View Full Version : 1963 Silvertone "Selectra"


jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 02:30 PM
Hey all,

It's great to be back! Unfortunately, my first time back on these forums after a brief hiatus is marred by tragedy:tears:. After a fairly heated conversation with some friends, I was feeling a bit upset. Wait, not a bit upset, EXTREMELY upset. So I decided to drive down to the local flea market (It just happened to be a Sunday) and peruse the stalls. Luckily, (or maybe not!) there was a dealer with a fair amount vintage electronics. I immediately spotted the Silvertone at the back of the stall and proceeded to negotiate, then purchase the damn thing. In my irrational state I wasted a whole weeks pay, which, as a 16 year old working an administrative position at a summer camp, is approximately 250 wing wangs. Worst part is, I'm unable to find any information on the set (dating it using model number) or the type of batteries the remote takes. Any help is appreciated. By the way, the guy claimed the set was "restored". Cabinet's in perfect shape, and it seems to work fine with no noticeable hum, so I'll leave it be. Thoughts or opinions welcome.
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https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=b6752aa09a&view=att&th=13f77946def2efb6&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8fBw8acVVl9lF-GWtVFn6G&sadet=1372102027225&sads=NcnGHULpuuSE6vZ53LOWMQlYfHU
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=b6752aa09a&view=att&th=13f77966714285a2&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8fBw8acVVl9lF-GWtVFn6G&sadet=1372102058794&sads=GFe-AGKoRUhIT6OXeuKQMrHsJ2E
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=b6752aa09a&view=att&th=13f7793bcdffca8e&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8fBw8acVVl9lF-GWtVFn6G&sadet=1372102088744&sads=sawmPMXsV3WBbrudofzL6l5cPGE

David Roper
06-24-2013, 03:04 PM
Could you possibly upload your pictures directly to VK? The picture tags won't work with the urls you're using.

PaulOF
06-24-2013, 03:05 PM
Hi,
Can you tell us the model number?
Paul

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 03:20 PM
Yes, I will upload them, thanks for the notice.

@Paul, the model is 3114. I believe it is Sam's 651-3.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 03:24 PM
Here are the pictures:

David Roper
06-24-2013, 03:35 PM
That's a handsome set. :yes: If you peek inside it should be fairly easy to determine if the electrolytic caps have been replaced. This set is probably too new to have had any paper caps in it.

PaulOF
06-24-2013, 04:13 PM
I agree, that's an attractive set. I looks to me like that remote may take an N cell.

Our pubic library has a pretty good collection of sams photofacts. I would be happy to xerox 651-3, but it may be a bit before I get down there. It is also available from Sams website for direct download for 15 bucks. Let me know if you would like me to grab it from the library and I will add that to my todo list.
Paul

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 04:22 PM
Thanks Paul. I opened up the set, and it looks fairly clean in addition to being recapped. I probably wont be needing that Sams anytime soon, but I'll be sure to consult you when the time comes. With regards to the battery, I attempted to insert an "N" size battery, but it was slightly too small. Any ideas? Long lost battery size? :-) Also, can anyone provide some information on the "Selectra" line? Thanks for all the great responses!

Best regards,
Jacob Shtulman

Jon A.
06-24-2013, 04:35 PM
A battery-powered ultrasonic remote from '63? Man, that sort of thing must be rare. I saw a remote like that on eBay recently, funny how they look so big in pictures. I only realized how small this one is when I saw the pic of it with the AA battery sitting on it.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 04:39 PM
I was just as surprised as you are, KV. The nifty remote has a little holder on the set too! Rather interesting when all Ive dealt with are the space command line.

WISCOJIM
06-24-2013, 04:46 PM
The battery for that is 4.2 volts, Silvertone part # 6415.

Subs are:

Burgess H163

Eveready E163

Mallorty TR163

.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 04:49 PM
Thank you so much! I will work on obtaining a suitable replacement. Any chance you can tell me some additional information about either the set or remote? Once again, thank you!

Adam
06-24-2013, 04:54 PM
I don't think you can get those 4.2v batteries anymore, I looked for one for an RCA remote I have. I finally just taped 2 batteries in series to get 4.5v, which worked.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 05:37 PM
I think I'll just hook up 3 1.5 volt batteries in series, maybe stick a washer at the end. When I was browsing, I actually came across your thread from 2009! Still enjoying that, what was it, CTC 11?

Steve K
06-24-2013, 05:46 PM
Jacob:

In case you're interested, your set is pictured in the 1962 Fall & Winter Sears catalog. It is listed at $189.95.

Steve

WISCOJIM
06-24-2013, 05:46 PM
Thank you so much! I will work on obtaining a suitable replacement. Any chance you can tell me some additional information about either the set or remote? Once again, thank you!

You're welcome.

Once you get a copy of the Sam's, you'll know as much as I do about it.

.

Jon A.
06-24-2013, 06:06 PM
I think I'll just hook up 3 1.5 volt batteries in series, maybe stick a washer at the end. When I was browsing, I actually came across your thread from 2009! Still enjoying that, what was it, CTC 11?
Dumb question maybe, but you're speaking of watch batteries, right?

