Dumont RA-103D

[Crist Rigott]

Guys,
I just got this TV but haven't seen it in person. My brother is picking it up for me.
I've never restored a Dumont before so what do i need to look out for? I know they have lots a capacitors and resistors.

[Phil Nelson]

The Dumont RA-103 is one of my favorite vintage TVs. Well engineered! Here are some restoration notes on my Meadowbrook:

http://antiqueradio.org/DuMontRA-103Television.htm

That's an "original recipe" RA-103. Your RA-103D is in the Rumson cabinet:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/dumont_...n_ra_103d.html

I think the "D" model has a couple of different tubes & sundry other changes, but isn't radically unlike the RA-103. Download the Sams manual here:

http://www.earlytelevision.org/tv_sc...ams_b-c-d.html

As for weak spots, you won't find many. The focus pot is troublesome on some early DuMonts. The tuner mechanism is a little complicated, but the tuners are usually fine after you remove the old petrified grease and clean/relube everything. If the tuner feels stiff when you get your set, don't force it!

Regards,

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

[David Roper]

That's not a 103D. The 103 has 12" tube; your set has a 15" tube. If memory serves (and I can almost make it out on the tag) your model is an RA-104.

[DavGoodlin]

I thought that looked bigger than my RA-103 Savoy console, from which I sold the 12" CRT to another VK member could restore his doghouse 103.

[Crist Rigott]

Originally Posted by David Roper

That's not a 103D. The 103 has 12" tube; your set has a 15" tube. If memory serves (and I can almost make it out on the tag) your model is an RA-104.

David,
I think you're right! We'll know for sure when the TV is picked up. Now lets hope the CRT is good.

[Crist Rigott]

I'm pretty sure it is a RA-104 Hastings set. Look at the back panel. You can see it is bulged. I think it was made this way to accommodate the 15 inch CRT. I think the 12 inch RA-103 Rumson uses a flat panel.

Riders 3-1 lists the back panel part numbers:

RA-103 12 Inch Rumson as 32000506
RA-104 15 inch Hastings as 32000671

So that pretty much confirms that this set is a RA-104 Hastings with a 15 inch CRT and a bulged back panel.

[kramden66]

The D has two 6x4 tubes for bias or some such thing.
Some have complained about the relay switch that prevents the b+ from surging through , the 103 and 103d that I restored in the past neither gave me trouble with that relay.