Of all the vintage TVs I own, only one is inoperable - the RA-119 DuMont Royal Sovereign.

I've decided to start the resto process on the chassis. Fortunately for me, the cosmetics on the Teleset are already superb. In fact, out of all the TVs I've acquired over the years. This one has the best cosmetics, hands down.

I've started by recapping the HV Chassis.

"Danger, Will Robinson!"



All the Tubulars measured higher to much higher than factory tolerances. I restuffed them all. I checked the axial Electrolytics under the chassis, and they are either within or a little higher than factory tolerances. I'm tempted to retain them, as they look like they can work fine, and, they are factory. I can't restuff them like tubular caps. But all that Voltage...I don't know if it's smart to retain them...

All the Wire Wounds in the HV Chassis check out fine. I checked a bunch, not all, resistors and they are fine. The Tubes I'll check on tomorrow.

I would not even consider using any original axial electrolytics. Especially not with that unobtainable power transformer that would cost a small fortune to have duplicated should it fail.

They can be restuffed, you just need to work carefully and be creative. This may involve making a new end where the positive connection is located and gluing it back into the case. I have also seen these done by cutting the rolled end of the cardboard tube, sliding it off, cutting the aluminum case open, restuffing, then gluing the cardboard back onto the two halves of the case. Not impossible, probably easier than restuffing regular multisection cans.

Have you figured out what to do with the CRT?

Finally.......

This will be an interesting thread.

I have a new 27RP4 CRT. I'll make a mask for it.

I will restuff all the Electrolytics. Canned multi-section lytics I've done before, they are no sweat. It's the tubular 'lytics that will be tough. I'll figure it out...

I only rarely rarely restuff caps, but I consider axial tubular electrolytics the easiest:

1. Remove cardboard wrapper
2. Saw cap in half
3. Remove innards
4. Attach new cap to existing pigtails (either internally or with a tiny hole from inside to outside)
5. Tape cap back together (black electrical tape will do, aluminum tape a little nicer and stronger)
6. Replace cardboard wrapper

It's the paper wrapper that hangs me up.

Do I uncrimp the end, or just slice with a razor blade along the circumference and slide both ends off? I don't think I can recrimp it so it looks factory perfect.

I have tried to recrimp the end of the cardboard and it never looks right, so I just use a box cutter or single edge razor blade to cleanly slice the crimped end off. So the finished cap only has one crimped end, but who's going to care if the cardboard sleeve can be salvaged?

Weren't you going to send parts from 2 CRTs to France to see if they could make one good CRT? If so, what happened or is happening?

Wow, 25k, that's more than most Color sets had.
And all of it applied to a large exposed metal bell!

I wonder what happened to Spiders and such that happened to wander across the CRT bell? Kerpow!

Wow finally taking the big un' on!

This should be interesting to follow.

Tom C.

PS: I'm curious about whether the RACS rebuild is a go as well.

Sure you want to do that? Data sheet for the 27RP4 states maximum anode voltage of 20kv, the sticker on your HV supply clearly says 25...

Plus a rectangular tube just wouldn't look right, you might try looking for a 24AP4. Then it would at least still be a large metal cone picture tube, although still not the right size and not enough anode voltage either.

Come on now, are you suggesting it's been a little boring around here?

I'm just kidding, I'm really looking forward to watching this one too.

I'm going to reduce voltage to the 27RP4, I know about the different voltage specs for each CRT.

As far as the mask is concerned, I'm going to reduce the double-D mask to fit the 27. It will look good. And I won't harm the factory mask.

...unless a 30BP4 turns up. I have time.

Hey Lee that guy still has the 30inch Dumont not far from me but its its on the second floor and no way to get it out of the house.

I'll bet there's a way to get the CRT out of that house...

What did they do, build the house around the TV set? It had to get in there somehow.

I ran into a case locally where an old house had been extensively remodeled and inside access to the attic storage area no longer existed from the upstairs hallway. The only way to get into the attic was put a ladder from a second floor porch up to the roof, and open a window. You guessed it, there was a stash of old TV's in the attic.

I think the bigger problem is aging backs. I though I was going to about die carrying a
CTC 10 up out of a couples basement last winter. It makes you think twice after you feel it for a while. It sure makes sense to take the extra time to pull the chassis and whatever else to lighten the load. And borrow one of those back support belts if you can.

I meet the son who knows of it and said his dad use to service the set years ago and its still in the house thats been closed up for years. I have been trying like hell to get to see this set. Its suppost to be on the second floor. Thats all I know for now.

Gents- For carrying things safely on stairs, use a strap. I have a moving strap that I obtained from a mover, but I know that Uhaul sells something very similar. It may actually be better than what I have.

it's a wide strap, with loops that you can put your hands or arms through. This will allow you to "walk" something up the stairs, without the back-breaking bending over. So you can go up the stairs ahead of the set, lifting it up and then resting it on each step. You aren't winded, you aren't hurting, and you are stable, so little chance of dropping the set, or falling yourself. Even if the stairs have a landing, which can make things more difficult. And if you have someone who can follow the TV while you are going up, lifting it from the bottom while you lift with the strap as well, then it's so much easier.

Yes, it isn't a $5 item. But how much is NOT feeling any back pain, or necking a set as you try to go through a doorway at the top of the stairs worth to you?

Take a look-
http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Pro ... nk?id=9620

John S.

Yea, but it's PINK!