'49 Admiral TV/radio/phono combo - Videokarma.org TV - Video

radiotvnut · #1 03-23-2009, 08:17 PM

I bought this for $125 (I probably paid too much) today. Cabinet still looks decent except for some minor scratches and it still has all the tags and instruction book. B&W's of this age are almost impossible to find in my area.

Phil Nelson · #2 03-23-2009, 09:07 PM

Looks like you have hours of enjoyment ahead of you.

It's always cool to find original documentation like that. The little pink pamphlet suggests that they might have bought it on an installment plan (?). Says something like, "please return this book with your payments."

Phil Nelson

jonboy55 · #3 03-23-2009, 09:12 PM

Great looking set.

You're lucky that it came with all the knobs. They are not easy to find.

Is that the 20B1 chassis? Which CRT does it have?

Tony V · #4 03-23-2009, 09:15 PM

Admirals of this era respond well to restoration and will reward you with many hours of reliable service. I hope you'll post details when you decide to work on it. Nice find!
-Tony

radiotvnut · #5 03-23-2009, 10:08 PM

I can tell you this much so far. There is a brightner hanging off the CRT. It's a round glass tube and I think it's a 12". I'll check further when I can dig into it.

radio63 · #6 03-23-2009, 11:17 PM

Wow, I have this same set! Bought mine in 1981 at Goodwill for $8.00!! The set I have came with almost all of the same paperwork you have. My set needs restoration but that will a project for a later time. It does have a 12" CRT. The CRT in my set worked when I first got it, but it finally died. The radio worked last time I tried it several years ago. It will be a fun project to work on. Having the paperwork makes it even better. Keep us posted as you progress with it.

Gilbert

radiotvnut · #7 03-24-2009, 04:52 PM

Well, I have bad news to report. The CRT has an open filament. I have not found a type number yet; but, from my other readings on this set, I'm guessing it's a 12LP4. Now, when I obtain some $, I've got to start looking for a tube. What should I expect to pay for a 12LP4 and are they hard to find? I did resolder the filament pins without luck. That dang brightener probably had something to do with this!

BTW, the chassis number is 20B1 and it's a model 30F16.

jonboy55 · #8 03-24-2009, 05:30 PM

According to the information in the Rider TV manuals some of the 20B1 chassis use a 12BP4 CRT. If you can also use this CRT it may make your search for a replacement CRT easier.

radiotvnut · #9 03-24-2009, 06:24 PM

I decided to unsolder the base just to make sure the wires were OK. It's now confirmed that the filament is open. The base is marked 12LP4 and is branded National Video Corp. of Chicago. The writing is faded and I didn't see it until I removed the base. Now, the hunt is on for some money and then a 12LP4. I hope I don't run into any more hard to find bad parts with this one!

radiotvnut · #10 03-24-2009, 10:10 PM

OK, I fired it up (on a variac at low voltage, of course) and the main filter cap started spewing it's guts at about half-normal AC input. Now, had I been the average person and fired this thing up from 120 volts, I would have probably fried a power transformer. I was hoping that the electrolytics would still be somewhat good so I could get some indications (HV, audio) from the TV so that I'd know where I stand before buying a CRT. I'll replace the electrolytics in the power supply and try again.

I might have some fun with this TV when I fix it. I know a bunch of people in their 20's and 30's and most all of them think expensive HD TV's are the only way to go. I think I'll invite them to a super bowl party next year. I won't tell them beforehand what they'll be watching it on.

bgadow · #11 03-24-2009, 10:31 PM

Ha, that might be your last football party!

There was a local junque store that had one of these; funny thing was every time I'd go in there I would ask about it and the price was always different, sometimes up, sometimes down. Range was $85-135. I kicked myself often for not buying it (at any price.) Now if I found it I wouldn't have room so it wouldn't matter. This will be a good set...I like working on 'em.

jeyurkon · #12 03-24-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Well, I have bad news to report. The CRT has an open filament. I have not found a type number yet; but, from my other readings on this set, I'm guessing it's a 12LP4. Now, when I obtain some $, I've got to start looking for a tube. What should I expect to pay for a 12LP4 and are they hard to find? I did resolder the filament pins without luck. That dang brightener probably had something to do with this!

BTW, the chassis number is 20B1 and it's a model 30F16.

That's hard to answer. They seem to becoming more scarce. Maybe one will show up at the ETF auction. I paid about $40 for two. One I knew to be really weak and I thought the other would be weak, but acceptable. Both had more serious problems than indicated, but I was happy to have duds to get rebuilt.

5AXP4's seem to show up fairly often and are inexpensive. You might get one just to check out the set before making a more serious investment if you have to go for a rebuilt CRT.

John

Dan Starnes · #13 03-25-2009, 02:14 PM

I love the combo's like that, great score.
Dan

jonboy55 · #14 03-25-2009, 02:49 PM

By the way, Video Display Corporation does sell 12LP4 CRT's and other replacement CRT's but they are very expensive. A 12LP4 is $239.

http://vdc.mybisi.com/

jeyurkon · #15 03-25-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy55

By the way, Video Display Corporation does sell 12LP4 CRT's and other replacement CRT's but they are very expensive. A 12LP4 is $239.

http://vdc.mybisi.com/

Yes, but they've been showing zero in stock. $239 wouldn't be bad if it's NOS or rebuilt. I had to pay $270 to get one rebuilt.

John