Zenith 25HC45 issue

[AndyMack]

Ok, a little history. I've owned this set since 1989, when it was found on the curb. Elderly owner said it no longer produced color. Took it home, fired it up and it worked perfectly. About 3 months later, I had to move. The set took a fairly rough ride in the back of a pickup for the short half-mile ride to my new place. Since that day, it's had issues. Intermittent reddish tint to the screen with diagonal pinstripes thru the screen, and whenever I touched the power switch, I always got a faint shock (like we northerners always get on a dry winter day). It was a daily watcher for a couple of years until it developed an arching issue. Basically just put it in storage. Well, it's back in my garage and I decided to fire it up and take a closer look at whats going on. The pictures will tell story. She's got a nasty, very audible arc from the transformer to the chassis. I tried to photgraph it, if you look close to the #5 pic, you can see it though a hole in the HV chassis.

My questions are: can these parts be sourced today? How difficult a repair is this? Expensive?

I've had this set a long time, and would hate to scrap it (it's already followed me around this long). She still puts out a decent picture (would be better with some servicing), and it was always the best TV receiver I've owned... great for DX. As always, this novice is appreciative of any advice you guys can give.

[radiotvnut]

The first thing that needs to be done is to replace the HV tripler. It could possibly be sealed with RTV; but, I've always felt better about instaling a new tripler when the old one arcs. There will be a part number of 212-xxx on the side of your old tripler. There's a good chance that this will cross reference to an NTE or ECG number. I have seen these triplers short and take the flyback transformer and horizontal output transistor with it; so, use caution.

Next, I would clean and resolder all of the module contacts where they plug into the chassis. Bad module connections was another issue with these sets.

You'll have a fine performer when you get the bugs worked out. BTW, the CRT's in these sets almost never die!

[radiotvnut]

Oh, you can probably still get a tripler locally from any decent electronics supply store (especially if they carry NTE or ECG semiconductors). I'm sure Moyer electronics has one. Expect to pay between $25 and $35 for a new tripler.

[sampson159]

thats a ecg 556 tripler. i have a working chassis for that same set. my dailey watcher was the same until i got my roundie going. through the years,i have seen everything done to an arcing tripler. do as radio says-replace it! rule of thumb-if it is zenith-save it!!!

[AndyMack]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like the casing on the tripler just cracked across the whole back side of it, allowing for plenty of leakage. I just went ahead and ordered a replacement from Moyers... should have this set back up and running proper again in no time. Outside of that issue, and maybe some dirt from sitting around all these years, this set seems to be in fine shape.

[Carmine]

I have that same chassis in a "panarama" set from 1976. Has the same tripler issue, but I just RTV'ed mine since it was a garbage find and I didn't want to invest any $$$ in it.

I would love to GIVE it to somebody. It's taking up room in my garage, and when car-working-on season comes, It'll have to go.

[zenith2134]

Carmine I would buy that from you but how the heck would that be possible. Last time I saw one of these on NYC craigslist, the guy wanted 100 bucks. And apparently his was from the 60s..... lol.

[radotvguy]

i have the same Zenith Panarama set as pictured above and its working and i have spare new old stock module boards for it . I need to make room . Anyone have a interest in it . Located in Central , NJ

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by radotvguy

i have the same Zenith Panarama set as pictured above and its working and i have spare new old stock module boards for it . I need to make room . Anyone have a interest in it . Located in Central , NJ

No No No! Take mine!! Mine is -$5!!!

[weirdvideos]

I have a Zenith H2510W Model Chromacolor II, chassis 25HC45 and need to know cross references to all the Motorola transistors, so I can replace them with nice NEW ones.
Motorola has numbers such as the following: If anyone can / or has a complete list of subsitutes for the whole TV's transistors, please send it??? Will make it worth your while.
I have failed to find sub's for, ...such the likes of, but might have found that they fit NTE's... Is this right?
743-01 448 ........NTE941
743-01 451.........NTE159
743-01 515.........NTE123
and 952 624......NTE116 ???????????

IF anyone has a complete list of subs for this Zenith, I would love to know them.
ROSS

[Dude111]

Good luck buddy

Originally Posted by AndyMack

Ok, a little history. I've owned this set since 1989, when it was found on the curb. Elderly owner said it no longer produced color. Took it home, fired it up and it worked perfectly. About 3 months later, I had to move. The set took a fairly rough ride in the back of a pickup for the short half-mile ride to my new place. Since that day, it's had issues. Intermittent reddish tint to the screen with diagonal pinstripes thru the screen, and whenever I touched the power switch, I always got a faint shock (like we northerners always get on a dry winter day). It was a daily watcher for a couple of years until it developed an arching issue. Basically just put it in storage. Well, it's back in my garage and I decided to fire it up and take a closer look at whats going on. The pictures will tell story. She's got a nasty, very audible arc from the transformer to the chassis. I tried to photgraph it, if you look close to the #5 pic, you can see it though a hole in the HV chassis.

Wow Ya got lucky in that it worked perfectly -- im proud of ya for keeping her my friend and im sorry the hard ride ended up causing issues -- i hope you didnt give up and ended up getting her working fine again