Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthode
With the documents I received with the Zenith, it appeared two subsequent sets were purchased as subsequent replacement sets: a hybrid GE in the early 70's and a solid state mid/late 80's Capehart . There was no sign of the later sets in the house. This suggested despite newer "replacement" TV sets bought, the previous owner hung on to the old Zenith. I was told by the new owner of the house, the set was hidden away with stuff placed on top hence I do not believe the Zenith was used much at all after the new sets were bought. Perhaps sentimentality and the memory of the hefty purchase price made it difficult to part with the Zenith? Nevertheless the Zenith remained in the same house for nearly 52 years.
I tested the sets original Zenith CRT and there was initially little sign of any cathode emission. Leaving the tube heated for an evening, the tube eventually showed good emission on all three guns. I wonder if there is a relationship how many years the tube sits dormant and how long it takes to wake up?
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One way or another...SOMETHING prevented it's demise. And it sat there for all of those years...just WAITING for someone like one of us to come along--who would appreciate it for what it is. In all likelihood--those other sets LONG ago--hit a packer truck..but somehow--the Zenith was spared...
And aren't you glad it was ?
You said-"stuff was on top of it" and so it was used as a "shelf" That MAY be what saved it...
Round color tubes often have decent life after all of this time. Both of the CTC-5's I have ran across in recent years had very good, like new tubes. But my 29JC20 does NOT have a good tube, the red gun is weak--and will not come up. I wonder why--maybe my set got a lot more use--or the tube was defective from the beginning. It will work--but is obviously deficient on the reds.
I do have a JP22 I could put it it that is quite good--but it has been sold. I have one more--in a 24NC31 parts set--a channel master dated 1979 I think--that I think tested good some years ago--and maybe sometime--I will put it in there. One way or another--I am going to pull that tube and all else-- and get rid of the cabinet--I need the room for other sets.