Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Colourstar · 10th May 2010, 9:28 pm

Passing the local recycling bins the other day I spotted this little Pye portable lying face down beside the bottle bank. I guess someone figured this counted as glass recycling! Well, what could I do? I took pity and performed an on-the-spot rescue.

I remember these sets when new and this one is dated Feb 1985, so it's now 25 years old! I'm not sure which Philips chassis it is- someone will know. The set was luckily intact, but filthy with nicotine (check out the internal photo- ugh!) After giving the set a week to dry out, operation clean-up commenced. I managed to turn the water in the sink orange

as I applied the toothbrush and soap to the case and controls.

There appeared to be nothing amiss, so having changed the 13amp plug fuse for a 3amp and crossing my fingers, power was applied.... and up came the sound and a few seconds later a picture. The tube is fine and the sound is excellent for a portable. There's slight regular ticking from the EHT cap, although I have cleaned under there. The three rotary controls need a shot of switch cleaner and the tuning isn't quite right. It's quite critical and optimum sound and picture don't seem to coincide, with the AFC button knocking it off station.

Right on cue for the photos, BBC2 were screening a compilation of 80s Top Of The Pops clips! The first two pictures are 'as found' the second two are post clean-up.

Steve J

mark pirate · 10th May 2010, 9:48 pm

Nice find, i have the philips version of this set, they seem to last well, mine was a freebie from a skip!
Like yours, filthy but working, just needed the tuner buttons & pots cleaned.

Mark

stuie319 · 10th May 2010, 10:15 pm

CTX-E chassis by any chance? They did give superb pictures!
Not a bad find

Regards
Stu

Red to black · 10th May 2010, 10:17 pm

Hi,
Looks like a CTX, but not sure if it is the CTX-E or CTX-S from the pic.
Does it say where it was made ?
Types, S for made in Singapore, E for made in Europe
Hope this helps

posted same time as Stu

McMurdo · 10th May 2010, 10:19 pm

I think every CTX-E/S chassis I've ever seen has been absolutely filthy! Maybe they were too reliable to get a chance to be hoovered before they first failed, or maybe they were always used as bedroom sets, I dont know.

Sets from this era were 'proper' sets!

Red to black · 10th May 2010, 10:23 pm

Bound to be dry jointed on the LOPT

ben · 10th May 2010, 10:27 pm

I have 3 or 4 of these CTX stacked up in the workshop. All Philips or Radiola, 14 and 17 inchers. the tuner buttons were always the weak link and I also had a frame collapse (intermittent) on one. But a great pic when they work.

Peter.N. · 10th May 2010, 10:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I think every CTX-E/S chassis I've ever seen has been absolutely filthy! Maybe they were too reliable to get a chance to be hoovered before they first failed, or maybe they were always used as bedroom sets, I dont know.

Sets from this era were 'proper' sets!

...except they didn't have valves in them!

Heatercathodeshort · 11th May 2010, 7:54 am

Back off. Replace 4.7ohm surge limiter, resolder LOPT, replace electrolitic in frame osc circuit, clean, put back on and return to customer for another 10 years. Great Philips chassis! J.

Steve_P · 11th May 2010, 8:40 am

Why doesn't anyone in Bolton chuck out sets like this...? Great sets these, well found and kept going...

Cheers,

Steve P.

KeithsTV · 11th May 2010, 12:22 pm

Because they take them south and dump 'em there to keep the North tidy.

Keith

Dr-Watts · 11th May 2010, 12:48 pm

I gave one to my parents for their kitchen years ago when I was an apprentice.
After a few years the scan coild used to make a hell of a racket.
It drove my brother mad

Excellent set, well done for saving it

Welsh Anorak · 11th May 2010, 1:00 pm

Hi
A good clean under the EHT cap - get it as shiny as you can - and possibly a new cap as they seemed to go rusty and you'll have a good reliable set. There are two small IF coils together and a tiny adjustment of the AFC one will sort out your coincidence problem.
I've got two here in close to mint condition. Just remember the handle on the 14" sets has a habit of launching itself to freedom!
Glyn

Maarten · 11th May 2010, 4:16 pm

If you'd like to know the origin (Singapore, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the UK, etc.) of this set, just write down or take a picture of any stickers with numbers on the backside. I'll explain the meaning.

