1970s RCA XL-100 13" Color TV need some info

[vortalexfan]

Hello everyone today I picked up from a friend of mine from church a 1970s vintage RCA XL-100 13" Color TV that I would like to know a little bit about, such as what kinds of issues these TVs develop, or what kind of quality these TVs were, etc.

The TV looks to be a low hours set and is in really good shape in fact both of the bulbs for the tuner backlights are still working.

The model number of the TV is ET 396W.

Any information about this TV would be appreciated.

See pictures below.

[vortalexfan]

Also as a little update to this TV, looking at the power consumption label on the back of the TV (second picture in the initial posting) I have reason to believe this is a remote control set (ultrasonic of course) because the power listing shows 2 different wattage listings 100 watts and then 180 watts under the words "Remote" which is why I believe this TV might be a remote controlled set.

[old_tv_nut]

Having both power ratings molded into the back does not indicate which this set is. That would have to be determined by the model number. I don't know the code - maybe someone else does.

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by old_tv_nut

Having both power ratings molded into the back does not indicate which this set is. That would have to be determined by the model number. I don't know the code - maybe someone else does.

OK, well I didn't know because I'm still trying to familiarize myself with these older TV sets and their features.

[damen]

RCAs from that era would have the letter "R" at the end of the model number if it was remote.

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by damen

RCAs from that era would have the letter "R" at the end of the model number if it was remote.

Well mine has a "W" at the end... Also I found a date of 1973 inside the TV which I'm guessing means this TV is from 1974?

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

Well mine has a "W" at the end... Also I found a date of 1973 inside the TV which I'm guessing means this TV is from 1974?

Measure the diagonal dimensions of the screen. I think, that is a 17" set!
RCA's of that type with the two tuners were never remote sets.
The "W" in the model # means Walnut finish. Set is possibly a CTC72!

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

Measure the diagonal dimensions of the screen. I think, that is a 17" set!
RCA's of that type with the two tuners were never remote sets.
The "W" in the model # means Walnut finish. Set is possibly a CTC72!

Ok, I wasn't sure. But is it considered a good set? Also the lower right hand corner of the screen has some purity issues (it looks like it got magnetized somehow) how would I fix that issue? Other than that it's got a really nice picture.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

Ok, I wasn't sure. But is it considered a good set? Also the lower right hand corner of the screen has some purity issues (it looks like it got magnetized somehow) how would I fix that issue? Other than that it's got a really nice picture.

The last one I worked on had just a dirty tuner issue. For the most part, the set was pretty reliable.
IIRC, the set uses a factory-bonded yoke, which would come loose, affecting the purity.
The time flies! the set is 48 years old! It's been years since I worked on one.

[Electronic M]

If it's one of the modular early XL-100 sets (production date suggests it is) then it's basically on par with Zenith CCII sets only the CRT isn't quite as immortal, and if the horizontal ever checks out you'll have to deal with the SCR horizontal sweep many techs found confusing and generally hated...

I had to troubleshoot one of those SCR RCAs for a friend once. I got off easy with a shorted trippler, but it took hours of box checking off on RCAs service procedure to figure it out. Boy was I glad I had given my friend a parts chassis. I could just drop a new trippler in and see picture on the set to confirm I hadn't wasted my time.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

If it's one of the modular early XL-100 sets (production date suggests it is) then it's basically on par with Zenith CCII sets only the CRT isn't quite as immortal, and if the horizontal ever checks out you'll have to deal with the SCR horizontal sweep many techs found confusing and generally hated...

I had to troubleshoot one of those SCR RCAs for a friend once. I got off easy with a shorted trippler, but it took hours of box checking off on RCAs service procedure to figure it out. Boy was I glad I had given my friend a parts chassis. I could just drop a new trippler in and see picture on the set to confirm I hadn't wasted my time.

That chassis doesn't use the SCR sweep, it seems to use the conventional circuit with just a horiz output transistor.

[zeno]

Take some nudies of the chassis. Also post the CTC## chassis number.
The chassis number is what most of us know them by. Its inside on
a tag or inked on the chassis.

73 Zeno
LFOD !

[Blast]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

Well mine has a "W" at the end... Also I found a date of 1973 inside the TV which I'm guessing means this TV is from 1974?

Serial number indicates 17th week of 1974. So, built for the 1975 model year.

I'm with dieseljeep - 'W' likely indicates walnut cabinet.

Looks like a fun project!