Zenith Space command 600X score!

[drh4683]

I picked up this Zenith console with Space command 600X (aka: SC 600X) from 1973. This is actually the last year zenith used this style of remote (like the 400 and 600) in 1974 they went to the rather bulky rectangular remote. This set is the Avanti V, model SD6425W.

Anyway, this set came from North Barrington, IL and was in a very wealthy subdivision. I got it off craigslist and was on the way to Antioch, IL where I was visiting family for thanksgiving. I bought it off the original owners. From what they told me, they probably never turned the TV on more than 50 times since they bought it new. It was in an unused room in the finished basement. It shows, the set is in great shape and still works great with its original remote.

I have a more appriciation for this style of set now, now that I can see one in person. Its pretty nice with the rosewood top.

Whats unique about this set is that its 100% solid state, known as the "Titan 210 Chassis) it predates the "Chromacolor II". Its built just like the tube type sets, horizontal, point to point but solid state chassis. Its uses the 25DC56 chassis. I am told by a few other techs that this is one of the very best most reliable TV's zenith ever built. It has a varactor tuner. There is still mechanical device (motor drive) to change the rotary switches for the channels. I was unaware of this untill I got the set in person. I thought it would have been a more "silent" channel changer, but its not. I was pleased to find out that there was a motor drive in there afterall!

Only thing I had was intermittent video when I first brought it home. Turns out, it was just intermittent (poor) contact from the tuner IF cable to IF subchassis connection. Any opinions on the 25DC56 from you guys? Any problems you've experinced? Looks like a high quality chassis in there.

In the close up picture of the back of the tuner, that round thing at the bottom of the tuner assembly is the drive motor. Its mechanical, but unlike any other tuner zenith made prior.

[3Guncolor]

It was one of the best chassis Zenith ever made. I think the 25EC58 is the best, first Chromacolor II same basic set up as yours. I see you even got the cover for the channel tuning wheels most of the time it get misplaced. Did you by chance get the channel tabs for the UHF stations? Zenith used motors on most of their tuners untill about 1978 or so. You should be able to get many years out of that set. There are some high voltage hold down caps that can fail. If you can it's a good idea to check the high voltage.

[drh4683]

The door still with the set was the first thing that made me think "most of these probably got lost" as it is not a hinged door. I will check the HV, should be ok though. I like to go over everything before putting a set to use anyway. Ive had it in the basement since friday and really havnt done anything much to it yet. That will be tomorrows project to check everything over.

As for channel tabs, I didnt get anything. The lady I got it from claims she might have the folder with the manuals etc. someplace. My phone number will supposedly be kept should she find anything else....

[drh4683]

Had to take the space command chassis out as the volume stepper wasnt cutting the volume down, rather intermittent. When I went to clean the wiper switch, I noticed this folded tag inside the case. It turns out to be a factory quality control repair tag. Apparently the 37.75 hz section must have had some kind of defect and was serviced. Who ever put it together must have still been hung over after new years 1973. You can see all the different check offs that could have happend durring assembly. This tag was for radio assembly only. Would like to see one for TV, but that will probably never happen as there is no place to "hide" the tag on a TV chassis.
As for the space command chassis, its actually a better design than the previous ones. This one actually has plug in transistors. Earlier versions of the 600 vertical chassis had the transistors soldered in place.

[andy]

Originally Posted by drh4683

As for the space command chassis, its actually a better design than the previous ones. This one actually has plug in transistors. Earlier versions of the 600 vertical chassis had the transistors soldered in place.

I was never a fan of Zenith's socketed transistors. I found that the sockets caused way more problems that the transistors themselves. I've seen a lot of Zenith boards where someone actually soldered all the transistors into their socekts.

[Geoff Bourquin]

I'm one of them. I would often solder the transistors into the sockets. It solved a lot of problems, and I always thought it prevented me being called back a couple days later to fix something else.

That set is beautiful! The chassis looks almost like new. Most of them I saw had 10-20 years of crud on them.