Dynatron TV23A Falcon

Here are a few more pictures,  few with her clothes off. This took some doing as the mask has started to deteriorate has was stuck to the implosion screen. The entire chassis can be removed from the cabinet by removing 4 bolts and the whole lot slides out the back.

As you can see there is just a fine layer of dust over everything, I think this must of come from a very clean house.

This is as far as it goes for the moment.

That is a fine looking set, at a first glance it looks to of had little use and certainly stored away from the sun as that cabinet is still beautiful. Will you try just a slow warm up on the variac to see what you have ? 

Posted by: freya

Will you try just a slow warm up on the variac to see what you have ? 

I would advise EXTREME caution, certainly at least until some service data is available to see what's what.

PS....What happened to it's partner, the radiogram, I wonder?

Does this set derive EHT from the line time base or from an EHT mains transformer?

NO power will be applied until I know what's what and some basic checks have been done as I/we believe this set has mains derived EHT. Having seen the under side of the chassis today for the first time there is a piece of tag strip full of resistors that I think is the EHT bleeder network.

Wendy said she was in no rush to sell the radiogram and wanted it to go to the right person. She has already had silly offers and requests for the valves to be removed!

That is good to hear Jon, the NO power bit of course, and the fact Wendy is awaiting the right person for the gram.   ? 

I saw what appeared to be a red EHT type cable connected to that string of resistors and thought they were a bleeder network so presumed it could be mains derived EHT.

I have never worked on that type of EHT circuit, a TV we had used this type, my dad used to fix it, usually valves, he would never let me near it however much I wanted to, still I was only about 8 or 9 at the time. Perhaps a good decisions.

Its virtually identical to the Dynatron TV21 Falcon that Trevor Goodenough repaired for "Mikeymushradio". see here. As you can see from that thread the set he worked on looks like this TV23A.

I would suggest contacting Trevor (I can provide his e-mail via pm if required) you never know he might even have data for it or the TV21, something very close. At the very least he will have some tips to offer, he's worked on a few mains derived sets and of course the TV21.

So far you have all seen as much of the set as I have. I didn't have much time today to have a poke about or remove any covers off of anything. Next visit to the workshop I will give the chassis a very gentle going over with a small paintbrush and the vacuum to remove the dust from the chassis. I have noticed that the valve numbers and types are stamped/painted on the chassis next to each valve. This will probably be followed by testing to see if the CRT is any good or not, if not then the hunt will be on for a replacement CRM121B.

So pleased this beautiful item went to one of you guys as I know it will be looked after and not ripped apart.

Was lovely to meet the delightful Jon but I did feel bad that I couldn't help him lift the TV in his car as I have a ripped muscle in my shoulder and tbh I am only little 🙂

Looking forward to seeing this TV being restored. Re the Radiogram, I am having a bit of a battle with my husband as he wants to Ebay it which I think would be a terrible shame, hopefully I will find the right person for it soon. I called a collector the other day about it who told me that it wasn't worth much and there is FAR better out there anyway but would take it off my hands for a couple of hundred quid................................. I said no. 🙂

Posted by: Chris

Its virtually identical to the Dynatron TV21 Falcon that Trevor Goodenough repaired for "Mikeymushradio". see here. As you can see from that thread the set he worked on looks like this TV23A.

I would suggest contacting Trevor (I can provide his e-mail via pm if required) you never know he might even have data for it or the TV21, something very close. At the very least he will have some tips to offer, he's worked on a few mains derived sets and of course the TV21.

Hi Chris,

Yes please if you could that would be great. Thank you.

pm sent  ? 

Hi Wendy. I think eBay would spell total disaster for the radiogram. The valves would be robbed and the carcase would probably be offered separately....or worse just dumped. The people who rob these are not interested in the vintage history and are none too careful how the item is treated....they only want the two valuable valves. The rest is of no value at all and to them is only fit for the tip. 

Hopefully a genuine collector will show some interest.

Posted by: Chris

pm sent  ? 

Thanks Chris ?

Posted by: sideband

The people who rob these are not interested in the vintage history and are none too careful how the item is treated....they only want the two valuable valves.

Not quite - it's the whole LF59 amplifier chassis that's of interest and if the gram is fitted with them, the red/brown Decca pickup heads.

@wendymac if you have an idea of what you would like for the 'gram, would you PM me please? I have other significant expenditure this month - well, quarter really! - but I could be interested in saving the 'gram.

I know you're right as plenty of others have told me the same, fingers crossed and my husband isn't very good on Ebay so it hasn't happened yet 🙂

Pm'd you

Posted by: wendymac

I know you're right as plenty of others have told me the same, fingers crossed and my husband isn't very good on Ebay so it hasn't happened yet 🙂

Hi Wendy,

As I mentioned in your very first thread offering the Gram at Vrat (see below), as noble as it to try and save this Radiogram you can only do so much, can only be expected to have it hanging around at home taking up space for as long as you can put up with it.

Its easy for us all to sit back and say hold on to it, save it for the right buyer, we are not the ones with it cluttering up our houses. Also the reality is you have something of value and preserving it is not your hobby its ours. Your husband is just being pragmatic and may end up being right. Its wonderful that you've listened and tried, you've ensured the TV has made it to safe harbour.

However with the radiogram you're going to have a devil of a job. I would say once you have tried your best to help save it only to find nobody interested, I would feel no shame in sticking it on e-bay (perhaps with a reserve) and letting it go to the highest bidder. If it gets pulled apart so be it, many have gone that way before it and no doubt many will after. You tried, you did your best, if you can make some decent money think of yourself, there's nothing wrong in that.

Posted By: Chris

however the membership here are not Audiophiles (a type of person who has golden ears, who often hear what is not there and are prepared to pay top notch to hear more) they are just vintage electronics enthusiasts who enjoy repairing old technology. 

No one here would dream of ripping you off but equally and I think I can say this with reasonable conviction, nobody here will pay anywhere even close to what you would achieve on e-bay. The amp in these often get stripped out and sold abroad by dealers with the shell appearing on e-bay some while later.

Thankyou Chris

You are very sweet.  Yes, I think you may be right, tbf I don't expect to get the sort of price from a collector that I would on Ebay and I have tried to ensure it goes to an enthusiast rather than be ripped apart. I have really only had silly offers for it or requests to rip the valves out which I personally am not prepared to do.

I will give it another couple of weeks and then I think I will have to agree with my husband.

Thank you and everyone else for all of your help, I'll keep you posted.

Kind regards

Wendy