I got a call from the guys at Ron's TV in wheaton that someone offered them an old zenith TV with the flashmatic remote. They turned it down as they have enough stuff as it is. Greg at Ron's called me up last week and gave me the guys number with the TV.
When I spoke to the guy I asked for the model number and he says "X2391EQ". I looked it up in my manual and was shocked to see "Combination unit" in the service manual. I drove out to Glen Ellyn Sunday night to pick it up. It even had the original flashmatic remote! The grandson of the original owner saved it from being thrown away by his parents. The kids mom and dad couldn't belive someone wanted it. They were so happy to get rid of it. The kid (he was in high school still) was going to repair it for extra credit for his electronics class in high school, but lost interest. He never took the back off the set, or messed with it. They told me it didnt work. I figured being a combo it saw heavy use and that the TV was shot.
I get home and take the back off, noticed it had all original screws holding the back on and the screws were tight. I think I might have been the first to take the back off this TV, as all original tubes are in the set! There was no brigtener on the CRT which surprized me too. I slowly powered the set up with the variac and the TV works, not too bad either considering all those wax caps under the chassis that need to be changed. CRT is bright as new. Put in 2 C batteries in the flashmatic, at first the TV didnt respond to the remote, slight adjustment of the sensitivity knob (the large knurled knob behind the on off volume knob) activated the remote. The TV responded to all four functions! Very loud relay action, expecially the MUTE function. The drive motor turned through the stations just fine. Whats interesting about the flashmatic system is that the motor drive unit is a direct drive gear reduction unit, there is no star wheel like on the space command type sets. Thus, when you change channels, all you hear is the motor and gear train in one smooth consistent motion until it stops.
At a glance, one would think the radio phono just sits on top of the cabinet not related to the TV. It is bolted down at the factory with 4 machine bolts and a simple wire harness that consists of antenna lead to the TV cabinet for FM and the speaker lead. According to my manuals this is only one of 3 combo models to choose from that had Flashmatic remote.
Ironically, the TV is excellent, but the radio saw much use. The radio was repaired probably 40+ years ago by Rogers TV in Wheaton. Must have had some kind of FM problem as all the FM IF cans were replaced with miller types. I wish the job were done a bit neater. The dial cord is broken and someone cracked the tonearm of the strobo cobramatic turntable. Radio does not power up, no filaments light up, but power is getting to the unit as the phonograph works. Its not mint, but pretty good shape. It was bought new on 12-29-55 as was wrote on back of the cabinet. One heck of a nice Christmas present back then! After some orange drops, the set should be good as new
Be sure to watch the small video I made of the TV in action. remember, this is a totally unrestored view of the TV. The vertical sync is a little off:
http://media.putfile.com/1956-Zenith-Flash-Matic-TV