Variable Transformer / Renting one in London?

adamdynamic

This is probably a bit of a long shot, but I've had stranger questions answered on the MSE forum so I thought I'd give it a shot

I need to borrow/rent a 240v variable transformer to try and revive some vintage TVs I bought on eBay. I'm not going to open them up (far too many lethal voltages in there but the guy I bought them off suggested 'warming them up' (as they haven't been used for a while) with a variable transformer/variac.

Having looked online, they seem incredibly expensive but finding one to rent in/near London is proving much more difficult than I thought it would be.

Does anyone know have any suggestions of where I could find/borrow/rent/steal one from? Any info would be great!

Thanks,

Adam

enfield_freddy

would a builders 110v one not help you ,

Gloomendoom

adamdynamic wrote: »

I'm not going to open them up (far too many lethal voltages in there

I would be tempted to open them up and give everything inside a thorough vacuum before powering up the first time.

Big_Graeme

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I would be tempted to open them up and give everything inside a thorough vacuum before powering up the first time.

...and create static that could kill the thing.

Fightsback

Big_Graeme wrote: »

...and create static that could kill the thing.

If it's a CRT the whole thing is full of static, the tripler boosts the HT to 25kv (colour) to drive the tube.

If it's really old then it has thermionic emission valves.

More of a danger is residual charge in the EHT circuit which can give a very nasty belt even when switched off.

grumbler

Big_Graeme wrote: »

...and create static that could kill the thing.

Do you not vacuum your PC?
It's modern devices that are more sensitive to static since MOSFET (and similar) chips appeared. Vintage TVs are unlikely to have them.

enfield_freddy

no that is down to Mrs Grimbly , the housekeeper

Bollotom

Vintage might mean replacing resistors, capacitors, valves and perished wiring. To plug it in without knowing the probable outcome is a bit dicey. Have you thought about contacting your local amateur radio club?

Inner_Zone

Check out RS.


Bit puzzled why you want to power them up if not checking them first for safety issues and subsequent repair.

From ex brown goods engineer including TV's.

adamdynamic

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies! In response, I'm don't want to open any of them up - I'm aware of the extremely large voltages that CRT TVs can have in them and I'd rather live with the mystery of why they don't work than run the risk of electrocuting myself

The TVs are Rediffision Mk1s from the early 70s so it's perfectly possible that something has perished in them. The guy I bought them from was an ex-TV repairman and it was he who suggested I 'warm them up' with 10v from a variac for 20 mins each.

I'd found the variacs on RS, what put me off was the price though - the ones with enclosures are £400+ each which is far more than the TVs cost

Owain_Moneysaver

try asking on the Vintage Radio forums