AidanLunn · 11th May 2010, 5:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

I have 3 or 4 of these CTX stacked up in the workshop. All Philips or Radiola, 14 and 17 inchers. the tuner buttons were always the weak link and I also had a frame collapse (intermittent) on one. But a great pic when they work.

Yep, I have a Philips CT2006 with dirty contacts in the tuner buttons.

Jimmyhaflinger · 11th May 2010, 8:31 pm

I have two 16" CTX sets, i had to replace the TBA120 chip on one and both needed a new backup battery and some DJs resoldered.

Their tubes last forever and give breathtaking pictures!

By the way, the CTX has a SMPS transformer which makes it look like an isolated chassis, but it's no such thing, it's a LIVE chassis, as i learned the hard way while i was trying to adjust the A1 on one of my sets... OUCH!!!

Maarten · 12th May 2010, 12:11 pm

The CTX was indeed a very worthy successor to the KT3 chassis, which in fact wasn't isolated either.

Colourstar · 12th May 2010, 8:17 pm

Funnily enough I had only just found a home for my previous portable (ironically a Pye badged KT3 ) when this later model turned up. Not exactly an exciting find, I'll be the first to admit, but maybe one to leave to mature nicely for a few years until everyone starts wondering what happened to all those old non-remote control portables in white cases!

Thanks Glyn for the tips re the AFC and EHT cap.

Maarten, the label on the set states 'Made in Belgium'.

Steve

Red to black · 12th May 2010, 8:59 pm

Quote:

Posted by Colourstar:
Maarten, the label on the set states 'Made in Belgium'.

Ah! so it is the CTX-E chassis.

Can anyone remember the differences, apart from the obvious Country of manufacture, and Possibly the different type of line transistor.
Istr the "E" version used a BU508 type (TO 220), whilst the S version used a metal 2SD type, similar in construction to the BU208 (TO 3), or was it the other way round ?, and a different tuner.
Cheers,
Baz

Sideband · 12th May 2010, 9:58 pm

There were subtle differences between the 'E' and 'S' versions. I'm fairly sure the 'S' version was restricted to the smaller screen size but I'm also fairly certain that the 'E' version was made in all sizes. So in other words an E type could be anything from 14 to 20 inch whereas the S was only 14 inch. Either that or it was a cheaper version with less functions.

SB

10th May 2010, 9:28 pm	#1
Colourstar Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,398	Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Passing the local recycling bins the other day I spotted this little Pye portable lying face down beside the bottle bank. I guess someone figured this counted as glass recycling! Well, what could I do? I took pity and performed an on-the-spot rescue. I remember these sets when new and this one is dated Feb 1985, so it's now 25 years old! I'm not sure which Philips chassis it is- someone will know. The set was luckily intact, but filthy with nicotine (check out the internal photo- ugh!) After giving the set a week to dry out, operation clean-up commenced. I managed to turn the water in the sink orange as I applied the toothbrush and soap to the case and controls. There appeared to be nothing amiss, so having changed the 13amp plug fuse for a 3amp and crossing my fingers, power was applied.... and up came the sound and a few seconds later a picture. The tube is fine and the sound is excellent for a portable. There's slight regular ticking from the EHT cap, although I have cleaned under there. The three rotary controls need a shot of switch cleaner and the tuning isn't quite right. It's quite critical and optimum sound and picture don't seem to coincide, with the AFC button knocking it off station. Right on cue for the photos, BBC2 were screening a compilation of 80s Top Of The Pops clips! The first two pictures are 'as found' the second two are post clean-up. Steve J Attached Thumbnails

10th May 2010, 9:48 pm	#2
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Nice find, i have the philips version of this set, they seem to last well, mine was a freebie from a skip! Like yours, filthy but working, just needed the tuner buttons & pots cleaned. Mark

