BRC 2000 restoration. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MALC SCOTT · 25th May 2011, 6:23 pm

Hi,

I am now the proud owner of a 25 inch Ferguson 3700 CTV. It has not been used for many years. Do I just give it full mains and switch on or is there anthing to check/replace first? It is almost 40 years since I serviced one of these 2000 dual standard sets.

Cheers,
Malc.

ppppenguin · 25th May 2011, 6:39 pm

Before applying power I'd be tempted to pull out all the cards, squeeze up the edge conenctors and give the edge fingers a good clear with an eraser. Look for burnups on the PSU sections and convergence card.

I'd pull out the EHT card, possibly also the line timebase card, then run it up with a lamp limiter. Get most of the small signal stuff working, check that it's happy on full mains and then put back the EHT card.

Nice easy set for using a 'scope since it's isolated chassis.

ukcol · 25th May 2011, 6:48 pm

An important set in TV history, being the first all solid state colour TV chassis.

Colin

murphyv310 · 25th May 2011, 6:55 pm

Hi.
Check the edge connectors and obvious things, not too sure if the 2000 would like a lamp limiter though! Full mains would be the way I would go.

ppppenguin · 25th May 2011, 7:14 pm

Can't see anything against a lamp limiter or variac. The power supplies are all simple linear jobs which won't mind reduced voltage. It's really only to let the electrolytics wake up gently and prevent any nasty damage in the line timebase.

murphyv310 · 25th May 2011, 7:22 pm

They used to blow fuses when the mains was low, it was a common problem, also took out the regulator!

murphyv310 · 26th May 2011, 9:28 am

Hi.
I should have edited the last post last night but I got waylaid! From my notes I found the series regulator failed in some sets in area's where there was large mains fluctuations. This was more of a problem in small hamlets and farms.

Looking at the circuit again after a long time, I would go with Jeffrey and go for the lamp limiter or variac.
Good Luck

ppppenguin · 26th May 2011, 9:46 am

When you get round to running up the EHT, if there's a shorted series pass regulator (VT6) the EHT will rocket up to something nasty. Make sure you have an EHT meter connected to see what's happening. on one set I had the needle hit the endstop (25kV) quite hard due to this fault. I switched off in a hurry. ISTR I used a 2N3055 or something similar as the replacement.

MALC SCOTT · 26th May 2011, 9:56 am

Many thanks to everyone for the advice. I am now on my way to David Boynes to collect the set. I will report back later with some pictures.

Electrical · 26th May 2011, 11:46 am

Hello Malc.
Please find attached a copy of the Television magazine article by Caleb Bradley on renovating the BRC 2000 Chassis. These articles jogged my memory when overhauling my 2000 chassis and cover all the stock faults in what was, quote, “probably the most complex domestic device ever sold”, yet to be fair was remarkably reliable.
In addition, please find attached a copy of the article by Keith Cummings on adding raster correction to the 2000 chassis. It would be interesting to find out if this circuit compares with the circuit posted showing the BBC method of adding raster correction, as the information was very hard to read.
Regards Stan.

MALC SCOTT · 26th May 2011, 1:34 pm

Thanks Stan, will come in very handy

HamishBoxer · 26th May 2011, 1:54 pm

See also Steve Pendlburys website on my BRC 2000 restoration that he bought from me years ago.

David

MALC SCOTT · 26th May 2011, 2:41 pm

Hi David, do you have a link for Steve's website? Cheers, Malc.

murphyv310 · 26th May 2011, 3:06 pm

Hi Malc.
here is the link http://www.oldtellys.co.uk/otindex.html
Good Luck

Valvepower · 26th May 2011, 5:07 pm

Hi,

It’s got to be 30 years since I last had a play with one of those. From memory not an IC insight with one hundred and one uses of discrete transistors.

It would be nice to see old school Colour TV from an analogue transmitter on of these sets before they all get turned off!

The BRC3000 was just as innovative. I can remember as a kid in the early 70’s peering in the “slots” on the top of the back on my Grans DER BRC3000 TV and seeing the power supply - I remember there was a TO3 package just in sight? There was no hope for me even back then!

Terry.

MALC SCOTT · 26th May 2011, 7:18 pm

Hi, the set is now home. I removed the back to find all the panels thick with dust, no signs of any bodges. I tested the crt with my Dynascan 467 and after a few mins get a reading of red - 0.8 green 0.9 blue 0.9. This is just under half fsd on the meters. The crt looks like original Mazda Gold Star and looks like it will be ok. I will post some some pics tomorrow as the batteries are flat in the camera. Cheers, Malc

oldticktock · 26th May 2011, 7:26 pm

Looking forward to your restore Malc, I had a look around Stan's last Friday and it's certainly an impressive set.

Chris

Hybrid tellies · 26th May 2011, 7:35 pm

Good luck with this one, looking forward to hearing reading this storey as it unfolds.

HamishBoxer · 26th May 2011, 7:50 pm

Sorry Malc, I should put that link up.Thanks Trevor.
David

G8VAT Wolfman · 26th May 2011, 8:41 pm

I reckon all us fifty somethings are gonna enjoy this one I almost missed them, 3000s were more in my line, I hope it turns out to be a complete b*d for purely selfish reasons...

then we might all get a chance to get the E-Avo on it too...

