New to this particular forum.....
 

And I was wondering if someone might have some information on an old B & W TV that I just picked up at an auction. It is a Sentinel model # 1U712T. It looks to have about a 17 or 18" picture tube with a wood frame around it that goes back about an inch deep. Then it turns into a metal shroud (with fake wood vinyl) that goes the rest of the way to the back. It came with the original stand (wood base and legs on clear-plastic castors). This thing looks like it was in a time warp and is in "like new" condition. The lady who owned it was 90 years old and just passed away a couple of weeks ago. Her whole estate, including her house that she was born in, and inherited, just went up for auction today and I live right next door, so I meandered over. She had a couple of old tube radios as well, but those went for quite a bit. The TV on the other hand, was more of a bargain, so I snapped it up. That thing weighs a ton! So, any info I can get on this set would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,
Retro

Hello Retro and welcome to the forum!
The schematic for your set is a Sams 262-11 published in 1955 so your set is probably a 54 or 55 model.

I don't know much more about it than that other than Sentinel is a bit of an odd brand and not seen too much other than the suitcase sets.

We would love to see it, any chance of a picture or two?

Eric

Hey Eric,
Thanks for the info. I'll bring it in this weekend and snap a few pics for everyone. I'll also plug it in and see if it fires up.


Retro

Hi Retro......let me be the first to warn you about "just plugging it in and turning it on"......old electronics that have been dormant for a long time should NEVER be awoken without some precautions.

If you are familiar with electronics in general then you may already be aware of this, but I'll try and hit the highlights and let the experts to fill in the details. Old capacitors can dry out and end up shorted which can cause potentially major damage when you blast current thru them.....there's a method to "soft start" the set that will tell you if you may have a problem or not before you wreck the poor ol gal.

Please let us know what, if any, electronics background you already have so we don't insult or confuse you. :-)

Anthony

I haven't plugged it in yet so.... Electronics background? What's that? I guess that tells you where I'm at, so please help me out. I'm just assuming now, but would a soft start entail turning it on slowly through some sort of a transformer?


Retro

Sorta kinda. You limit the voltage by one of several methods. There's something called a Variac which is like a oversized light switch dimmer.....another way is to install a light bulb in line of an extension cord....if the light lights brightly as you turn on the set then you have a big short ciruit in the TV.

Do a search within this site and you'll find plently of references to this procedure......it's a little more involved than I've touched upon.

Anthony