Testing a 3KP4 CRT in Raytronic Beamer CB-54

This video shows how I converted a Raytronic CB-54 Cathode Beamer so it will test a 3KP4 CRT from a Pilot TV-37 1949 3" television.
The Pilot was the first tv under hundred dollars in 1949, it used a 3" CRT and these CRT's are just about impossable to get and most are very weak or dead.
My Pilot TV-37 was restored by me several years ago, but the picture tube is so dark you can only see a very dim picture in a darkened room.
These Raytronic Beamers can still be found from time to time on eBay..

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Education
• Antique
• Electronics
• Television
• Tube-Testers
• CRT

[kinescope100]

Could you please send me detailed instructions on adding the auxiliary socket to

the Cathode Beamer and instructions on how to wire up the new test leads for

3kp4 and 7jp4? Send either by email or snail mail. Please confirm you got this

message.

Ken Korhonen

4022 41st Ave S.W.

Seattle, WA 98116

kinescope @ msn.com

[old64goat]

@kinescope100, Hi Ken, All my stuff is in storage, the wiring hookup for that rear socket is on a large schematic that I showed in this video.

I never took a digital photo of my wiring of that socket.

If I recall the wiring is just grid to grid, cathode to cathode, etc. just match up the correct pins.

I will have to check and see if that schematic is still up in the old shop.

The shop still has stuff up there but I don't go there too often.

If I find it I will contact you.

Bill

[aalexdesja]

HEY OLD GOAT!

i just bought a Raytronic CB-54 Cathode Beamer today just because it looks awesome! all those switches and buttons are really impressive. It seems like a mad scientist's machine.

Im happy to know what its for! Im thinking about using the interface to make something else. maybe a music instrument! What do you think?

[old64goat]

Hi Alex, Ues it as a music instrument???

HeeHee.... You do not want to answer that would you?

Antique test equipment should be preserved, you could get a good price for that on eBay, there are guys that are looking for such things.

Bill

[juliepowers]

We enjoy these videos, and also the Spike Jones song; did you ever hear anything by Jake Thackery? Listen to The Jolly Captain, or The Bantam Cock for a good old-time laugh!

[old64goat]

Thanks for your nice comment, I never heard of Jake Thackery, etc.

Spike Jones? I have his records but none of his stuff was used an any of my videos.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bill

[old64goat]

@tubeularelectronics Hi John, I am sorry but ALL my books and the Raytronic are in storage and I can't get a hold of the guy that is storing my stuff.

[laurdy]

you could try removing the base and looking for boken connections. if the grid is open circuit you've got othing to lose really

[schoolmaster1945]

I just remembered I have a beamer also!....I've got so much stuff I forgot...one of these days I will see if it works...interesting...

[CameramanLink]

That's a really nice piece of equipment! I saw a Pilot TV-37 rebuilt with a scope CRT. The focus doesn't seem to be as good, but it gets the job done. I've experimented with video on oscilloscope, and you have to turn off all the lights just to see the display! I used one of those cheaper design scopes, so the focus is only good in the center, and it doesn't focus sharply enough there to define each line very well.