Quote:
Originally posted by Charlie
Jeff,
After checking closer, I figured out the little tabs you mention to make the Space Command skip or stop. This is my first set using a remote, so I am learning a few new things here.
Here is a shot if the emblem lit up as well as the volume level indicator...
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Yes, that's about the only thing I can think of which would cause the tuner to skip channel 4, yet stop on all the other local channels. The tuner in that set is the conventional strip turret, and the SC system is the same as Zenith used for years in its remote sets, so there is really nothing else much that can cause problems of this nature. About the only other things that can go wrong with this system are the drive gears becoming stripped or broken (this often happens when the owner or viewer attempts to operate the channel selector manually, against the resistance of the gear train--which of course is a one-way ticket to big trouble in a mechanical power tuning system, as these are not ordinarily meant to be operated manually except by a manual channel selector knob at the back of the set, to be used in case of motor drive failure), the tuning motor binding up or outright burning out, or a problem occurring in the SC chassis or even the remote hand unit itself. The solid-state SC remotes do not usually give much trouble unless they are dropped or otherwise abused; the only real problems I've ever heard being reported with these remotes are weak or dead batteries, or sometimes the contacts for the control buttons themselves becoming dirty, tarnished or otherwise contaminated.
The same thing happens with today's stock and universal remotes as well after years of use, but the new ones are the dickens of a thing to get apart to work on the buttons; the best thing to do in case of major trouble with unresponsive buttons, etc. in this case, assuming that new batteries don't remedy the problem, is to junk the old remote and get a new universal unit. Most TVs, VCRs and cable boxes with IR remote systems will work with universal remotes, so you won't have much trouble finding one which will work. I use an RCA 3-function universal remote with my 19" Zenith in my bedroom; it works perfectly, giving me the same type of control over all functions as the original full-function remote would have. The remote that came with the set, however, was a bare-bones unit with on/off, mute, OSD display on/off, volume up/down, and channel up/down; the original full-function remote would have cost much more--it was much cheaper to get a universal full-function remote, even if it is a different brand. Heck, if it works, who cares what brand the uni remote is, right?
BTW, I like how that Zenith emblem lights up with the SC chassis energized. Very unusual, IMO, to have a remote receiver on/off indicator, though; Zenith is the first manufacturer I've ever known to have such a feature on its older color sets.
However, I noticed in your picture of the volume indicator that the display looks as if it is in the shape of a letter H. Is this a moving bar type of display, with the middle of the H traveling vertically between the two long bars at either side of it as the volume was adjusted? I was under the impression, from having read another post in this thread, that the volume indicator in this set was three small incandescent lamps behind colored lenses, for low, medium and high volume, respectively.
BTW (2): I took a look at your website. You have a very fine collection of old TVs of several makes, including Magnavox and Sylvania (liking consoles as I do, I especially like the looks of your Maggie three-way unit; the Sylvania looks great as well).
As to your Halo-Light Sylvania TV, I agree with you; it is extremely unusual (almost unheard of, really) for the fluorescent HaloLight tube in these sets to last
anywhere near five decades (most of these burn out or otherwise go bad within about five years, more or less). The only halfway legitimate explanation I can come up with for the exceptionally long life of the tube in your set is that the previous owner did not use the HaloLight function very much, if he/she used it at all.