Predicta Pedestal Restoration begins.

[Eric H]

So I'm starting work on a Predicta Pedestal I got last year, took it apart and started cleaning the Plastics.

First off the screen is cracked and it's a stinker, so smelly I've had it wrapped in plastic to keep the stench out of my room.

No problem, I plan on using the screen from one of the spare Holidays I have but I noticed that the Predicta Logo is at the top on the Pedestal and at the bottom on the Holiday? Is this always the case or is it just a running change?

Also noticed while trying to sand out what I though was oxidation, that the plastic housing that covers the rear of the tube is painted a lighter shade, the Holiday version isn't painted at all and is the regular pinkish/tan color, the Pedestal seems to have several coats of paint, lighter and more yellowish, perhaps to match the top of the cabinet better?

Painting it would actually be a whole lot easier than sanding and polishing the whole thing.

I just wondered if these variations are peculiar to the Pedestal or just year to year variations?

[Kamakiri]

I assume a running change of some kind. I've had both styles.

For cleaning the screens and getting rid of that horrible smell, Castle makes a product called Plexo, it's a spray cleaner for plexiglass. It was first designed to use on aircraft windshields, works like a charm

[bandersen]

I just checked my sets and they're the same as yours. Pedestal - logo at top and painted. Holiday logo at bottom and not painted.

I'll order up some of that Plexo. I used some Novus #2 and #1 on mine which helped but they're still a little stinky. Especially on warm, humid days

[Eric H]

Interesting, at least it'll be easier to paint the housing than to buff it out, provided I can find some paint the right color.

As far as the logo I guess I'm stuck using what I have.
My Holiday has a nice screen, it just needs a little polishing but it's not a stinker.

I experimented with the stinky screen today, the inside was completely covered with white moldy stuff, however it simply washed right off in our parts washer.

I can buff the face to a high shine with the headlight buffing materials but since it's cracked also I won't bother now, I might do it later since a cracked screen is better than no screen and I may put it back on the Holiday or offer it to someone who needs one.

[Eric H]

Well since I'm staring to go full steam on this set I changed the title of my post to reflect that.

After my near disaster with my good replacement CRT (got it mounted up OK.)
I decided to retest the original CRT from this set, well not original, original but a replacement 21FDP4 dated 1961.

A little history on this set first, I bought this set and a Holiday off eBay from a local seller about 6-8 months ago, they are both in fair-good condition, complete except for some of the knobs, (the Holiday has it's original antenna!) the price of $300 for the pair and local pick up made them a bargain.

Both CRT's checked bad at first, I gently rejuved one of them, not sure which one but probably this one.

Tonight I retested it, I can't get the G2 to adjust so I just put it in the middle, at that setting it tests very good, even when I drop the heater a couple volts it takes a while to go down so I think this tube will make a good picture, with two good CRT's I should be able to make two good working Predictas, one Holiday and one Pedestal, that's the plan at least.
I have a second Holiday that I am going to use for parts, it's kind of a hack anyway. I'll still be short a few knobs I think but one step at a time.

[Eric H]

After I pulled the chassis last night I noticed the speaker was torn to bits, I though I had done it by letting the controls shafts get to it, I was mad for being so stupid.

I felt better somewhat when I discovered it was torn when I got it, someone at some time had shoved something through the grille and trashed it.

I'll probably get it reconed if I can't find an exact replacement.

What is it about speakers that drives people to shove sharp objects in to them?

Even at Thrift Stores (or especially at Thrift Stores?) the first thing that happens is the dust caps get pushed in by idiots.

Pictures: Speaker, Grille damage, Shot of chassis still installed.

[Phil Nelson]

Purists may cringe, but I'd be tempted to patch that speaker cone with tea bag paper and service cement, and see what it sounds like. These sets do not have hi-fi audio under the best circumstances. Maybe a patched speaker will sound as good as a new one.

Phil Nelson

[josephdaniel]

I have used window caulk and coffie filter to repair speakers that were roached. but most any speaker from an aa5 raddio would probably work...

[bandersen]

Definitely try to patch it. Personally, I use Aileene's tacky fabric glue.
You can dilute it with a little warm water and brush it into into the entire paper cone. Once dry, it will be strengthened and pliable.

P.S. I'll be starting on my Holiday just as soon as I clear a few radios off the workbench.

[ChrisW6ATV]

My "Holiday" Predicta has the logo at the top of the screen faceplate, but I got this set as a "legless wonder" that someone has commented my have originally been mounted on a roll-around cart.

[Eric H]

After looking at some reconing prices online I'll probably just patch it, or replace it.

I mostly just wanted to keep it looking stock/original but I've done the coffee Filter thing before when I had to.

I have lots of speakers, possibly not in this size though, 8 inch I think.

[marty59]

The Predicta logo is at the bottom of the screen on my pedestal....As for the stinky screen, mine was so caked with that white mold that it was practically covered in the stuff but mostly on the outside of it. I filled the bathtub with some warm water and gently cleaned it with some dish soap. The smell had faded away and the screen still looks good!

[Dave A]

I've used liquid electrical tape for speaker repairs. Dries quickly and stays flexible. Comes in a screw-top tin with a brush attached to the top.

[Eric H]

Fun, fun, fun.

I spent the whole afternoon working on the chassis for this set, I installed a new Thermistor, replaced all the paper caps, checked and replaced any resistors on the PC board that were out of spec, not many were and not by much but I changed them anyway.

I was able to repair the push on/off switch by taking it apart and cleaning and lubing it, don't know how long it'll last but good for now.

As it stands I have no high voltage and the plate of the HO glows red if I leave it running long enough, the Fly looks OK (as Predicta Flys go) I get the 175 volts to pin 4 of the HO tube but I don't get the -45 on pin 5, more like -.5.

I checked for the 175 volts at pin 2 of the Couplate (K6 on the schematic) and pin 6 of the H Osc tube, it's there, the 260 volts going to pin 1 of the couplate is there also but nothing coming out of pin 7.
I don't really understand how that thing works but it looks as if the -45 volts to the HO tube comes from the Couplate, if all the other voltages are correct then is it bad?

[Eric H]

After a little more poking around I think I may have an open Horiz Frequency coil.
I don't have the 175v at pin one of the 6CG7, I don't have it at either end of the 15k resistor R62 either, I do have B+ on two of the connections on the HF coil though.

Checking this will of course require lifting the board again.