Saturday 4 February 2012

Bell TV202 Bellini 23" TV ** This set no longer exists **

Here is set number three. This is a Bell 23 inch Model TV202. The owner of the Bell company
Al Bell was a pioneering manufacturer and was making prototype television sets while the NZ Government was trying to decide whether to use the UK 405 line standard or step straight up to 625 lines. 
According to local legend Al Bell set up a studio and transmitter, and built some 405 line sets so that he could have an audience. When 625 lines was decided upon he was quick to get sets underway and off production line, and this is one example of that. 
Quite a stunning looking set and rather retro with its styling and Formica cabinet. 
The chassis is very well laid out and Bell used printed circuit boards when most other NZ manufactures were still using point to point wiring. Again he used quality Philips capacitors and resistors so these would have been fairly reliable and good for servicing as well.
The picture tube in this tests almost dead, but it may respond to a cook on the heaters or a quick blast with the rejvunator, I only use this option as a last resort, and if the tube is totally useless I do have a couple of good spare picture tubes I can put in, but will attempt to get it going first before I go that far.
Here are some photos of it for now...





Ultimate TVG 23" TV

Here is number two out of the five sets I got recently. Its a 23 inch Ultimate TV Model TVG. This is an earlier set has it has a non bonded picture tube, so has safety glass in front. In very nice condition overall and looks good. Ultimate were tied up with Pye at this stage.
I have not put any power on it yet but will do at some stage with the variac to see what it does. A nicely laid out chassis and easy to service and quite surprising that it has nearly 20 valves in place. Thankfully it has those long lasting reliable mustard coloured Philips capacitors all the way through so probably won't take much to get going providing the picture tube and flyback lopt are ok.
Here are some photos of it for now.