Value of Predicta CRTs
 

I need some guidance folks. I have two Philco Seventeener III sets that are, well lets say "cosmetically deficient" among other problems and I've decided to part them out. The 17" CRT in one of them tests strong, the other is waking up - I'm letting it cook at 3.25v and it's working its way into the good range.

These are both 2.68v tubes and probably original to the sets - SF17 I think but I'll have to check again. What do y'all think is a fair asking price for each of them?

I just paid $150 for a good used 21" tube, it wasn't a correct Predicta tube but one with a longer neck that will sub.

I wouldn't hesitate to ask that much for the strong 17" tube on eBay, given what the Princess sets are selling for.
You can always take less if there are no takers.

The lesser tube maybe $25-$50 if it's useable.

VK members should be offered a substantial discount of course. :D

I think I saw that rebuilt 21" tube. Lasted less than an hour with a BIN as I recall.
I'll raise my hand for a good 21" if anyone has one :)

Yeah, I'm gonna need a sub for a 21EAP4 for my Miss America set one day. Not worried about the length for that set.

After cooking the weaker tube all day, going back to 2.68v sent the meter back to about 30% on the scale. I guess it would be better than nothing, but it didn't wake up like it appeared it would.

If you have any that are NOT Philco tubes, the value should be much higher. The Philco-built SF17/17DRP4 was a terrible tube, and had a very bizarre sideways-mounted cathode in the gun. Sylvania made a 2.68v replacement which is much better, and even a cheapie rebuilt with a non-Philco gun would be a better bet...

Charles

Well, even though the label is gone from one of them I'm pretty sure both of them are Philco tubes, and both of them are reading around 30% now. The stronger one actually lost strength after being run at 2.6v for an hour. I guess they wouldn't be of any use to anyone after all.

It's easy to tell: If the cathode and filament are sitting sideways at the rear of the gun structure, it's a Philco. If it's all in line and facing out to the rear of the gun, like all other tubes, it's a non-Philco.

Charles

One can milk a picture out of a tube with nearly 0 emission, and for those with tubes that ARE too dead to display a picture or light, a tube with only 30% emission will be a tremendous improvement over what they have. As the few NOS ones left finish coming out of the wood work, and given that the last (over seas)rebuilder is closing, soon it will not be uncommon (if it ain't already) for collectors to be happy to even have a weak tube that is still capable of displaying a picture.

Charles - I'll have to look closely at it this weekend. I didn't know about that.

I'll hang onto the CRTs - you're right, someone could use them I'm sure.