Got a VT-71 off eBay. - Videokarma.org TV - Video

***Eric H*** · #1 07-25-2011, 02:27 PM

I snagged this wreck of a Motorola VT-71 off eBay a week or so ago, $40 BIN so I figured it was worth taking a chance on.

Got here today in one piece, or at least in the same condition it left in.

The cabinet is a complete wreck, delaminated, falling apart, veneer shot, no problem, I expected that.

For my $40 (+$20 shipping) I got a complete set of knobs, a back, a front, a front lower strip, a bottom cover, a speaker, a nice chassis, and a (as yet untested) 7JP4.

I figure I've about broken even with the parts I have, if the CRT is good that'll put me way over the top!
It had the melted mask holding the CRT in place, I like to see that because I know it hasn't been tampered with.

I have a couple of decent cabinets but if the tube is good I'll probably use it in something a little more scarce than a VT-71.

I grabbed this just shortly after it was listed, I doubt it would have lasted long.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Sandy G · #2 07-25-2011, 03:02 PM

You done well anyway, if the 7JP4's good, that's Icing on the Cake !

Penthode · #3 07-25-2011, 03:22 PM

It doesn'y look too bad. If the CRT is good and the chassis is not too rusty, then you have won.

These are the kind of basket cases I like!

bandersen · #4 07-25-2011, 04:45 PM

Nice score

Definitely worth taking a chance for a complete set.
I bet it wouldn't be too hard to re-veneer the cabinet if you ever decided to restore it.

***Eric H*** · #5 07-25-2011, 05:35 PM

The cabinet fell apart as I took it out of the box, it was way beyond veneer and it's in the dumpster now.

CRT has a good getter and the gun doesn't look like toast, I know you can't really tell anything about it based on that alone.

I did notice a couple of the pins that are connected to the deflection plates were loose in the base, on closer inspection I can see where they were arcing across the bakelite so if the tube works I may have to change the base cap at least. Hopefully it didn't damage anything else.

***Eric H*** · #6 07-25-2011, 09:56 PM

Can't win em all I guess, the CRT seems to be a dud, it's very dim.
I won't condemn it completely until I install a new base cap buy I really don't think that's going to make a difference.

Speaking of base caps, I found a quick easy way to remove them!

The glue was already loose, using a soldering iron was very slow because you can only heat one pin at a time.

I took the tube over to the Stove, held the pins (and only the pins) over the flame and rotated it.
The base slipped off in only a few seconds!

bgadow · #7 07-25-2011, 10:28 PM

Hey, good tip! I wonder how the burner on my electric stove would work? Better make sure I'm home alone when I attempt that...

bandersen · #8 07-25-2011, 10:32 PM

Nice tip. I've used a heat gun before with some success.

If it's still weak after the base surgery, I wonder if it could be rejuvinated ? The Sencore CR-70 has settings for it, but I've only used it for testing emmisions and remove a short with 7JP4s.

jpdylon · #9 07-25-2011, 11:50 PM

It is possible to rejuvenate a 7JP4 using a beltron machine with a universal adapter. I've done it to a few with good results. You can rejuvenate the tube so that its viewable in average light, but if it was really worn out it will defocus on bright scenes with no noticeable drop in HV.