Hello all, I picked up a CTC-53 Hotel Mural tv a few weeks ago. I am at work and can't remember the exact tube that's in it but I know it starts with 18. I have a spare 18VALP22 that looks the same but I don't know if it is interchangeable. The only difference between the two that I can see is the letters between "18" and "22", both are delta guns at the same deflection angle. Before I tear it all apart, I figured I'd check with the experts. I will check into the number on the bad tube when I get home. I could remember it until I wanted to post about it, figures:rolleyes:. If it will work, I think the set would be good as new. Then I will have two like new hotel sets with no burns, engraving ect. which I think is pretty rare as these sets led a hard life with no one really caring about them. Thanks!
Mark

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Thanks Andy, I'll check that too when I get home.

Well, it don't look good. I checked the focus voltage on both sets, the spare tube is in a parts tv that is operational enough to power up. The voltage there is 2.3 Kv and is from a focus divider and the RCA don't register on my meter so it's safe to say it won't work. The focus lead is wimpy on the RCA as well and comes from the PCB. The tube in the RCA is a 18VBDP22 and the spare is the 18VALP22. So now I'm on the lookout for the VBDP CRT. Oh well, it was worth checking. Thanks for the help Andy.

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It is the type that splits off the HV wire, I'm not sure of the blue gun position though. I will have to check when I get home from work, I'm getting ready to leave now. If the gun is in the right position, I'll give the swap a try. No matter what happens, both sets were free so no loss if if it don't work. I hope it does work however, it seems to me it would be an upgrade to the higher voltage focus. The donor set is a Philco Ford hotel set. I have another Philco Ford and the picture is beautiful. Maybe that sharp picture will cross over to the RCA if all goes well. I did try to restore then as a last resort rejuvenating the old CRT with my Sencore CR-70 tester. I always get great results with it except this time. Haven't tried the focus positions yet but that tube is really bad, the only gun working is the green, the other two are almost non existent.

I read somewhere that the inverted guns had to do with pincushion-I think that was it? On a smaller screen (mostly, smaller than this) they could get away without a correction circuit but it worked better if the blue was on bottom.

I have one or two junker CTC-53's, but shipping wouldn't be much fun. I'm guessing the focus doesn't draw much current. I have found some old (and small) bias supplies that were cheap. Maybe one could be wired in. I've never fooled with a focus divider but that seems like a reasonable way to go.

How hard do you think it would be to ship just the CRT Bryan? If it's a lot of trouble don't worry about it. I couldn't afford it till January anyway. I am super short on cash at the moment.