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1992 Zenith J0920X Portable Color TV

I have the same set in black in my mom's kitchen getting regular use instead of turning on the 46" PTV just for background noise.

I picked it up at the thrift for, I think, $10 also.

I did open it up when I got it home, outside, and checked for little hitch hikers. No work anywhere on the PCB's.

It has a very nice picture for it's size.

I read these were used in Hospitals back then ?

Zenith made a bunch of those 9" sets in many case colors during the late '80's-early '90's. Some were AC-only, while others were AC/DC. Fortunately, I don't think the CRT's were actually made by Zenith; so, you should be safe in that respect.

Does anyone know the remote model that goes with it ?

I sold a few of those models, but not many as that was one of Zenith's most expensive small sets. They are a pain to work on (everything's crammed into a small space), but fortunately, they were really good sets. I don't remember working on that chassis very often.

I do remember those being especially popular in commercial applications. The old clubhouse at Hazel Park in Detroit (harness racing) had tons of those models, mounted on every table in the clubhouse.

Just found out that this set isnt remote capable.
J0923X had remote cabability and no On/off button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut (Post 3073949)

I have a few sets simular to that model. Different colors and one remote. One is branded "Heath". I think that one is ac/battery.
The CRT is Japanese. Good performers. :thmbsp:

Heathkit offered that model in a black cabinet as a kit. This was of course after Zenith purchased Heath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celt (Post 3073975)

Heathkit offered that model in a black cabinet as a kit. This was of course after Zenith purchased Heath.

Never seen a black case one..
Heres some earlier models with aluminum front.

http://www.automaticwasher.info/TD/A...1-14-04-24.jpg

Sometime around '87, we had an early '70's Japanese-built Truetone 14" tube color TV in our motorhome. Once, we were in a town about 30 miles away spending the week with some relatives. Soon after we got there, the TV started giving vertical trouble and we took it to one of the local shops. They didn't really want to fool with a tube set; but, agreed to look at it while we waited. They replaced the vertical output tube, adjusted the vertical controls, charged my Dad $38, and sent him on his way.

As we were leaving, this dealer had several models of those smaller Zenith TV's and he was trying his best to sell my Dad one.

The next day, our tube set started rolling after it got hot and Dad took it back to the shop. The next day, they called to say it was ready and that they replaced some resistors in the vertical circuit. Dad asked how much and the guy said, "Nothing, it's not going to last much longer and you need to go ahead and let me sell you one of those little Zenith sets." I don't remember the exact cost of those TV's; but, I'm thinking in the $300 range and my Dad certainly wasn't going to spend that much for a motorhome TV.

The Truetone set limped along until we got back home and I used it in my bedroom for a little while, before the vertical started losing sync after it warmed up. When it first started acting up, the roll could be stopped with the vertical hold control. After the set got hot, the control did no good.

My Dad took that set to every shop in town and none of them would look at it because it was a tube set. After he carried it to the last shop and got the same statement, my Dad said, "I'm tired of lugging this heavy thing around and will you throw it away for me." They did and that was the last I ever saw of that TV. Had it been a few years later, I could have probably fixed it.

He still didn't buy one of those expensive Zenith's. He bought a 13" knob-tuned Emerson for $149.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut (Post 3073980)

He still didn't buy one of those expensive Zenith's.

Why were they so much money for such a small CRT TV ?

One reason was probably because the ones being shown to us were from an independent dealer; which, tended to be higher than a "big box" chain store. Another reason was likely because they were cable ready; which, added more money to the cost. The Emerson that my Dad ended up buying for $149 was a basic knob tuned TV from Service Merchandise; and, at the time, $149 was a cheap price for a color TV. The next model up was a remote set with a 13 position varactor pushbutton tuner (the type tuner that had a thumbwheel for setting whatever channel you wanted for each position) and I believe it was $199. Color TV's had gotten cheaper by the late '80's; but, it would still be a few more years before the bottom fell out of TV prices. Towards the end of the CRT era, I recall some 19" TV's for under $100 and some 13" TV's in the $69 range. Of course, the quality of those later TV's was lacking in comparison to the older ones.

Truetone 14" colot set.

The 14" Truetone was made by Sharp.
They always had a problem with heat related issues.
Sharp also made a Midland 14" set, that was sold in the late 60's for under $200.00. I also see them branded Wards Airline and even Motorola. :sigh:

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut (Post 3073994)

One reason was probably because the ones being shown to us were from an independent dealer; which, tended to be higher than a "big box" chain store.

It doesnt matter anymore but I must clear up a fact about Mom & Pops
prices. Most of the time they were the same or very close. We
priced our sets based on credit card, free set-up, free instruction & free disposal. 19" & above included free delivery. If someone payed cash
(saved us 3%-5%) & took it home we would often be less.
Other things we gave on all Zeniths were free 1 yr labor & free
2 yr labor on CRT. Sets above 19" were done in home. Only catch
was WE had to do it. Also went to bat on just out of warranty repairs
often getting it covered or just eating it.

Another forgotten or never known fact is Zenith replaced tons
of the bad CRT's up to 5 yrs for free or a discount. If we saw one
we had the owner call Zenith. Depending on the age & feature
level the tube would be free or discounted. We also had to pitch
in on the labor, charging little or none. Needless to say we only
did this for OUR sets. Many were SOL especially sets from Sears.
They bought most sets WITHOUT a warranty & nobody could
do warranty work but them. One day out & you were screwed.

73 Zeno:smoke: