Antenna Cheater Cord
Many TV sets have a short 300 ohm lead connected between the tuner and the protective cover on the rear of the set. The length of this lead is just not long enough to permit the back cover to remain connected without causing a great deal of stress and strain. Broken strands and complete severance often occurs. The only remedy is to dig out the soldering gun, and then solder. After having to repair a number of these broken leads, I made up an extension consisting of 24 inches of 300 ohm wire, pins to fit into the socket on the back cover, and a double jack to accommodate the lead coming from the tuner.
Some servicemen may be inclined to use insulated alligator clips instead of the plugs and jacks. It takes up little room in the tool box, and I haven't had a broken lead since.
Metered Cheater Cord
In those areas where line voltage variations cause TV difficulties, the combination cheater cord and AC meter will serve a dual roll. In addition to providing the technician with a convenient arrangement for determining the actual line voltage while the receiver is tuned on, it should help to convince the customer that external power conditions can cause trouble. A conventional male plug or a male cheater-cord plug can be used. The advantage of the latter is that it can be plugged directly into the back of the set; and eliminate having to move furniture to find a wall outlet. Other features may be built into the unit, such as additional outlets, a continuity tester using a neon light, etc.
-------- Metered cheater cord facilitates measuring line voltage while
the set is turned on.
Cheater-Cord Extension
In many cases it is virtually impossible to remove the record player from its cabinet and still have the line cord and phono input cord attached to the amplifier. When servicing the record player, power may be obtained by using a TV cheater cord which makes a safe and handy extension line cord. Where there are more than two terminals, a careful check should be made to select the correct pair leading to the phono motor. Otherwise the fuses will pop.
The cheater cord will accommodate the majority of record players. Some machines lend themselves quite readily to the use of regular electric-iron and the smaller waffle-iron type of plugs.
--- Cheater cord helps phono-motor servicing.
Fused Cheater Cords
To prevent the possibility of blowing the ac fuse in the home of a customer and creating the extra difficulties associated with such an occurrence, we fuse all cheater cords used in servicing. A 5-amp 125-v fuse is put in one leg of each cheater by inserting a plastic fuse holder, as shown in the illustration, in the cord. The holder used is the type made to accommodate a 20-amp auto-radio fuse.
----- Fused cheater cords facilitate field work.
------ Aluminum tube provides a neat and rapid storage facility for
cheater cords.
Cheater Cord Storage
A piece of 1-inch aluminum tubing about 21 inches long makes a handy holder for cheater cords and test leads. It can keep cords in good condition and in place in the tube caddy. Time can be saved by not having to tie a hangman's noose each time the cord is put away.
The ends of the tube should be reamed smooth, so that the cord, fingers and furniture are not snagged.
Light Inside TV Cabinet
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When servicing a TV set in a customer’s home, it is helpful to have a light inside the cabinet. Advantage may be taken of the fact that, with the back off the receiver, an AC cheater cord is necessary for inspection of the set during operation. I parallel the cheater cord with another AC line, about three feet long, fixing a small light bulb at the other end of the added line (see sketch). On the small light I fasten an alligator clip and a hook, by either of which the bulb can be attached to any safe and convenient part inside the cabinet or on the chassis.
Cheater Cord
It wasn't until I had lost a half dozen cheater cords, by leaving them plugged into sockets, in customers living rooms, that I hit upon this idea. Take a standard 2 prong lamp adaptor, drill a 1/4" hole in the side, where there is a gap for the lamp center pin connection, cut the plug from the cheater cord and insert in the hole, solder one wire to the center and one to the screw part of the lamp holder. This gimmick acts as an indication as to whether the customers socket is OK, plus the fact that a light will always be noticed. I haven't lost a cheater cord since.
------ Cheater cord and line voltage indicator.