Thanks to everyone who helped me with information regarding this set-
This was my second project, and actually took twice the time and money that the large Magnavox theatre console took!
Replaced all the caps, and so far, the original tubes seem all okay.
This was lots of fun, and sounds and views near perfect.

I was back and forth about changing the original color, but the paint was pretty worn anyway, so I thought I'd choose a color I was going to like;
I just didn't like that original redish brown.
I stayed with the same off white/Ivory color for the top, and thought the blue was kind of a vintage looking blue.
I also redid the stand it came with, and I don't think the set would look as cool without it!

Again, thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer many of my sometimes obvious questions, I am learning more everyday,
and couldn't get these done without all the help!

Magnavox300

Nice job and a great choice of color!
I wouldn't be surprised if that model originally came in a color similar to that.

The knobs cleaned up nicely, as well as the inside.
This sat in a basement for many years, as you can see.

Very nice!! Like the color too!

Tight areas to work in during capacitor replacements!
Back cover cleaned up nicely.

Found a "Sharpie" oil based gold paint pen, that I was able to do the Admiral logo with; Used a magnifying glass; It was nerve racking,
but I thought it came out just like the original, thank God.
The picture is very clear, had to do lot's of adjustments first.

A shot after wet sanding with 400 grit...
Everything painted, and ready to reassemble..

Finally, just as an interesting item, I really liked the stand.
It was originally brass coated, but was pretty worn, so I went for a flat black finish.
Kept the side pieces brass since they did polish up.
Hard to believe the casters were brass, with the company logo stamped into them! The clear plastic wheels were very thick, and looked like new after being cleaned up.

Things were better when made in the good old USA!!!

Thanks again everyone!

Magnavox300

That came out super, and what a fifties color scheme! It's perfect, reminds me of record parties at girl friend's houses!

The only thing I'D worry about is the Stand...I remember those kinds of stands to be kinda wobbly, & "Rikky-Tikky"-Easily toppled. Like the blue better than that red, too. Great Job !

Excellent job :tresbon:
I looked through my master list of all Admiral models and although this model was not offer in turquoise and white, other Admirals portables definitely were.

P17E31 - Silver
P17E32 - Bronze
P17E33 - Red and White
P17E34 - Brown and Beige
P17E35 - Black Leatherette

Looks great! I have a Brown GE I was thinking about doing the same thing to it.

Did you try running it without the CRT brightener?
If it works without it I would remove it to extend the life of the tube, or perhaps it's just an isolation transformer?

Looks great! My daughter the interior designer would like your room decor, and color choices. :D Nice Maggie in the background, too!
kevin

Very nice!! Like the color too!
Thanks!

Did you try running it without the CRT brightener?
If it works without it I would remove it to extend the life of the tube, or perhaps it's just an isolation transformer?

Glad you asked!
What in the world is that brightener?
I was wondering if I could just take it out?
What did they do?
I suppose the repairman installed it at some point?
Now that you said it would extend the tube life by removing it, I think it's going to go!!
Will it just come out, and is the original plug is in the bottom of the brightener?

Thanks
Magnavox300

Yes, it is on the bottom of the brightner.

You may find that picture is darker when you turn it back on.

Good luck with it. Looks really nice.

Perhaps a gun cleaning will freshen the CRT? after the brightners removed?

Sweet lookin set, I have 2 emersons an RCA and a sparton i hope to get to one day as soon as i master capacitor ordering and subbing.. Might have the ball based antenna you need.... have to check my tv piles... Meanwhile the 69 mach in the driveway is callin me for restoration as well..... BRAVO on the Admiral :D

SR

Glad you asked!
What in the world is that brightener?


A brightener is a small boost transformer that bumps the heater voltage to the CRT up a bit from 6.3 volts to 7.5-8.0 volts or so.

The purpose was to squeeze a little more time out of a tired CRT, if you remove it you may find the tube is weak enough to be unwatchable, it really depends on how weak it was when it was put on.

Some people have found brighteners on perfectly good tubes, perhaps put there by an unscrupulous repairman or a clueless set owner so hopefully your tube is good.

Running a good tube with a brightener will shorten it's life by running the gun hotter than it should be.

The other possibility is it's being used as an isolation transformer because the tube has a heater to cathode short, the transformer will isolate the heater so it won't affect the cathode circuit.

In any case I would try it without, if it still looks good then leave it off.

Excellent job :tresbon:
I looked through my master list of all Admiral models and although this model was not offer in turquoise and white, other Admirals portables definitely were.

P17E31 - Silver
P17E32 - Bronze
P17E33 - Red and White
P17E34 - Brown and Beige
P17E35 - Black Leatherette

Thanks for taking the time to check!-
Nice to have the "Master List!"
Let me know when you finish your 31!

Magnavox300

On the two of these that I restored electronically, I was barely able to get the new electrolytic caps behind the chassis and leave the disconnected originals in place. Not fun. My sets have a clear rubber sleeve on the metal surrounding the CRT plastic implosion protective cover. This seems to be missing on your set. Was it removed? Mine have shrunk in time and do not look that good, I may remove it. I have not re-painted my sets, but do need to re-paint one of them, a red and cream one. The cream portion has quite a bit of rust. In Texas, I will need to wait till winter to paint it, the heat and humidity here are so high in summer, that the paint does not dry correctly. Luckily winters are mild here.

I was lucky in the the two sets that I restored have usuable CRTS without a brightener. One checks a little week but was usable. The third one of these that I have is solid grey, but has a completely dead(no meter movement) CRT and is missing the back. It has a very restorable case, so I hope to find a parts set someday.

I noticed that your yoke cover was in far better condition than mine(which fell apart). I made one from styrene plastic,hole cutters, dremmel tools, and glue. It does not look that good, but works. I know the celluloid plastic used to make these originally falls apart with age, possibly it fails faster in a hot climate. I saw a very nice yoke cover made on a VideoKarma thread, but the person that made it had access to a lathe.

I am now making a yoke cover for a late 1950s portable RCA set that I am restoring. Disentigrating yoke covers are common for 1950s RCA sets.

Great job!

What a transformation :yes: Looks really nice, the colour scheme really suits it too. I'm also a fan of the old Twilight Zone series and watching episodes on one of my vintage TV's at the moment :) The set in my avatar.
Cheers Glen