Got this Philco Predicta (Holiday I think TV.
Missing the inner knob on the front - it is Tone Conrol?
What does it look like so I know what to find?

On the side I'm missing what might be its antenna I guess.
Any source for the antenna?

It same with some brochures and documents on Predictas.

Cleaned up all the white fungus like stuff with Window Cleaner
and Novus 2. It has two big vertical scratches on the front screen.
Looks remarkably better after cleaning up.

Cabinet is in really nice condition.
A stand came with it - is it one used with this Predicta in its hey day?

Measured the diagonal of the Screen and its 21" to the inner mask
and 23" edge to edge.

Took the back cover off the CRT but could not see anything that
identifies what the CRT is.

The plastic back on the CRT is mint.

Not sure if this one is one I'm going to Trade, use as a static display
or attempt a full restoration. I've never even touched a Predicta before
this one but have restored some earlier tube TVs. I do recall from reading
posts in the past that there are a number of tips and helpful hints that
one should be aware of before proceeding with a restoration.

I love photos of other folks projects so here are some of this Predicta:

First thing you need to do is check the CRT, if it's good then the set is worth doing a restore on. All the little things can be found.

Beware that the CRT may be one with a low voltage heater so be careful testing it.

The brass legs aren't really a stand, they're part of the set.

The same chassis was used in the Predicta Pedestal (aka "barberpole") sets. This article has restoration notes that may be helpful:

http://antiqueradio.org/philc12.htm

As you'll read there, the big PC board is a pain to deal with. Predictas are prone to certain other problems, such as bad sockets, but other TVs have their weak points, too (didn't you replace a flyback on a Zenith porthole?). They do perform reasonably well when all is done . . . the challenge is getting there.

Here's a second Predicta article that's less directly relevant, but you might want to skim it, too:

http://antiqueradio.org/PhilcoH3412LPredictaTelevision.htm

I tried to be a little more thorough the second time around. As noted in that article, it's useful to get the original Philco factory service manual, in addition to the Sams Photofact (http://earlytelevision.org/pdf/Philco_G4242-Predicta-Holiday-Sams-439-1.pdf). The Philco manual has part numbers that match the numbers on the board, and some info not available in Sams.

If you know what to expect before you start, restoring a Predicta could be as fun as any other project. Two is enough for me, though.

You'll find more Predicta info in this forum's archives from bandersen , who has done multiple restorations. He may also have stuff on YouTube (I can't say for sure, since I'm allergic to YouTube).

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

Knobs look like this...
Inner knob is push on - push off power and volume... outer is contrast.

Your stand looks like it holds record albums, so I'd guess it belongs with a record player.

Believe this is the original stand for the Predicta tabletop TV.

-Steve D.

I believe that stand is way too wide (by about 2 inches) and not nearly deep enough ( by about 4 inches) for a 21 inch Predicta. :scratch2:
Hopefully, they had a different model for the 21", but I have never seen one.

jr

I'll test the CRT with my Sencore CR70.
What is the CRT part number?

Mine has a 21EAP4...BEWARE! low voltage heater.(2.34volts).

jr

21EAP4. The CRT and other tubes are listed in the article that I referenced earlier. My earlier post included a link to the Sams manual, as well.

Phil Nelson

Thanks guys. I like to have the wisdom of folks on this Forum
before I dig into it. Hate to tear something up unnecessarily.

Oh, that stand, missed that.:D

Those CRT's are notorious for early failure.
I had to pay dearly for a replacement for mine.

The 17" tabletop models from '59 had a factory stand option (made specifically for it), the 21" '58 tabletops did not. The exception is one model that substituted the "wire" legs for a rather plain wheeled cart:
http://www.farmmresearch.com/groups/pneuma/weblog/54677/images/56ac0.jpg
The stand that came with yours is a period style and about as fitting as you could find.

Hooked up my Sencore CR70 CRT Tester.
Initially completely dead at 2.35v Filament.

Read Bandersen stating that he surmised it was a 6v CRT by the
Filament current draw. Mine was drawing 17ma at 2.35v.
Courageously, I slowly cranked the voltage to 6.3v and the
filament draw was 90ma. Cutoff and Emission dead.

5 minutes at 6.3v Filament and at the Cutoff setting I could set the Cutoff
within the setting zone on the CR70 tester meter. Emission came up a little
but still deep in the red. When I switch back to Cutoff, it goes to zero and
leaving it at Cutoff for a few minutes it will rise to the settings on the meter.

Letting it bake at 6.3v Filament for a while.

Got any suggestions?

BTW, what is the CRT number for the 6v version of the 21EAP4 ?

I'm assuming my CRT is a 21FDP4 6v variant as opposed to the 21EAP4.

When I started testing this CRT was totally dead - zero Cutoff and zero Emissions.

I used the Auto Restore feature of the CR70 and brought "Lazarus" back to life.
Got good Cutoff setting and Emission deep into the Green.

Then I got a G1 Short.
So, I use the Remove G1 Short feature and got that fixed.
BTW, I had to run the Remove G1 Short feature about 5 times before I
got it cleared.

Filament current is still 90ma at 6.3v.

Right now my 21FDP4 is looking very good. I'm gonna let it bake for
a while to see it this holds.

Best to find a replacement. The restore/rejuvenate is very temporary fix.