Hello all,
After years of lurking I finally decided to make an account and post a thread here in hopes of some tips/assistance. I recently rescued a 1976 RCA ColorTrak XL-100 Console set that a gentleman in the suburbs was trying to get rid of. He claimed the set powered on normally, but hasn’t really been used in years. When I went to test it out, I was so excited when I heard it spring to life. Alas, the CRT never fully powered on. The top half was lit up with green and red lines (not even the typical ‘snow’) and a white line formed just below the middle of the CRT and the bottom portion was black. When the guy saw that he was as disappointed as I was since it had apparently worked fully a day prior. He let me take it for free which was nice, since cosmetically the set is in immaculate condition. I have a feeling there’s at least one bad cap, but I haven’t cracked it open yet to investigate. That’s my project for tonight (stay tuned).
Now perhaps I haven’t been digging in the right places, but I haven’t had much luck finding the model that I have online, let alone finding data or schematics for it. I wouldn’t say I’m a total novice when it comes to old sets like this, but I could definitely use some guidance as to where to begin troubleshooting. I’ll start by cleaning the chassis out once I get home, since by the looks of it it hasn’t been cleaned or serviced for probably a few decades. I attached a picture of the front of the set and the manufacturer info, and I’ll post some more updated pics once I pop the back panel off later on.

The set has a vertical problem. Start by posting a chassis picture
and the chassis number. Number is either stamped on the chassis or
on a tag. It will start with CTC-##-?? then we can help.
Also try giving it a good slap on the side & see if it comes back.

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

Smackin' the side was one of the first things I did haha. But perhaps I just didnt hit the sweet spot.
I'm heading home now to crack this baby open, I'll look for that CTC number and get back to ya. Many thanks!

Just cracked open the XL100, turns out it’s a CTC 81. I gotta say, I was expecting the inside to be a lot dirtier than it is, there’s only a thin layer of dust inside. Pics attached

Chassis pulled out

First try removing and reinserting the vertical module (the green looking one on the top right) several times. Also, check the large vertical coupling electrolytic can to the right of the screen controls (has the white and purple wires connected to it, mounted on the fiber insulator). Most likely the power transformer regulator cap will fail with in the first week after you wake one of these sets up, can be sourced from a HVAC parts supplier.

There are still a lot of NOS RCA parts around (including in my attic!) so if you run into something special you need find the RCA part # and post it.

Thought it was one of these beasts. They used it in 19"sets also
and they were ball busters to carry. Weighed more than a Zenith.
I think the handle was some kind of sick joke....
Anyhows the most common thing with these was cold joints at the
vert module & on PW500. Some are hard to get to. Watch especially
plugs/sockets & the wire tie stakes. After that most likely the
bottom vert out & maybe some toasted resistors.
BTW there is a plastic tool on the chassis to help pry the boards out
if it were put back after any use.

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

Unfortunately, someone must have snagged the tool. I haven't had much time to work my set recently but should have some down time in the coming days. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty intimidated by this thing. I know I should do some draining before I get to work, any other tips/things I should be wary of while probing?
Thanks again for all your help fellas.
-Austin

look at the bright side you have high voltage. those trace retrace scr sweep was a big pain.

Excellent point. The hard parts to source seem to be working. Having that white horizontal line is very good sign, as others already have said. Just don’t play it too long with the line or it could burn the screen. You might try turning the brightness way down as you troubleshoot it.

I would guess that the vertical sweep section is more easy to fix. At the risk of sounding like the typical eBay seller (“Probably just needs a tube!”) in all seriousness, it just may be a capacitor in the vertical circuit. They probably would not break the bank (easy for me to say ;) )