Scored a Motorola 9L1

[bandersen]

These are the pictures from the craigslist ad. It's still out in the garage. I'll take a closer look tonight.

So far, I know the back and the strap that holds the antenna inside the cover are missing. Otherwise, it looks to be intact
I really hope the 8BP4 is good

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by bandersen

These are the pictures from the craigslist ad. It's still out in the garage. I'll take a closer look tonight.

So far, I know the back and the strap that holds the antenna inside the cover are missing. Otherwise, it looks to be intact
I really hope the 8BP4 is good

I think that tube is a lot rarer than the 7JP4. Is that CRT a Raytheon or a National Union. I'm trying to remember if any other manufacturer used it beside Motorola.

[David Roper]

Silvertone did for sure; I think there were a couple others.

[bandersen]

For sure the 8BP4 is rarer. I've got my fingers crossed!

The tolex (?) covering is dirty and faded. Perhaps a little cleaning will help.


The back is long gone and the feet have worn away.


All tubes are present except for a 12SN7. The original metal ballast is probably shot.


All the knobs, logo, safety glass and grille cloth are present and in good condition.
I also have the antenna, but the strap that holds it under the lid is gone. I'm not sure if these sets came with a metal antenna base like the 7" suitcase sets did.

[fox_rivers]

That's a purdy set. Nice score.

[Eric H]

Nice Score, I picked up one of these along with a 7" version off CL a few months ago, both tubes turned out to be really good.

CL has actually been more productive lately than eBay.

[dieseljeep]

According to the picture, the CRT is a Raytheon. What happened to the back?

[Sandy G]

IMHO, Ya Done GOOD ! And most importantly, another old veteran gets saved...

[bandersen]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I've been doing much better on the local craigslist than ebay lately too.

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

According to the picture, the CRT is a Raytheon. What happened to the back?

Yes, it sure is a Raytheon. I suspect the masonite back rotted away over time. Often these sets are left sitting with the handle pointing up and the back against the ground. The back feet are also worn away.

Now where am I gonna find a new antenna ball ?


8BP4 tests very good


Next a restored TS-4 chassis test.


Looking good


Time to pull the chassis and see what condition it's in.

[Kevin Kuehn]

Nice find. Looks like a very bright CRT.

If I'm not mistaken the 8BP4 is what's in my Arvin 8040T. Mine says GE on the connector. I was wondering what other sets used that CRT, now I know of two.

[bandersen]

There's also the bakelite Motorola 9T1 and wooden 9VT1. I wonder if there are any other

I pulled the knobs, unscrewed the feet, disconnected the speaker (one wire was already loose) and removed the chassis.


I think a 12SN7 is missing. What are the odds the ballast is good ?


I haven't seen this cardboard shield before. I suspect there was some arcing issues between the CRT neck and the metal box.


All the high voltage caps have been replaced, but the rest look original except for the green one.
The selenium rectifiers have been replaced too I think. Look how far they are sticking into the chassis - looks dangerous!


These should be film caps not ceramic. I've heard ceramic caps vary in capacitance as the voltage varies. That will distort the sawtooth waveforms on the deflection plates.


Remember - DO IT RIGHT!

[kvflyer]

Bob,

Congratulations on the Craigs List find. I have only gotten one thing from it; an RCA CTC-9C set from 1959.

I have the same chassis in what may be a mahogany cabinet. Someone painted the entire cabinet with textured, speckled paint. I bought it for the chassis. It too had an excellent testing picture tube so I was happy. Jury is still out as to what I am going to do with it. For sure, save it for parts since I have five VT-71 sets and only one has been restored so far.

[kvflyer]

Further notes...

All of my VT-71 sets have (or did have ) cardboard glued to the HV cover. I see that your set has a HV cover with a contour for the CRT. Mine does as well and I checked and the CRT is Raytheon also. While I have the ballast (untested), I am missing knobs so it would be a stretch to restore it.

[Reece]

Antenna ball: look around for superballs. I saw a lot of them lately in different small sizes at WallyWorld. If you can't match the original exactly, you could at least use two identical new ones, drill and JB Weld into place. Since they're superballs they would improve reception, pick up "skip".

[compucat]

The 8BP4 in my Motorola 9VT1 is a National Union installed in 1954. I can't belive the orginal picture tube only lasted five years. I recently refinished the cabinet on mine and reurned it to daily service. I really like the electrostatic sets, simple, reliable and fun.