So here's the first new set I've opened up - a '69 Truetone EIS-1015A-96 with Insta-Vu, built by Admiral 11/24/68. It comes on with a raster but the tuner seems dead and there's a hum in the speaker that sounds like a bad filter cap. This is a hot-chassis hybrid with 5 compactrons and 8 transistors in the chassis. It is also one of (if not) the filthiest chassis I've owned - I usually don't go beyond a good vacuuming/dusting but I may go further with this one.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/TV%20Shop%20Scores/truetone.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/TV%20Shop%20Scores/truetone-3.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/Truetone%20EIS-1015A-96/eis1015a96-2.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/Truetone%20EIS-1015A-96/eis1015a96-3.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/Truetone%20EIS-1015A-96/eis1015a96-4.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/Truetone%20EIS-1015A-96/eis1015a96-5.jpg

I have one of these. If you look in Admiral's brochure for '69, mine is the model right above yours, the colonial style cabinet with the screw-on legs. Same chassis, I believe. I got it out of one of the sheds I'm going through about 2 weeks ago. I haven't got around to testing mine out yet as I'm working on a late 60's Zenith color set that I got at the same time. The Truetone's next in line, though.

You could be fooled just lookin' at it that it was a color set...I'm sure that's what the designers had in mind...Who wanted to be thought of as "Cheap", after all ?!? Neat save. I read somewhere that large screen B/W sets were pretty much done for by '70...Consumer market versions, anyway. Wonder if any of 'em were made totally solid state ?

You could be fooled just lookin' at it that it was a color set...I'm sure that's what the designers had in mind...Who wanted to be thought of as "Cheap", after all ?!? Neat save. I read somewhere that large screen B/W sets were pretty much done for by '70...Consumer market versions, anyway. Wonder if any of 'em were made totally solid state ?


Yes, there were some totally solid state B&W consoles. I've personally seen a SS Admiral built Truetone from '78 or '79. Zenith made a SS 22" B&W console as late as '80-'81. And, Ryan and I were both lucky enough to bring home a couple of late '70's 23" Sylvania SS B&W consoles. Mine is from March, '78 and I'm sure his is from around the same time period.

I think the reason these large screen B&W's held out as long as they did was for the older folks who refused to buy a color TV. Even up into the '90's, there were still a few old folks around here who only had a B&W TV as their main set and they were willing to have them fixed when they failed. My 10th grade English teacher was one such person. When I was in her class, back around '92-'93, the only set she owned was a 12" Sears B&W and I was asked to fix it once. I think her deal with not having a larger screen color TV was that she was never at home long enough to watch TV.

I read somewhere that large screen B/W sets were pretty much done for by '70...Consumer market versions, anyway. Wonder if any of 'em were made totally solid state ?

I came across a column (from 1982) not too long ago that stated the last full-size b&w sets were discontinued by Zenith in 1981. After contacting the author I have little doubt that was the case.

What was it the guy we got this stuff from said....? Something about some people thought color tv was unhealthy or would cause blindness or something like that. Too many stray electrons emanating from the face of a color set.

I believe that's what he said.

I have a raster but no picture or sound - so far I've found two IF transistors that test no-good. I'll have to park this one until I make up another order from Mouser.

So I start measuring the voltages. The 23.5vdc is missing. Turns out a lead to a power resistor corroded and separated. I managed somehow to trim it back, scrape it down and "solder" it back to the resistor. Worked for a couple of hours anyway. Had to play with the gain & yoke but here you go. Slight hum in audio, HOT tube socket is intermittent, fuzz in picture, brightness is all the way up. Tuner is sticking - fine tune stiff and it's either not engaging the UHF tuner or it's stuck.

I'm surprised it works this well. I'm sure there's more corrosion hidden around.

picture tube looks decent.

I love that set! One of these days I'll find it or a similar one. Be perfect for the bedroom.

Veg, I have a Zenith along those lines. A pretty good set but it has a gremlin left in the vertical circuit that keeps it from locking. A "someday" project.