'72 GE C2 chassis 18" color TV

[radiotvnut]

Well, it's actually branded as Teledyne/Packard-Bell; but, it was actually built by GE and uses the C2 chassis. This is a hybrid color TV from '72 and has been sitting here for months. Last night, I pulled it out just to see what the deal was with it and the first thing I did was check the CRT. At first, it read nearly dead on all guns; but, I don't think this TV has seen power in at least 30 years and I figured the CRT needed time to wake up. It came up; but, the 3 guns still would not balance; so, I gave it a light rejuvenation. Upon power up, I had no vertical sweep; but, I think that was due to a dirty vertical output tube socket. After I got sweep back, I still could not get a usable signal. After cleaning the tuner, I was able to get a picture; but, I had to adjust the screen controls to get a good B&W picture. Even at that, the white balance sometimes changes; which, is probably due to more poor solder connections and/or dirty tube sockets. Now, we have color issues, as can be seen in the pictures. Right now, it's sitting on top of a BPC set; so, I can't do much troubleshooting. One day, I hope to get it on the bench and fix all it's problems. This TV looks like it would make a decent picture when working right.

Over a 20+ year period, I've seen very few GE's like this. I recall only seeing two portables similar to this one and one cheap 23" console that used a similar chassis. I have an idea that these didn't stand the test of time like an RCA or Zenith; and, as a result, these GE's went to the curb at an early age.

Anyone here ever have any dealings with this chassis?





The color problem:


Picture with color control set at minimum:

[Sandy G]

You'll get there !

[bgadow]

In every pile of Photofacts I've had, one of the most worn out folders was for the C2. Guess that says something. I've had a few of 'em, not the easiest thing to work on and they use those same cheap pots as the Portacolors. A good challenge.

[dieseljeep]

I had two of those and I scrapped them both!
It's evident that it was a smoker's set. It just reeks of nicotene.

[Retspin]

Wow, I still have the 72 GE that my dad bought new in 1972. It was our first color set and I hope to restore it one day. It too has the C2 chassis and from the back looks identical to the set pictured above, though the front looks completely different. I haven't fired it up in 15 years and it had issues then and I can only imagine the trouble it will have when I try to restore it.

[dieseljeep]

I like that lead-based coating on the HV rectifier tube. I have a couple of them.
They recommend, washing your hands, after handling.

[DavGoodlin]

I too, saw my share of those sets. Often used in motels locally, our shop had the reputation of keeping them alive. It was always a few minor things like you found there and they were alive again. And the motel sets DID stink of smoke.

My guess is that the color 3.58 mc oscillator is not on freq. Bad crystal possibly?

Those chassis like that were also found in a budget 23" floor model known as the C1-L2 My uncle had one and it always took some tinkering but nothing major, lasted him until 1988.

[DaveWM]

I wonder if that model used the neon light in the chroma circuit?