Zenith Model 5119
 

I fired up my 1964 Zenith for the first time last week since I acquired it last winter. Pictures of it in operation after I replaced the blue and green driver tubes and ran through the gray scale adjustment. The FBP CRT tests strong on all three guns. Set uses a 25LC30 chassis. Oops, I just noticed I didn't have the on/off-volume knob on for the pictures.

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/q...hRoundy003.jpg

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http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/q...hRoundy002.jpg

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Nice set. I have the 1965 version with UHF in the same cabinet, 25MC33 chassis. I probably need to check my color driver tubes because I get green flashes on the screen for about 10 minutes until it warms up.

In your caption you reference a "FBP CRT."
I hope not. Your set requires a 21FJP22 for the safety of its laminated safety glass. The 21FBP22 is for installation in sets which have a separate safety glass in front of the CRT.

No.

It could be an FBP - Zeniths had a conformal safety glass that made it LOOK like an FJP, but it's not. It has a rubber gasket that outgasses and leaks oil over the years. It looks just like an FJP in the cabinet - you can't tell, but it really is an FBP.

Better an oil leaking and gassy gasket than an unsightly cataract, I would say.

I'm pretty confident it's an FBP. I stole this service manual picture off of ebay. The 5119 is listed as having a FBP.

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/q...LC30manual.jpg

"Chitty Bang-Bang, Chitty chitty bang-bang..."

In RCA and Zenith sets, the lower priced sets used non-bonded CRT's.
I, personally like it better that way. :yes:

It would certainly be a lot easier for us now days if they were all non bonded. Interesting that some of the real wood RCA cabinets actually had the non bonded.

Here's a safety glass for a Zenith with the FB tube. They are thicker and have that glossy/shiny appearance. The FJ's are thinner, yet bonded with a satin/low gloss look.

Ah...the joys of changing a non-bonded tube like for like, firing it up, then discovering dirt between the CRT and face plate!
Personally, I was glad (no, ecstatic) when the non-bonded types were replaced by the bonded types in the aftermarket supply chain. :banana:
Phil

Very nice Keven, I now have a Zenith itch to scratch.

I think the thinner glass used on the bonded CRT's is not tempered. The resin was the implosion protection.
When removing the nasty resin from a CRT with a cataract condition and reinstalling with a silicone resin around the diameter, all implosion protection is lost. :no:

That's a scary thought, considering how many FJP's have been modified in that way.

Yep! I'd agree.

And I don't believe any one of us here would get mad at a football game and throw a brick at the set either!! :D

So you guys feel that we might as well leave the separate glass off after an FJB conversion to non bonded?

Hey Kevin! The Packer's last game of the season is on today.
You better watch the game on a different set. :D

Some protection is better than none! :nono:

True, but how many times to you hear of a tube imploding upon itself for no reason? A tube may "go to air" after years of storage but I don't think of them as a ticking time bomb either. And as long as you handle them safely I tend to think we're okay.

And FWIW, that front glass is supposed to aid in radiation protection too. I'd like to find some data to back that up though....

Oh, OK. I was just checking. :D It would be cool if someone would after market a poly carbonate or some type of acrylic lens that fits over an FJB. Maybe make a nice rubber gasket to go with it.

I agree. I'm sure these safety features were mostly aimed at the unaware consumer, in an attempt to fend off crazy wacko lawsuits.

It's good to reinstall for what it was intended for, to cut down on glare that the FB's would have more of, and originality.

I have a local jobber rebuilt FJ in my RCA CTC-16E that I purchased back in the day. He left the front glass off of claiming that it wasn't necessary and you would get a better picture!

Knowing what I know now, I don't believe he wanted to deal with the bonding process (he's gone now). If I can salvage a front glass for it I may install it for restoration purposes.

I must say it puts out a nice picture!!

Yuck!

Actually, bad/spent/gone to air FJP's are at least worth salvaging the front glass before getting rid of them!

Probably some lead in the safety glass to absorb X rays.

For TV watching, get a few foam rubber bricks! All the fun, none of the damage. Nerf yer heart out.

I remember as a kids we'd be shooting those rubber tipped suction cup darts at our TV screen. I also seem to recall it was dad that initially instigated that activity. For whatever reason it was OK to shoot at the TV screen. :scratch2: