Last Chance for a System 3 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

bgadow · #1 11-05-2010, 09:50 PM

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine asked if I would take his old TV. He said it was a Zenith remote console that he bought new, he thought in the late 60s/early 70s but maybe later. It was going to the recycling center if I didn't want it, though he really wanted to find it a home.

So, tonight I got it. I was hoping for a $ervice $aver or flat chassis solid state but I can't say I'm surprised by what it is: a 1981 System 3. It is a "modern" style cabinet, swivel base (sorry, left my camera at work), good condition, includes the owners manual, original bill of sale (over $800 with tax) and the remote. They said that it wouldn't power up. They are fairly handy with electronics and found a bad diode; after replacement it would stay on for about 15 seconds and shut off. Main board is the infamous 9-160-6. I am NOT going to devote much time (and no money) to fixing this; its best fate at this point is, if I can get it to work, I will put it out for free on the curb. If not, it goes to the recycling center. So, what should I look for? I'm thinking bad cap, but I don't want to go into replacing a whole bunch for naught. There is a chance I might even have one of those boards around here...I recently tossed some Zenith boards, but not all of them.

Oh-if anyone wants this set, come and get it, no charge!

radiotvnut · #2 11-05-2010, 10:13 PM

Pull the 9-160 and re-solder the crap out of it.

mwplefty · #3 11-05-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgadow

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine asked if I would take his old TV. He said it was a Zenith remote console that he bought new, he thought in the late 60s/early 70s but maybe later. It was going to the recycling center if I didn't want it, though he really wanted to find it a home.

So, tonight I got it. I was hoping for a $ervice $aver or flat chassis solid state but I can't say I'm surprised by what it is: a 1981 System 3. It is a "modern" style cabinet, swivel base (sorry, left my camera at work), good condition, includes the owners manual, original bill of sale (over $800 with tax) and the remote. They said that it wouldn't power up. They are fairly handy with electronics and found a bad diode; after replacement it would stay on for about 15 seconds and shut off. Main board is the infamous 9-160-6. I am NOT going to devote much time (and no money) to fixing this; its best fate at this point is, if I can get it to work, I will put it out for free on the curb. If not, it goes to the recycling center. So, what should I look for? I'm thinking bad cap, but I don't want to go into replacing a whole bunch for naught. There is a chance I might even have one of those boards around here...I recently tossed some Zenith boards, but not all of them.

Oh-if anyone wants this set, come and get it, no charge!

If it looks anything like this, it's definitely worth saving.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ZENITH-S...#ht_500wt_1156

bgadow · #4 11-06-2010, 05:01 PM

Same age, basically, but in a wood cabinet, floor model. Not my favorite kind of set. I pulled the 9-160 this afternoon and did a lot of soldering. I also found that C3458 (a smallish disc cap) was blown apart. Looks like I threw away every schematic I ever had for these. I think I'll throw in a .001 and see what happens.

Findm-Keepm · #5 11-06-2010, 06:15 PM

From my database of tips:

(All parts are on the 9-160 module)

Cx3226, Lx3351, Tx3351, And Rx3227 on 9-160 Module Solder Connections bad

C3315 - if power shuts off intermittently

Hope it helps,

Findm-Keepm · #6 11-06-2010, 06:17 PM

What is the Sams? I can pull mine on Monday to see if my dear ol' Dad had any other repairs he chronicled on the schematic.

Ed in Tx · #7 11-06-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwplefty

If it looks anything like this, it's definitely worth saving.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ZENITH-S...#ht_500wt_1156

I have one almost exactly like that out in the garage with the "space phone" too, FREE for the taking if anyone wants to come get it in the Dallas area. It has the intermittent power problem.

Chad Hauris · #8 11-06-2010, 08:49 PM

Bryan, if you are going to junk the set would you be able to salvage the chassis/modules from it for me for a fair price/shipping? Even if just the CRT module. I have probably about 10 or 12 of these sets and I have had to cannibalize some of the modules from some of them (especially the CRT module) to get the others working.

bgadow · #9 11-06-2010, 09:40 PM

Thanks, all! I replaced that cap and turns out I guessed right on the ratings-found a remnant of the old one. Anyway, buttoned it back up and tried it for the first time myself. It powers up okay but shuts off after about 30 seconds. If you push the power button twice it will come back on and run for another 20-30 seconds. Nothing obvious getting hot. I then realized that this set has a timer, for turning it on-off. A-ha! So, I played with that...no dice. I even unhooked the switches that seem to control that, same thing.

Findm, I can't find a model number on this anywhere. The label on the back cover is faded to oblivion. I'll check in the light of day for a possible chassis number somewhere. I'll give it a few more days, if we can't come up with a solution guess I'll junk it. Chad, I'd be glad to send you those boards for cost of shipping. I'd at least like to be able to tell the owner that somebody got some use out of this. I might have some NOS/good used boards-let me know what numbers you need, if you get a chance. I could toss them in as well.