Silvertone model 6132 console TV set

[TC Chris]

Is the flyback off to the right in your chassis photo? Certainly is a compact chassis.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

It is a small chassis, but appears to be rather well-built. The flyback and the high voltage rectifier are in that tin can -looking contraption to the right end of the chassis. The three transformers on the left side of the chassis are the audio output in front, the vertical output in the left rear and I THINK the other one is an isolation transformer, used to help eliminate buzz.

[electra225]

I didn't get much done to this TV today. Honey-do projects got in the way. I did manage to get the Variac, isolation transformer, dim bulb, and KAW connected and got the chassis to 40 volts with no smoke and no bright dimbulb. More progress, hopefully, tomorrow.

[William]

One step at a time, and before you know it, you will have a good working Silvertone TV.

Bill

[electra225]

I pulled the plate cap off the horizontal output tube, connected the set to the Variac and KAW. I started out at about 40 volts, left it there for 30 minutes. Next was 65 volts, then 90, then 115, finally 120 VAC on the line. I have audio, I have hash from the speaker, indicating that the tuner is working. Very dirty, but working. It draws 124 watts at 120 VAC on the line with just the filaments, no high voltage. 13 tubes plus the picture tube. Keep in mind that at least three tubes are Compactrons. One tube is the vertical multivibrator and vertical output tube in one envelope. I still believe 124 watts on the filaments is excessive. The filter cap ran cool all the time. I let it run like that maybe a couple of hours while I tinkered elsewhere. The back says total wattage draw is 140 watts at 120 VAC. I'd say the high voltage will draw more than 16 watts, but I don't see any indication of trouble at this point. I'll connect the plate cap on the HOT, then power up at full power.

[electra225]

I connected the plate lead to the horizontal output tube, then applied full power to the chassis. The picture came right up, had full deflection, stable raster, the chassis draws 126 watts with high voltage. I can't ask for more than that. The AGC seems to be a bit hot, since I do get some buzz when the scenes change. I also made another observation. I have some fuzzy reception, just like in the RCA set. I also get some vertical pulling, particularly at the top. I'm beginning to wonder if the vertical issues I was having with that RCA set might be partially due to something going on in the DVD player I'm using. I need to clean all the controls and the tuner yet, but I think this old set is going to be a good performer. The little dinky speaker even sounds fairly good. I need a schematic in the worst way, figure out if I can reset the AGC and do some more tune-up. Then I'll have three old tube TV's I can watch OTA signals on. I have pictures that I will post later.....

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Is this your set ?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/belmont_s ... 387_3.html

[electra225]

Sorry, no. Sears Silvertone re-used their model numbers more than once. This set is in Sams 786, Folder 3. My guess is somewhere around 1966-1967. The codes I have found are for the 8th week of 1966. IIRC, dad bought this set in 1967. The three-number prefix for the chassis number on mine is 529.

Pictures on power-up. Not too bad, all things considered. Considering I have done NOTHING to this set except dust it and clean the tubes. It needs controls cleaned and some tinkering. It ran a couple hours, filter caps were stone cold. I also confirmed that the Beverly Hillbillies DVD I had been watching was causing some vertical "tearing" collapsing of the raster somewhat vertically, that I was blaming on the TV set when I was working with the RCA chassis. IT was doing the same thing with this Silvertone chassis, one that I absolutely, positively KNOW does not have vertical issues. I changed to a Dick Van Dyke DVD and the tearing disappeared. Now I need to revisit the RCA chassis and see how it performs with the Dick Van Dyke DVD.

[electra225]

I cleaned the controls. I removed the IF amplifier tubes and cleaned the sockets. I cleaned the socket for the 8JV8 video amp/sync amp tube. The video seems weak to me. I haven't cleaned the tuner yet, but it seems to be okay on Channel 3 which is where it will be run. I don't see an AGC control. I also don't see any vertical height or linearity controls, either. There are two plastic controls on the chassis, but I don't know what they do. Can this chassis be so basic that there are no vertical controls? I'll power up again to check any progress from this work.

[electra225]

Okay. This thing is ready to put the back on and just enjoy it. The cheapest TV in the group of four working black and white TV sets I have took essentially nothing in the way of repair to get it going after an at least 20 year nap. The 6CG8 RF amp in the tuner tests pretty weak, but it doesn't seem to impair performance. There was a bad connection at the antenna terminals that made the picture jumpy and intermittently weak. I cleaned the IF tube sockets, which certainly improved reception and video clarity. My next video project is to figure out how to get OTA reception to my old TV sets. I have a converter box circa 2010. I even have a coupon for $30 off if I want to get another one. I'll get an antenna and then I'll have to program the converter box. The ultimate would be to score an agile modulator and use that for OTA, DVD player and streaming.

[William]

Nice job, Greg.

Bill

[electra225]

Thanks, Bill. I'm rather impressed with the old set. I have four black and white TV's that work now. I think the Magnavox is the best, but it is also has the largest screen. I have a 19" Zenith that is next, then this one, then the RCA. The RCA is the smallest in fairness. I have a 17" Philco, but it doesn't have a raster. The picture tube tests stone dead, but it lights. I will retest before it goes to the landfill. I'm glad to have had the experience and am happy to have these sets working. I'm never going to be a "TV guy". They are too aggravating to work with, to get parts for, to suit me.