1984 Gold Star TV
 

I've had this TV since I was in 5th grade. Even though it's not American, it's still pretty sentimental as it was one of my first "vintage" TV's. I turned it on today for the first time in four years. The CRT is -extremely- weak, it has terrible focus, and the flyback is making some horrendous noises. It's missing a power/volume knob, so you have to use a pair of pliers to turn it on. I'm going to take it apart and clean it one day - I never did that. This TV is incredibly high hours and all that dirt and dust is still in there.

If the best focus is not near the center of the controls
range it may not be the CRT. The noises from the FBT
can usually be quieted down by tightening any mounting
screws or adding wedges. A plastic rod is handy to
poke around & localizing noises.

73 Zeno:smoke:

There is no sharpness/focus control that I can find on the set.

Really? Every Goldstar I remember working on had the conventional SCREEN and FOCUS pots on the flyback, like nearly every other modern solid state set. Maybe they just aren't marked? Focus is usually the one on the top.

-Ian

In seven years, I've never taken the back off the set.

Its got one for sure. Either on the FBT or
a separate part. Dont have a sharpness though.

73 Zeno:smoke:

Be warned that the flyback transformers are high failure parts in these sets. They'll either short and take the HOT with it, will arc out the side, or literally blow their guts out the side of the transformer.

A weak CRT can cause poor focus; but, I'd adjust the focus pot on the inside of the set. If the best focus is obtained at the end of the control range and if this focus still isn't right, the trouble is likely either a bad flyback (internal focus divider inside the flyback) or faulty CRT socket. I've also seen a good many weak CRT's in these; so, I wouldn't at all be surprised if yours is weak.

I bet the flyback and the CRT in this set are both shot. Yesterday, the flyback started making some absolutely terrible sounds. I turned it off after that.

Nows the time to look inside. The set is USA assembled, so it might have an RCA or Sylvania CRT in it an still be good. :scratch2: