Enthusiast looking for a specific part - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Mikey3606 · #1 10-13-2026, 05:23 PM

Hi,
I am new to this vintage CRT thing. I just started last year.
I am looking for a 19ABP4 Picture tube for a 1960 Philco: Chassis 12J28A / 12J28AU, Model No. K3244SA Portable TV.

I got from Higgins In-Home TV & Big Screen Repair in Milwaukee. He had completely refurbished the set prior to my purchase, but he did inform me that the previous owner left it there because he wasn't happy with the tube output. (dim picture). I took a chance on it and came back with a rejuvenator, but to no avail. We bought a BK Model 466 rejuvenator for him to use. We had given him the specs, and all the setup charts as well as the tube adaptor. Mr. Higgins and I were both disappointed, but I guess this is the way it goes sometimes. I DO NOT blame him. He's been at this for over 40 years. Is there anyone that could help me source a new/replacement tube? I'd really hate to see such an otherwise great set go to the recycler. It's for my son, who is really into vintage CRTs/TV's (he already owns a vintage Toshiba CF3275K. It's a power swivel tv with a Carver amplifier - great set!). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Username1 · #2 10-13-2026, 06:40 PM

.

You can check this list every few months,

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...18&single=true

It belongs to the vintage television museum https://www.earlytelevision.org/

You will also have to ask G about substitutions for your original. I think you
can get a substitution book at the museum's website look under resources
old books - they have a few....

Check this book pg 91 & up. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BO...ume-4-1962.pdf

And this one. https://www.earlytelevision.org/pdf/rca_hb3_pic.pdf

You might have to pick one that is close physically -

Or you can wait for another similar tv to come along
and buy it and hope it's got a better tube....

As for your old original, you can try a brightner
you'll have to figure out which one to get and
they are on ebay for $20. or so....

We all have sets waiting
on a stronger tube...

Good Luck!

.

Mikey3606 · #3 10-15-2026, 11:15 PM

Hello Squirrel Boy I just wanted to say thanks for the info I'll be keeping an eye out on those links. Unfortunately the tech had told me that the tube is just done, the rejuvenation didn't help at all. In fact the emissions from the gun actually got worse. There is no direct replacement because the heater in this 19ABP4 runs at 2.68 volts; the only 19" tube to run at such low voltage. Unfortunately the Philco Town and Country is just so cramped inside that it'd even be difficult to find a place to wire in a transformer to use a different tube. Once again thanks for your response and for your help.

Electronic M · #4 Yesterday, 10:26 PM

If it's a series heater set you don't need a transformer or any modifications to run a higher voltage heater... Provided that the heater current ratings of both tubes are the same. If it has parallel heaters and a power transformer you can harvest 6.3V from the signal tube winding... Either way it's doable, and probably more practical than holding out for a 2.68V part.

A few years ago I took a series heater Philco Predicta Tandem and swapped the 600mA 2.68V heater CRT for an otherwise equivalent CRT with a 6.3V 600mA heater, and it automatically got a 6.3V drop across its heater.

Basically on a series heater set the sum of the heater voltages are supposed to be close to the design center wall outlet voltage and all have the same current rating. The which tube gets how much voltage is a function of the design resistance of the tube and the current. They designed those sets to put up with at least a 15℅ low or high wall outlet voltage, and back in the 50s the assumed average wall voltage was 117V... Today assumed average wall voltage is 120V the extra 4V the tube soaks up should compensate for today's higher line voltage perfectly.

If your TV tech doesn't understand series circuits well enough to realize this then I would be hesitant to let him work on ANYTHING I own. The principles and properties of series and parallel circuits are almost as basic and fundamental to any electrical system as ohms law... A TV repair man not knowing them is like a fish that doesn't know how to swim.