GE TV Found in the Attic

[jwharris]

I posted about this when I first found it in the attic but I had it in the wrong forum. No one was really sure what it was or what year it is from but I have some pictures with the back off and was hoping I could get some info and help about it.











The picture tube is a 23FVP4A and there is a sticker on the chassis that says Cat. No. ET10X60. The model # is M-730DWD and the serial # is OD2E 11634.

I am wondering if this would be practical to even try to restore. In the other thread there were people who said GE tended to make lower end products around this time and this would be one of them. I was just hoping to get some opinions from the community so I can make a decision on what to do with it. I also have no testing equipment so I can't test anything in it.

Thanks,
Jason

[jwharris]

The SAMS # is 946-2 but I don't want to pay $22 if I am not going to be doing anything with this TV.

[marty59]

On the inside of the cabinet back there may be a schematic attached.
I've got an older model similar to your set with the same "letter designation" chassis. I'm not near it at the moment to verify but should you wish to continue doing something with yours I may have some parts for you.

Don't be surprised if the CRT is on the weak side...

There are other sources out there for a schematic...here's one for you.

http://www.vintage-electronics.com/

[Eric H]

You can probably get the Sams for about $8 from here:
http://www.vintage-electronics.com/index.htm

That set is new enough I'd probably just plug it in and see what happens, watching closely for smoke or sparks of course.

It's pretty much worthless as far as dollar value, (I just bought two nice mid 60's 23" B&W consoles for $5 each), but it could be fun to get going again.
If the CRT is good then a recap would probably do it.

As far as quality it's probably mid level for that era, at least it has a transformer.

[radiotvnut]

I see a '68 date code on the CRT. I also see that it uses a power transformer; so, it was probably one of their better B&W sets from that era. Actually, this is the first GE B&W set that I've seen from the late '60's that had a power transformer.

It may be worth restoring; but, make sure the CRT is good and try to make sure that the transformers (power and flyback, for sure) are good. If any of these parts are bad, you may wind up with a lot of money in this set, if you can even find the parts. If all the major components are OK and the cabinet looks OK, I'd go for it.

[Eric H]

Marty59, beat me to the Vintage Electronics link by a bit!

[compucat]

That is an attractive set with a clean, simple design. I would definitely try to fix it up. Being a 23" set it probably doesn't take up too much room either. Don't junk it. I just hate to see vintage electronics go to the scrap heap. I wish I could rescue every old radio and TV I find but I know my wife would never let be bring that much "junk" into the house. That is a good looking set, though. Is that slide switch on the back of the chassis for instant on? If it is, the picture tube may be used up. Check it out and let us know.

[jwharris]

It is an Insta View TV but when I found it, the switch was in the off position so I am hoping someone was smart enough to leave it that way when they weren't watching.

[old_coot88]

There were some B&W GEs of around that vintage that had the propensity of popping the video detector diode. Replace the diode and it would pop again within a month or two. The cure was to put a 560 (or 680) ohm resistor in series with the diode. If by chance your set has no video, the diode is the first thing I'd check. Bill(oc)

[bgadow]

I have enough spare Sams Photofacts to choke a billy goat! Let me know if you need it, I probably have that one. Lotsa tubes, too.

If it were me, if I had the space I'd keep it. These sets have been "worthless" for a long time but there isn't anything wrong with them. That looks like a decent chassis. This set would be great for watching bw movies.

[ctc17]

I agree, its a cool set and you should spend some time on it. Like said first test the crt even if you have to find someone local with a tester. Keep a feel on the big aluminum filter cap if you plug it in. If it starts getting warm unplug it and let it cool off. A few cycles and the caps usually wake up.

[Carmine]

I'm going to give you some contrary advice...

If someone bothered to haul that thing up to an attic, it probably works. B&W tvs are pretty simple, so if it were me, I'd probably just blow some of the dust out with the other end of a vacuum cleaner, plug it in with the back off (keeping your hands out!) and give it a try. Might take as long as a minute to produce a picture.

If it smokes, sparks, (a little static-electricity noise is normal at start up) or does anything else abnormal, then just shut her down. As was suggested above, you can put your fingers on the electrolytic cans after it's run for a bit and see if they feel hot. If they do, you can get into some more advanced trouble shooting.

What you've been told here (and in the previous thread) is technically correct, but I think some of the guys were so overly cautious as to turn you off completely. If I hadn't just fired-up a few TVs as soon as I got them home from the curb on trash day, I'm sure I wouldn't have a more "advanced" interest today.

[holmesuser01]

I like the later Compactron sets from GE. Try it out and see what it does!