A GE PortaColor II (10JA Chassis, Model JA5302WD). Its overall shape and size is similar to the 'regular' PortaColor models, but note all those "1970's-trendy" sliding controls and oversized rocker switches!

If the sliding controls weren't enough of an indicator that this isn't your ordinary PortaColor, the "SOLID STATE" proclamation on the nameplate should clinch it for you.

Important Safety Tip: At minimum, it's a good idea to make at least a visual (if not electrical) check of the inside of any 'questionable' old electronic device before you plug it in for the first time. [Of course, this tip applies only to you electronic hobbyists out there who Know What You're Doing. The inside of a TV set is not always a safe place to be poking around and has its own set of safety concerns.]

The above is a (somewhat recreated) view of what greeted me when I opened the back cover of this set when I brought it home.

Hmm... What's that funny strip of metal foil draped around the top of the chassis..? Some sort of shielding that fell off the back cover, perhaps..? Doesn't look very safe, whatever it is...

Turns out that what I was seeing was the remains of an old paper capacitor that served to help 'isolate' the AC line from the chassis. Apparently, it must have shorted out at some point in the past, and then exploded like a party streamer all over the inside of the set. The capacitor's cylindrical ceramic case was neatly split in half, both ends still dangling from their original terminal points.

The set would have (and probably had) still functioned even with the blown-up capacitor, but obviously a long strip of highly conductive metal foil isn't something you want dangling loosely around live electronic circuits. For safety's sake, not only did I clean up the remains of the original capacitor, but I replaced it with a new mylar one. Note: Due the physical layout of this TV, it wasn't possible to get a usable photograph of the exploded capacitor in its original location-- that's why you don't see the broken halves in the picture above.

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