Another possible solution, the 1/2 AA size batteries meant for memory backup in Macintosh computers, along with a spacer of some kind. They're rather pricey though, and rated at 3.6 volts, so I don't know.

rcaman
06-24-2013, 06:31 PM
great score even if you had spent two weeks pay on the set. me likes very much. steve

Adam
06-24-2013, 06:36 PM
I used to have a remote CTC-10, but now I have a CTC-9 which uses the same remote, which is that set ^ up there.

That longer battery in my remote is 3v, the smaller battery under the tape is 1.5v.

That's a cool looking set, I've never seen a Silvertone with a remote before.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 07:03 PM
Thanks Steve! You know, now I'm sort of glad I came to purchase this set. It looks quite nice sitting atop my 1956 Grundig Majestic.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 07:04 PM
Yeah, neither have I. My question is, how come there is so little information on the internet regarding Silvertone televisions post-1960? Seems odd.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 07:06 PM
@KV
Actually, they're thicker and heavier than watch batteries. A640's, I think, is what they're called if you're interested.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 07:33 PM
I'm searching through the 1962 Sears Christmas catalogue, but I can't seem to find it. Steve, maybe you misread the date? Don't have a '63 on me. I am so happy with all the help I've received. I had almost forgotten how awesome this forum was!

Steve K
06-24-2013, 07:38 PM
It's in the Fall and Winter big catalog not the Christmas catalog. Usually the Christmas catalogs only showed a few sets.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 07:56 PM
Would you mind scanning the page and PM'ing it to me? I would love to have it sitting by the TV. I completely understand if you can't.

Phil Nelson
06-24-2013, 08:56 PM
My question is, how come there is so little information on the internet regarding Silvertone televisions post-1960? Seems odd.Internet information doesn't write itself. Someone has to collect it (or write it from scratch) and then make a home for it.

Apart from service manuals, I doubt you'll find much about any post-1960 TVs. Collectors are generally interested in earlier TVs--prewar and 1940s sets, especially. Interest fades rapidly as you enter the 1950s except for a few special models. Even more so, for the later decades.

Maybe you can be the first to research post-1960 Silvertone TVs and write about them :)

Phil Nelson

Steve K
06-24-2013, 09:31 PM
Jacob:

Unfortunately the picture and description of your model is near the inside crease of the catalog and being so thick it will be hard to get on the scanner without breaking the binding. I'll see what I can do however.

Steve

Charlie
06-24-2013, 09:43 PM
That's a very nice set! That's quite a find.

Regarding your battery, check out camera flash batteries... there was one that was 4.5 volts... I used one to replace a 4.2 volt mercury battery in a Hoffman Trans-Solar radio. The replacement was smaller in diameter compared to the original mercury battery, so I wrapped electric tape around it to fatten it up and it work like a champ.

Battery numbers 531 and 523 are both 4.5 volts. They one is about 50 mm long, and the other is 56 mm long. The 531 battery uses connections like a 9 volt. There may be other battery sizes that will be similar.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 09:58 PM
You guys will be happy to know that the set is functioning happily hooked up to Direct-TV. Too bad there's 10,000 channels and not a single one carries anything worth watching.

Charlie
06-24-2013, 10:11 PM
I recognize your "wireless" TV signal receiver. I have one of those... hooked up to a '57 Philco right now. Works pretty good as long as you don't get the trans / recv too far apart from one another.

bgadow
06-24-2013, 10:42 PM
I agree with Phil, somebody needs to study and write this stuff, and it might as well be you! Post your findings on VK, it shows up easily on google searches.

I used to explore a TV dump in the woods, put there by a retired Sears tech. I remember several sets like this in the pile. The remote really makes this one, very rare.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 11:40 PM
Yes, I feel that I'm obligated to collect this information and preserve it for future generations. Ill continue coming to this forum and describing all the tvs which come into my possession, and list the ones I currently own.

jshtulman1
06-24-2013, 11:44 PM
@ Charlie
I find those receivers pretty convenient for places without enough space for a DVR. Decent performance, too.

Kevin Kuehn
06-25-2013, 10:43 AM
Agree that's a really attractive looking set. I think some of the early 60's sets will have great collecting potential in the upcoming years. 60's electronics were still made reasonable well(at least by today's standards), and the CRT's are generally more widely available and have better brightness and contrast. IMO that make them fun sets to collect and watch.

Electronic M
06-25-2013, 08:57 PM
It looks like the yoke needs to be rotated a few degrees...

jshtulman1
06-26-2013, 12:51 AM
Yeah, I noticed that too. Playing the 1st season of friends, though, which takes up the whole screen as opposed to the Direct-Tv, looks fine. Besides, touching a deflection yoke, with all those big coils and wires, feels like its going to turn me into a piece of burnt toast lol.

Charlie
06-26-2013, 10:03 AM
Besides, touching a deflection yoke, with all those big coils and wires, feels like its going to turn me into a piece of burnt toast lol.

Just scrape off the burnt part with a knife... no one will ever know! :D