1956 RCA CTC-5 is ALIVE!
 

Finished the recap of my CTC-5 the other day. Now I am fighting the extreme learning curve of doing a color setup for the first time. My first two shots at it took place over the last 2 days. First attempt was awful, but second attempt has yielded decent results. Have to work on the purity again, but convergence is decent. Not perfect but not too bad for never having done one before. Happy with the recap and general functioning of the set so far. Progressing photos below.

Also video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mrmr4OLePU

a tip, do the Purity setup BEFORE the convergence, they interact. Also let it warm up for at least 20 min. The deluxe chassis has that odd convergence that uses DC for the static (electromagnetic vs PM)derived from the cathode circuit of the horz out IIRC. Nice in that you can do the static with pots (if they are still good) from the front of the chassis, but seems like it would go out of static as the tube aged.

Yep, gonna redo the setup this weekend. Think I get better each time as I keep re-reading the service literature and understand what I am doing more each time.

Degauss
Purity
Convergence

Learning as I go. I was looking for the convergence cluster adjustable magnets and then realized the CTC-5 convergence is done mostly with the controls on the front. Except for the blue lateral magnet on CRT neck. Thought I was missing something when I saw a lot of other early color sets with these adjustable magnets on the convergence cluster. It's a slow, steady, learning experience that's for sure. But fun!

Great work Al. That CRT looks as good a new one.

Make sure you degauss it first. I did one ages ago but did not mess with those little magnets around the CRT edge.

It probably don't need it, but I always degauss sets that don't have an internal degausser.

If all adjustments are off to start with I tend to rough in purity and static convergence iteratively till both are perfect then after that go after the dynamic if needed.

CRT is a red bell rebuild. Dated 1968. Tests BRAND NEW!

Hint for convergence & purity on ALL sets.
Rough things in.
Degauss & do purity.
Turn the bright & contrast down a little & adj focus for
smallest dots.
Ignore everything but the center.
For center just picture arrows at 3 angles & the blue lat a side to side arrow.
It can all fall into place in seconds.
When doing the edges go back & forth with the center, they interact.
Always give the set a good warm up, the shadow mask can distort
over time. NEVER expect perfection !

The set looks good already, well done !

73 Zeno:smoke:

The edge magnets were made for the 21AXP22 CRT. If you have a 21" FB/FJ CRT, be sure to back the magnets all the way out, or better yet, remove them. That way they will have no affect on the purity. Just grab the knurled knob on each magnet and pull straight out. You have a nice set. I used to own one and it was very reliable, but converging it was a bear.
Have fun.
Phil

That's the AXP I got from you :)

Lessee what one of these "Video Display Devices"-One shudders to call 'em TELEVISIONS look like in 60 years...

Getting some great set up tips.
Nice your CTC-5 "Arliss" has the rare factory UHF. While not of any use now, it is a bonus. Just FYI, posting the UHF instructions for the CTC-5 Deluxe models.

-Steve D.

after all these years,there is still something magical about a vintage set like this.just to see one still around but actually working is exciting.beautiful colors and real wood cabinets.this is when we made a real product that stood the test of time

You know I hear this a lot, but I see a LOT of electronics made in the 70's, 80's and 90's that are still going strong, and this is 20, 30, 40+ years later. They too are withstanding the test of time.

yes!especially zenith sets from the 70s.you can have anything after 1980

I always thought it was the goal of consumer electronics designers to figure out how to make something last til no more than a week longer than the last payment was...