Good luck, will look forward to seeing Carole and Bubbles on it soon.

25th May 2011, 6:23 pm	#1
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	BRC 2000 restoration. Hi, I am now the proud owner of a 25 inch Ferguson 3700 CTV. It has not been used for many years. Do I just give it full mains and switch on or is there anthing to check/replace first? It is almost 40 years since I serviced one of these 2000 dual standard sets. Cheers, Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

25th May 2011, 6:39 pm	#2
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Before applying power I'd be tempted to pull out all the cards, squeeze up the edge conenctors and give the edge fingers a good clear with an eraser. Look for burnups on the PSU sections and convergence card. I'd pull out the EHT card, possibly also the line timebase card, then run it up with a lamp limiter. Get most of the small signal stuff working, check that it's happy on full mains and then put back the EHT card. Nice easy set for using a 'scope since it's isolated chassis.

25th May 2011, 6:48 pm	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. An important set in TV history, being the first all solid state colour TV chassis. Colin

25th May 2011, 6:55 pm	#4
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,422	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi. Check the edge connectors and obvious things, not too sure if the 2000 would like a lamp limiter though! Full mains would be the way I would go. __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

25th May 2011, 7:14 pm	#5
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Can't see anything against a lamp limiter or variac. The power supplies are all simple linear jobs which won't mind reduced voltage. It's really only to let the electrolytics wake up gently and prevent any nasty damage in the line timebase.

25th May 2011, 7:22 pm	#6
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,422	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. They used to blow fuses when the mains was low, it was a common problem, also took out the regulator! __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

26th May 2011, 9:28 am	#7
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,422	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi. I should have edited the last post last night but I got waylaid! From my notes I found the series regulator failed in some sets in area's where there was large mains fluctuations. This was more of a problem in small hamlets and farms. Looking at the circuit again after a long time, I would go with Jeffrey and go for the lamp limiter or variac. Good Luck __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

26th May 2011, 9:46 am	#8
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. When you get round to running up the EHT, if there's a shorted series pass regulator (VT6) the EHT will rocket up to something nasty. Make sure you have an EHT meter connected to see what's happening. on one set I had the needle hit the endstop (25kV) quite hard due to this fault. I switched off in a hurry. ISTR I used a 2N3055 or something similar as the replacement.

26th May 2011, 9:56 am	#9
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Many thanks to everyone for the advice. I am now on my way to David Boynes to collect the set. I will report back later with some pictures. __________________ Malc Scott

26th May 2011, 1:34 pm	#11
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Thanks Stan, will come in very handy __________________ Malc Scott

26th May 2011, 1:54 pm	#12
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. See also Steve Pendlburys website on my BRC 2000 restoration that he bought from me years ago. David

26th May 2011, 2:41 pm	#13
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi David, do you have a link for Steve's website? Cheers, Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

26th May 2011, 3:06 pm	#14
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,422	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi Malc. here is the link http://www.oldtellys.co.uk/otindex.html Good Luck __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

26th May 2011, 5:07 pm	#15
Valvepower Octode Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Rayleigh near Southend-On-Sea, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,887	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi, It’s got to be 30 years since I last had a play with one of those. From memory not an IC insight with one hundred and one uses of discrete transistors. It would be nice to see old school Colour TV from an analogue transmitter on of these sets before they all get turned off! The BRC3000 was just as innovative. I can remember as a kid in the early 70’s peering in the “slots” on the top of the back on my Grans DER BRC3000 TV and seeing the power supply - I remember there was a TO3 package just in sight? There was no hope for me even back then! Terry.

26th May 2011, 7:18 pm	#16
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Hi, the set is now home. I removed the back to find all the panels thick with dust, no signs of any bodges. I tested the crt with my Dynascan 467 and after a few mins get a reading of red - 0.8 green 0.9 blue 0.9. This is just under half fsd on the meters. The crt looks like original Mazda Gold Star and looks like it will be ok. I will post some some pics tomorrow as the batteries are flat in the camera. Cheers, Malc __________________ Malc Scott

26th May 2011, 7:26 pm	#17
oldticktock Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Weardale, UK. Posts: 1,981	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Looking forward to your restore Malc, I had a look around Stan's last Friday and it's certainly an impressive set. Chris

26th May 2011, 7:35 pm	#18
Hybrid tellies Nonode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area. Posts: 2,967	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Good luck with this one, looking forward to hearing reading this storey as it unfolds. __________________ Simon BVWS member

26th May 2011, 7:50 pm	#19
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. Sorry Malc, I should put that link up.Thanks Trevor. David

26th May 2011, 8:41 pm	#20
G8VAT Wolfman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: BRC 2000 restoration. I reckon all us fifty somethings are gonna enjoy this one I almost missed them, 3000s were more in my line, I hope it turns out to be a complete b*d for purely selfish reasons... then we might all get a chance to get the E-Avo on it too... Good luck, will look forward to seeing Carole and Bubbles on it soon.