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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Gallery: Do YOU Remember? - all years - click on image to view > Tube Testing Machines
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1950s/1960s

Tube Testing Machines


These were found at every 7-11 and convenience store in town so that customers could test their TV tubes and buy replacements if their tubes were faulty.


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Don Boyd04-Aug-2015 19:41
If it weren't for most of the TV repair shops ripping off their customers, plus the hassle of transporting the TV to and from the repair shop, most people wouldn't have done the self-service on their tubes. Thankfully most TV repair shops are extinct thanks to high-def highly reliable plasma, LCD and LED displays now being sold. Thank you for commenting, Roscoe.

Don
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Roscoe 03-Aug-2015 20:33
Actually, they tested for filament, gas, and transconductance (mmhos) and not just the filament. But most people only looked for needle being "in the green" and let it go at that. It would show you if you had a weak tube and could replace it. Lots of drug stores kept these machines. I'm still amazed that ordinary folks would do this kind of work on their TVs and radios, but then I never thought grandma would get on a computer and send an email, either!
Mark Lincoln 30-Apr-2015 17:37
The ultimate put-on. All they tested was the filament. To identify the bad tube all you had to do was take the back off the set and look for the tube that didn't glow. A simple inspection was all you needed (except for the rare metal tube).
Guest 08-Dec-2012 17:54
Yep, I remember going to 7-11 with my dad to test the tubes.
Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)06-Dec-2012 06:40
Missed in the 60'.... ;(
Paolo
V
Guest 15-Jan-2012 22:25
A lot of the Eckerd's Drugs had one too.
Guest 16-Feb-2008 17:16
They had these at the old 7-11's all over Florida.

Right next to that 7-11 watermelon. (Anyone remember those radio ads?)