1952 Kaye-Halbert vintage TV set

This is a video taken Jan 1, 2008 of a vintage 1952 Kaye-Halbert TV set. Model 253, with a 20" CRT. This TV was owned by the Frank Heylek family of West Los Angeles, then came to me in 1977, when I was a 10-year-old TV repair hobbyist/nerd. I have kept it all this time, and have maintained a silly tradition, without fail, of turning it on and watching part of the Tournament of Roses Parade each year. On one occasion, circa 1982, the set failed to produce a picture, but it was on for the parade anyway. After a quick repair, it was ready again for the following year. The "silly tradition" started when the Mr. Heylek told me that THEY had use the set every year for the parade since '53, so I just kept it up.

Tech:

Chassis 253, uses a 20CP4 CRT, which is originial, and uses 24 vacuum tubes. The chassis has been "recapped" in the early 80s, which means that most small capacitors have been replaced. Some of the power supply filters are still original!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 1952
• Kaye-Halbert
• B&W
• TV

[douro20]

Would a JAN 5R4WGB work?

[kx250rider661]

@douro20 That's a much heavier tube, but I think the pin-out is the same as the 5U4 rectifier tube that the TV has. It might take too much current, and overheat the power transformer though.

[gmcjetpilot]

Nice TV. Has it been restored or is it original.... Those capacitors are getting might old if not.

[kx250rider661]

@gmcjetpilot

It's never been completely recapped, but I power it up a couple times a year. That keeps the electrolytic caps in decent shape, and I did replace quite a few paper caps in the early 1980s with mylars. If I were to let it sit unpowered for 10 years, it would probably need a total recap job.

[gmcjetpilot]

@kx250rider661

I work on tube AM/FM radios and no expert on the break down of electrolytic, but they do dry out over time. You might want to replace the power supply electrolytic. If they fail they might take the rectifier out and then transformer, but it looks great. Born in the 60's, so I remember pre-cable tube TV days. I would look behind the TV at the glowing tubes almost as much as the CRT. I'm glad to see people keep these. Has this been in the family since 1953? If so that's cool.

[kx250rider661]

@gmcjetpilot

True.... Usually with the TV electrolytics, you get a warning by seeing AC show up in the picture (60-cycle hum bars), and/or a hum in the sound. That set has a B+ fuse, so hopefully it would blow before the power transformer overheats. I have 1000s of 5U4 rectifier tubes, so no biggie if I lose one.

[inkey2]

ya know....back when that was built people basically got only 3 networks and it seemed like there were always good shows on. Now I have about 200 channels AND there is still only about 3 channels that are any good!!!

[honeybaby000111]

cool, but digital sucks

[thelazycomic]

That is really great that you keep up the tradition with the parade. So many wouldn't bother, or lose interest. That says a lot on your good character.

[ManekiNekoGeek]

I WANT IT.

[jebug29]

lol I liked those rabbit ears

[vwbusssesareforever]

Thats amazing!

[PaganLiberty]

LOOK @ THAT, WOW!!!

[pieman97405]

I wish I had a TV like that.

[tracytcb111111111111]

wow tvs have changed over the years i like my 52 inch flat screen

[uhavemooface]

That is just amazing. To have a television from the 1950s is really just awesome.

[jg112393]

You sound like someone famous I just can't quite tell who...