10th May 2010, 10:15 pm	#3
stuie319 Pentode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 229	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink CTX-E chassis by any chance? They did give superb pictures! Not a bad find Regards Stu

10th May 2010, 10:17 pm	#4
Red to black Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 2,476	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Hi, Looks like a CTX, but not sure if it is the CTX-E or CTX-S from the pic. Does it say where it was made ? Types, S for made in Singapore, E for made in Europe Hope this helps posted same time as Stu __________________ I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

10th May 2010, 10:19 pm	#5
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,274	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink I think every CTX-E/S chassis I've ever seen has been absolutely filthy! Maybe they were too reliable to get a chance to be hoovered before they first failed, or maybe they were always used as bedroom sets, I dont know. Sets from this era were 'proper' sets! __________________ Kevin

10th May 2010, 10:23 pm	#6
Red to black Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 2,476	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Bound to be dry jointed on the LOPT __________________ I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

10th May 2010, 10:27 pm	#7
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink I have 3 or 4 of these CTX stacked up in the workshop. All Philips or Radiola, 14 and 17 inchers. the tuner buttons were always the weak link and I also had a frame collapse (intermittent) on one. But a great pic when they work. __________________ Regards, Ben.

11th May 2010, 7:54 am	#9
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Back off. Replace 4.7ohm surge limiter, resolder LOPT, replace electrolitic in frame osc circuit, clean, put back on and return to customer for another 10 years. Great Philips chassis! J.

11th May 2010, 8:40 am	#10
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Why doesn't anyone in Bolton chuck out sets like this...? Great sets these, well found and kept going... Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

11th May 2010, 12:22 pm	#11
KeithsTV Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Because they take them south and dump 'em there to keep the North tidy. Keith

11th May 2010, 12:48 pm	#12
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink I gave one to my parents for their kitchen years ago when I was an apprentice. After a few years the scan coild used to make a hell of a racket. It drove my brother mad Excellent set, well done for saving it __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man

11th May 2010, 1:00 pm	#13
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,927	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Hi A good clean under the EHT cap - get it as shiny as you can - and possibly a new cap as they seemed to go rusty and you'll have a good reliable set. There are two small IF coils together and a tiny adjustment of the AFC one will sort out your coincidence problem. I've got two here in close to mint condition. Just remember the handle on the 14" sets has a habit of launching itself to freedom! Glyn

11th May 2010, 4:16 pm	#14
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,203	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink If you'd like to know the origin (Singapore, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the UK, etc.) of this set, just write down or take a picture of any stickers with numbers on the backside. I'll explain the meaning.

11th May 2010, 8:31 pm	#16
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink I have two 16" CTX sets, i had to replace the TBA120 chip on one and both needed a new backup battery and some DJs resoldered. Their tubes last forever and give breathtaking pictures! By the way, the CTX has a SMPS transformer which makes it look like an isolated chassis, but it's no such thing, it's a LIVE chassis, as i learned the hard way while i was trying to adjust the A1 on one of my sets... OUCH!!!

12th May 2010, 12:11 pm	#17
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,203	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink The CTX was indeed a very worthy successor to the KT3 chassis, which in fact wasn't isolated either.

12th May 2010, 8:17 pm	#18
Colourstar Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,398	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink Funnily enough I had only just found a home for my previous portable (ironically a Pye badged KT3 ) when this later model turned up. Not exactly an exciting find, I'll be the first to admit, but maybe one to leave to mature nicely for a few years until everyone starts wondering what happened to all those old non-remote control portables in white cases! Thanks Glyn for the tips re the AFC and EHT cap. Maarten, the label on the set states 'Made in Belgium'. Steve

12th May 2010, 9:58 pm	#20
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,580	Re: Bottle Bank Pye back from the brink There were subtle differences between the 'E' and 'S' versions. I'm fairly sure the 'S' version was restricted to the smaller screen size but I'm also fairly certain that the 'E' version was made in all sizes. So in other words an E type could be anything from 14 to 20 inch whereas the S was only 14 inch. Either that or it was a cheaper version with less functions. SB __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....