View Full Version : 1955 Zenith 20" floor model


pac.attack76
08-23-2016, 04:12 PM
Did a little work on this set and this is all i could come up with. Pretty good sound and somewhat of a pic. Is this worth fixing? I hate to toss it but space is limited.

Electronic M
08-23-2016, 06:16 PM
Of course it is worth fixing!

Define "a little work" please.

To me it appears that the cathode bypass lytic on the vert out is probably open. Any original caps in the vertical (the B+ lytic feeding the vert output is another prime suspect) could potentially be causing this...If they have not been changed then change them. If caps are new check resistors and tube(s) in that stage and see if the vert linearity, and or vert size/height do fix it.

pac.attack76
08-23-2016, 08:45 PM
I ask if its worth fixing as ive tried a few times to sell it and even at a mere$25, theres absolutely no interest. As for keeping it, i'd like to if i can get it finished. As for the work, more or less just tinkering at this point. The most testing ive done on it in two years. Got a pic up with sound and centered all the adjustments best i could. Caps are all original. Is there a kit i can get or will i have to take down all values and types and get replacements for all?

old_coot88
08-24-2016, 12:43 AM
Of course it is worth fixing!
Absalootly!!:yes:
To me it appears that the cathode bypass lytic on the video out is probably open.
You meant so say vert out, right?:D

David Roper
08-24-2016, 03:06 AM
This may be nitpicky, but it's a 21" set. There were such things as 20" sets, briefly, in 1951-52, and they were immediately superseded by 21"ers.

Electronic M
08-24-2016, 06:57 AM
You meant so say vert out, right?:D

Yes I did. Thanks for pointing it out.

Electronic M
08-24-2016, 07:00 AM
I ask if its worth fixing as ive tried a few times to sell it and even at a mere$25, theres absolutely no interest. As for keeping it, i'd like to if i can get it finished. As for the work, more or less just tinkering at this point. The most testing ive done on it in two years. Got a pic up with sound and centered all the adjustments best i could. Caps are all original. Is there a kit i can get or will i have to take down all values and types and get replacements for all?

No kits for sets this old. You gotta order them individually. If you got the schematic you can pull them from the parts list otherwise read them off the chassis. I may have a copy if you list the chassis number. Only paper and lytics need to be changed.

zeno
08-24-2016, 07:28 AM
Fix the poor old thing. Its got a nice strong jug.
As far as selling it you have to find the right
person & raise the price ! Then market it.

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

pac.attack76
08-24-2016, 08:11 AM
Soon as i get that back off again, ill get that number.

pac.attack76
08-24-2016, 08:19 AM
Chassis is 19L27

pac.attack76
08-25-2016, 11:42 AM
No kits for sets this old. You gotta order them individually. If you got the schematic you can pull them from the parts list otherwise read them off the chassis. I may have a copy if you list the chassis number. Only paper and lytics need to be changed.

Do you have anything for that number?

Electronic M
08-25-2016, 01:55 PM
Remind me again in roughly 3.5 hours. After I get home from work I'll be around my service literature.

nasadowsk
08-27-2016, 04:44 PM
The basics on that set work - flyback, sweep, crt, etc.

Your set can be fixed, but it'll take some effort. It's not hard and can be learned, though. It will then perform like a 50's B&W TV, which is actually quite good.

pac.attack76
08-27-2016, 06:07 PM
Remind me again in roughly 3.5 hours. After I get home from work I'll be around my service literature.

I didn't get back on till today. Are you where you can get to them?

Phil Nelson
08-27-2016, 06:38 PM
The Sams website says the manual for Zenith chassis 19L27 is 232-11:

https://samswebsite.com/en/photofact/details/index/id/14447

If nobody here happens to have it, you can order direct from Sams or watch for a copy on eBay.

As others mentioned, replacing the electrolytic & paper caps will likely fix the picture problem and also make it reliable/safe to play regularly. If you haven't replaced caps before, this article provides basic info about that:

http://antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

This article describes some other basic restoration procedures:

http://antiqueradio.org/FirstStepsInRestoration.htm

The following page lists a bunch of TV restoration articles. None of those sets is exactly like yours, but if you skim one or two articles, you'll get an idea what's usually needed to get one of these old sets working well:

http://antiqueradio.org/televisions.htm

Regards,

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html