Need Help on 1988 Zenith - Videokarma.org TV - Video

jstout66 · #1 12-17-2008, 06:20 AM

Hello,
I have a 1988 Zenith with an annoying problem I need help on. It's an odd set by the way. I think it's a hotel set, as a sticker on the back states it's a "Zenith Horizon Series" for institutional use. It's model number: H1963S

The main problem is that it has an annoying buzz in the sound. Not on every channel, but on most.

What adjustment can I make, and what module would I do it on? I'm not familiar with "newer" stuff at all. Is there an AGC control somewhere?

Also, another problem is that you cannot use the channel up/down buttons on the set or remote. You can enter them in directly, but if you try to scan up or down, the led readout comes up "PO" and will not change the channel.

I would normally pitch a set like like this, but it has an interesting look to it, and a fantastic picture.

radiotvnut · #2 12-17-2008, 11:25 AM

Being it's an '88 model, it probably uses a 9-470 main module. There are a couple of tunable coils in the sound circuit that may need adjustment. Also, I've seen those coils have bad solder connections.

Does that set have a door on the front that hides some of the controls? This door was usually held in place by a screw. There may be a switch behind this door to allow programming of the channels.

That set is either a hospital or hotel model. If it's a hospital set, it will likely have a jack on the rear of the set for the plug in pillow speaker.

Carmine · #3 12-17-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstout66

Also, another problem is that you cannot use the channel up/down buttons on the set or remote. You can enter them in directly, but if you try to scan up or down, the led readout comes up "PO" and will not change the channel.

I think it's telling you to "piss off", which is better than this old Zenith, possibly the rudest television ever made...

So count your blessings I guess?

jstout66 · #4 12-17-2008, 12:20 PM

HA! Carmine, I had the exact same thought that it was trying to tell me to piss off.

The set has no hidden controls, nor do I see any way to program channels. It does have a jack for an external speaker, also has some large connection for "redi-plug" whatever the hell that is.

I'm surprised the pix is that good on it. I thought that was the era of the "bad" Zenith tubes. I'll probably just store it, and see if any parts come up. It uses that 1 main module. The other ones are the tuner and a small module with the controls, which are located on the side of the set.

zenith2134 · #5 12-17-2008, 12:33 PM

Carmine, the Color Commander just has zero patience when it comes to DTV transitions......

You know, I've seen the 'Redi-Plug' cutout thing on the back of many Zeniths and have yet to figure out what the heck they're there for.....IIRC a lot weren't hooked up to anything electronic inside and were simply imprinted molds on the cabinet backs.

I think an '88 would be a few years before the CRT disasters started happening.

MRX37 · #6 12-17-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstout66

I'm surprised the pix is that good on it. I thought that was the era of the "bad" Zenith tubes. .

88 was one of the last good years for Zenith CRT's

If I were you, I'd keep it. There's most likely a way to change the settings to allow use of the channel up and down buttons (maybe a primitive service menu?), and the sound issue shouldn't be too hard to fix.

Carmine · #7 12-17-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRX37

88 was one of the last good years for Zenith CRT's

I'm thinking they turned to crap in 92-93. I have a 1990 27" with an excellent CRT and plenty of hours.

bgadow · #8 12-18-2008, 11:51 AM

I'm guessing the channel up/down will only work with channels that are programmed in, and you would have to access some sort of menu to do that. Just a guess. I've had a couple Zeniths that age and some of the buttons/features didn't make sense to me. Not well labeled. A manual would be a help. Zenith was starting to slip by the late 80s-from what I've seen, by then they are just mediocre, not as good as their contemporaries from RCA/GE and maybe a cut below the NAP sets.

zenith2134 · #9 12-18-2008, 12:03 PM

Well, by the late 80s I think the RCAs were getting better. I like the ctc-121 and 130 sets a lot. I can recall two Zeniths of the era which weren't so great-- an '87 13" portable that was made in Mexico--by then the build quality was pretty poor but the picture was still great and the CRT seemed really strong. The other was an '86 system 3....the type that had an electronic tuner with keypad and LED display, but was non-remote. It had a manual on/off switch and volume pot. This seemed like a cop-out move to me, but again the picture was really good for its age. Zenith was probably just trying to maximize profits and cut costs by like 1989 or 1990 and who knows, maybe the batches of bad crts were OEM'd by some tiny offshore company and it was beyond their control.

At least we can still get fresh 9-181 mainboards and others on the net. Tons of those still out there for the 80s sets.

As for this '88, I really doubt there was a hidden menu or service menu but I would check for a cable/normal switch which may enable the channels to be preset easier. Just an idea. Also, If its got an ENTER key on it, that could be your ticket.

Gotta go now and get my snowblower working....hear we're gonna get some snow in the city.