Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Focus Diode · 18th May 2014, 10:03 am

Cheers David, having found one I'll be replacing it later today. I note it's been replaced many years ago with a type known to cause trouble. Some valves in the set are "THORN" branded ones, including one of the EF80s, suggesting service into the '70s.

Many thanks also to John for your comments, this narrows down the search for a replacement CRT. I was tempted to fit a buzzer device around the CRT neck on a push to make basis! I had a similar problem with an AW47-91 many years ago.

The cabinet is going to be the biggest challenge as space is very restricted, the sound output PCL82 often gets knocked out of posistion on removing or re-inserting the chassis into the cabinet. It needs to be strengthened from the interior with ventilation holes cut out once set.

Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Brian

Focus Diode · 18th May 2014, 9:11 pm

Further work this evening. The chief suspect for the non linearity C96 (100mfd) was replaced. This made a big difference, the linearity was worse than ever!

Just to be sure a new PCL82 frame osc/output valve was tried, no difference. It just had to be resistors....

R125 (100K) feed to the linearity control was within tolerance, yet edging upwards in value. R127 (270K) was high at 340K. R121 from the height control had more than doubled in value from the correct 330K. Replacing these then carrying out adjustments sorted matters out in the frame department.

Lack of width remains however, the boost volts are near correct and the width control set to maximum. I'll look into this next time as it started to get dark.

Had the set running for a good hour with everything working well, allowing for the slight lack of width.

The photos also show the inside of the cabinet, note the Duck tape is temporary! The gold effect around the cabinet and on the fine tuner knob should respond to re-spraying.

Cheers,
Brian

Heatercathodeshort · 19th May 2014, 8:56 am

Check that the linearity sleeve has not been pushed into the scanning coils too far. It only needs to be a small amount to have quite a dramatic effect. John. []Looks good! They perform very well and once sorted, reliable.]

nigelr2000 · 20th May 2014, 2:00 pm

Just found a couple of PCC89's. If you still want one send me a PM

Focus Diode · 20th May 2014, 10:01 pm

Cheers Nigel, I'll send you a PM shortly.

The linearity sleeve is a strong possibility John, I also have to replace C70 which was delayed having no 0.22mfd capacitors. I'll sort it tomorrow hopefully.

Cheers,
Brian

Focus Diode · 22nd May 2014, 8:20 pm

Another session this evening. A 0.35mfd capacitor was fitted in the C70 posistion so I thought a 0.47mfd would be OK. There was also a 0.5mfd wax capacitor hiding on the LOPT so this was also replaced.

The width is now a lot better. The linearity sleeve is missing from the set!
Still some issues to deal with but it's starting to look good.

Cheers,
Brian

Tazman1966 · 29th May 2014, 11:16 am

Very good line lin considering there's no sleeve, Brian. Nice set. I have the "normal" 506 version.

Focus Diode · 5th Jun 2014, 9:20 am

Thanks Tas, I think I may need to get out the spirit level as the whole image appears a little slanted to the right. A touch of the scan coils is probably all that's needed.

I remember reading a "Your Problems Solved" concerning a BRC 900 or 950 set fitted with a replacement Mullard CRT. The owner was unable to re-fit the linearity sleeve having found the neck slightly thicker than on the original Mazda CRT. The advice given was it can be safely omitted as, "The linearity will be acceptable without it".

Getting back to the 546T, when time permits work on the cabinet will commence. I'll be providing an update when works starts.

Incidentally the set came with a protective cover, I don't think it's original, possibly being made especially for the set!

Cheers,
Brian

Heatercathodeshort · 5th Jun 2014, 2:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focus Diode

Incidentally the set came with a protective cover, I don't think it's original, possibly being made especially for the set!

I hope they took it off to watch it..J.

18th May 2014, 10:03 am	#21
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Cheers David, having found one I'll be replacing it later today. I note it's been replaced many years ago with a type known to cause trouble. Some valves in the set are "THORN" branded ones, including one of the EF80s, suggesting service into the '70s. Many thanks also to John for your comments, this narrows down the search for a replacement CRT. I was tempted to fit a buzzer device around the CRT neck on a push to make basis! I had a similar problem with an AW47-91 many years ago. The cabinet is going to be the biggest challenge as space is very restricted, the sound output PCL82 often gets knocked out of posistion on removing or re-inserting the chassis into the cabinet. It needs to be strengthened from the interior with ventilation holes cut out once set. Any thoughts? Cheers, Brian

18th May 2014, 9:11 pm	#22
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Further work this evening. The chief suspect for the non linearity C96 (100mfd) was replaced. This made a big difference, the linearity was worse than ever! Just to be sure a new PCL82 frame osc/output valve was tried, no difference. It just had to be resistors.... R125 (100K) feed to the linearity control was within tolerance, yet edging upwards in value. R127 (270K) was high at 340K. R121 from the height control had more than doubled in value from the correct 330K. Replacing these then carrying out adjustments sorted matters out in the frame department. Lack of width remains however, the boost volts are near correct and the width control set to maximum. I'll look into this next time as it started to get dark. Had the set running for a good hour with everything working well, allowing for the slight lack of width. The photos also show the inside of the cabinet, note the Duck tape is temporary! The gold effect around the cabinet and on the fine tuner knob should respond to re-spraying. Cheers, Brian Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Focus Diode; 18th May 2014 at 9:22 pm.

19th May 2014, 8:56 am	#23
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Check that the linearity sleeve has not been pushed into the scanning coils too far. It only needs to be a small amount to have quite a dramatic effect. John. []Looks good! They perform very well and once sorted, reliable.]

20th May 2014, 2:00 pm	#24
nigelr2000 Heptode Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Walsham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Just found a couple of PCC89's. If you still want one send me a PM

20th May 2014, 10:01 pm	#25
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Cheers Nigel, I'll send you a PM shortly. The linearity sleeve is a strong possibility John, I also have to replace C70 which was delayed having no 0.22mfd capacitors. I'll sort it tomorrow hopefully. Cheers, Brian

22nd May 2014, 8:20 pm	#26
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Another session this evening. A 0.35mfd capacitor was fitted in the C70 posistion so I thought a 0.47mfd would be OK. There was also a 0.5mfd wax capacitor hiding on the LOPT so this was also replaced. The width is now a lot better. The linearity sleeve is missing from the set! Still some issues to deal with but it's starting to look good. Cheers, Brian Attached Thumbnails

29th May 2014, 11:16 am	#27
Tazman1966 Nonode Join Date: May 2006 Location: St Albans, Herts, UK. Posts: 2,193	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Very good line lin considering there's no sleeve, Brian. Nice set. I have the "normal" 506 version. __________________ All the very best, Tas

5th Jun 2014, 9:20 am	#28
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Ferguson 546T "Flight" 17" Portable Thanks Tas, I think I may need to get out the spirit level as the whole image appears a little slanted to the right. A touch of the scan coils is probably all that's needed. I remember reading a "Your Problems Solved" concerning a BRC 900 or 950 set fitted with a replacement Mullard CRT. The owner was unable to re-fit the linearity sleeve having found the neck slightly thicker than on the original Mazda CRT. The advice given was it can be safely omitted as, "The linearity will be acceptable without it". Getting back to the 546T, when time permits work on the cabinet will commence. I'll be providing an update when works starts. Incidentally the set came with a protective cover, I don't think it's original, possibly being made especially for the set! Cheers, Brian Last edited by Focus Diode; 5th Jun 2014 at 9:30 am.