Hi everyone,

I've obtained an early Ekco TV with a 15inch picture tube - Tube made by Mazda, type CRM151. Unfortunately it did not survive the trip to my house and has a broken neck (at the yoke bracket). The phosphor coating on the screen does not look damaged (from air inrush). Thomas electronics used to rebuild picture tubes years ago - welding on a new gun assembly. Does anyone know what happened to the equipment Thomas used? Is there some enthusiast out there still able to rebuild tubes? I think my chances of finding another tube are zero. Any advice would be good - such a shame not to get this old set going again.

Robert

Hi Rob

Once the neck is broken the CRT is not usually a candidate for a rebuild and a sudden inrush of air will cause unseen damage to the screen. Sorry, it doesn't look good.

Thomas stuff went to landfill - I checked. They are still around but now do LCD panel rebuilds!

The Early Television Foundation in Columbus Ohio have just started to do CRT rebuilds. AFAIK they are the only hope. Read the story, follow the links on this site, check also the Latest list, this particular thread hasn't been updated in a while....

http://www.earlytelevision.org/crt_project.html

I doubt if they will attempt re-screening, even though they have the gear to do it from France.. I have been to this place a few years ago, it is quite amazing, but depends entirely on the generousity of volunteers so things don't happen quickly.

Gosh thats the end of that ! Did it fall over or was it transported laying on its back??????? Touch wood I have never broken a Tube moving them from place to place,,But I'm a fussy bugger ,I always tape a piece of polyethylne foam on the face tube to reduce shock , I carry them standing up and pack blankets around them .Thats a shame that has happened to your TV ,,You know its possible somebody has a tube ,Because lots of old TVs get guttered over the years . But the picture tube is often left alone ,, I have lots of old TVs , But I'm sorry I dont have a tube for that ,,,,Its a rare one ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Best of luck .........>>>>>>>>>>>pete

Robert if you join my facebook group called the Real Bakelite and Antique radio page. There is a Member Called Toby Croce he has just purchased a Picture Tube N O S . Made by Thomas Electronics he may be able to help you. Apparently Thomas Electronics are still in existence. He has a facebook Group called Vintage radio and television restorations.

Thanks Ian,

Yes, I have previously looked at the site mentioned. I guess I will have to try and fit an Australian 17 inch tube in place of the broken one. The Mazda CRM151 is actually a triode, so a bit of experimentation will follow!

Robert

Thanks Carl,

I'm a member of Toby's group, so I'll have a look. The set was transported - at great expense - by TNT. It was first packed up (and it was a good job) by Pack and Send. What failed was a pair of wooden blocks that support the tube front where it joins to the mask - they actually separated from the case - and the whole weight of the picture tube was held by the yoke! The TV is an Ekco TSC113 from 1948. I don't know how it got to Australia, but I bet there isn't another here. Even rare in the UK. It has a lethal mains derived HT!! For those interested you can see original info here: http://www.thevalvepage.com/tvmanu/ekco/ekco.htm.

Robert

Sounds like you did all you could to get it there in good condition,,,,,good luck with it

Robert, the fact that it was such an early set didn't register when I made the first post on this thread.

You really do have a problem. I doubt if that chassis would run, say, a 17HP4B, to begin with, the EHT is too low and the deflection angle of the CRM151 is 50 degrees as I recall, as against the newer tube's 70 degrees. The triode gun is the least of your worries.

The CRM151 was notorious for being fragile, apparently.

Why not email Steve at ETF and ask his advice?

infoearlytelevision.org

Hi Ian,

Yes a real problem getting a tube. I've been reading a corresponding with the UK vintage radio forum about this set - before it arrived, and had obtained lots of advice, including a full service manual. I was also aware of how fragile the tube would be, and had no way of knowing if it would be OK even without such an obvious and catastrophic failure. But still really disappointing. I thought rebuilding (or getting a rebuilt tube) would make more sense than finding and importing a tube from the UK, as it may also be faulty upon arrival. I'll have to give a lot of thought about my options, but as you say, the deflection angle and EHT would require consideration if using an Aussie tube. I would prefer to avoid major circuit modification just to have it display a picture.

Robert

Hi Rob

Your options are vanshingly small.

I note on O/S sites that shippers of vintage TVs usually remove the CRT and pack it separately. You now know why. ;-(

Check with Steve in Ohio - they have a huge stock of old CRTs. A properly packed CRT can be shipped safely.

I've put in an inquiry to Glowtronics in India - the last maker of CRT cathodes in the world - on my company email to see if they can tell me who is left that buys them. No answer yet.

Ian.

Hi Ian,

Thanks for you help with this. I've also contact the email suggested. Also waiting for a reply.

Robert