What to do on used sets?

[coppercity]

I was wondering if you guys could give me a list of things you do to used sets. Right now all I do is dust them out and tweek the focus control. Is there anything more to do?

[Jon A.]

Well, on a set that seems to be working properly, do a visual on the electrolytic capacitors and change any that are bulged and/or have pus coming out of them. I'm sure others here can chime in with more.

[radiotvnut]

On TV's that I used to pick up to fix and resell, I'd sometimes replace any known capacitors that fail (mainly ones in the vertical and power supply circuits) and I'd also resolder any solder connections that looked bad (that was back when I could easily get $50-$75 for a 19" TV). Now, used TV's are not hardly worth the effort and a lot of the sets I find today already work. On the ones that don't work, I do as little as I have to do to get them going. I'm sorry; but, when a used TV only brings $10-$30, I'm not spending a bunch of time and money doing "preventative maintenance" just so it will last a little longer. When all these people are willing to spend are a few dollars on a TV; then, they can deal with whatever happens or spend hundreds for a new TV with a warranty. There's been times that I've paid more for broken TV's than what I can get for working ones today.

If it were a TV I was fixing for my use, I'd replace any common failure capacitors and resolder any questionable solder connections. I'd also adjust the CRT drive/bias and focus controls, if needed.

[zeno]

Sage advice given. What I would do is model specific.
An example is Sonys that get a cold joint in the hoz drive,
blow hoz out, 2 power supply transistors & a fusable.
You bet I will solder that need it or not. Other common
things are best left alone til needed if ever.

73 Zeno

[lnx64]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

On TV's that I used to pick up to fix and resell, I'd sometimes replace any known capacitors that fail (mainly ones in the vertical and power supply circuits) and I'd also resolder any solder connections that looked bad (that was back when I could easily get $50-$75 for a 19" TV). Now, used TV's are not hardly worth the effort and a lot of the sets I find today already work. On the ones that don't work, I do as little as I have to do to get them going. I'm sorry; but, when a used TV only brings $10-$30, I'm not spending a bunch of time and money doing "preventative maintenance" just so it will last a little longer. When all these people are willing to spend are a few dollars on a TV; then, they can deal with whatever happens or spend hundreds for a new TV with a warranty. There's been times that I've paid more for broken TV's than what I can get for working ones today.

If it were a TV I was fixing for my use, I'd replace any common failure capacitors and resolder any questionable solder connections. I'd also adjust the CRT drive/bias and focus controls, if needed.

What if I had found my childhood TV, and it doesn't work, and I really wanted it working because it was sentimental and was willing to pay you a generous amount of money, and a case of beer?

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by lnx64

What if I had found my childhood TV, and it doesn't work, and I really wanted it working because it was sentimental and was willing to pay you a generous amount of money, and a case of beer?

Well, you could keep the beer; but, it you brought me an old TV and was willing to pay to get it fixed, I'd do what I could for you.

Several years ago, a guy brought me a mid '80's 19" Emerson color TV (the one with the chassis mounted sideways) for repair. He said he'd taken it to other shops and was told to throw it away. One shop told him, "throw that piece of junk in the creek and get you a real TV."

This guy didn't want a new TV, he wanted his Emerson fixed; which, I fixed and he was happy.

However, situations such as his are rare. Had he given me that same TV, I wouldn't have spent more than a few minutes and a few second-hand part on it because I would have been doing good to get more than a few dollars for a mid '80's woodgrained plastic cased TV.

[TVTim]

Originally Posted by coppercity

I was wondering if you guys could give me a list of things you do to used sets. Right now all I do is dust them out and tweek the focus control. Is there anything more to do?

I do about as much as you do. Although I may do my first cap change soon. May.......

[Eric H]

It really depends on the set, stuff from the 80's will likely need nothing unless they use knobs, then they might need some cleaning and lube.

Some 70's sets like the Zenith CCII need to have the safety caps checked so you don't blow the tripler and CRT, and of course that era will need Pots and tuners cleaned.

Preventive recapping is always an option, particularly in the sweep circuits where the most problems occur. You can prevent a Vertical IC or a HO Transistor from getting destroyed with some fresh caps.

90's and up just watch them till they die then toss em.

[Retro in RI]

Originally Posted by Eric H

It really depends on the set, stuff from the 80's will likely need nothing unless they use knobs, then they might need some cleaning and lube.

Some 70's sets like the Zenith CCII need to have the safety caps checked so you don't blow the tripler and CRT, and of course that era will need Pots and tuners cleaned.

Preventive recapping is always an option, particularly in the sweep circuits where the most problems occur. You can prevent a Vertical IC or a HO Transistor from getting destroyed with some fresh caps.

90's and up just watch them till they die then toss em.

I just picked up a Zenith CCII. I understand cleaning the pots, but what are the safety caps and how do I check them? I'm pretty handy around cars and houses but new to electronics so please bear with me. This is one set I actually paid for and I don't want any problems if it can be prevented. Thanks.

Al

[zeno]

Originally Posted by Retro in RI

I just picked up a Zenith CCII. I understand cleaning the pots, but what are the safety caps and how do I check them? I'm pretty handy around cars and houses but new to electronics so please bear with me. This is one set I actually paid for and I don't want any problems if it can be prevented. Thanks.

Al

OK check the chassis number. Its stamped in ink on the metal part of the chassis. The sets effected were
17EC45, 19EC45 & 25EC45 runs 401 and higher.
17FC45, 19FC45 & 25FC45 all runs.
Often there is a tag on the back saying "4 lead capacitor modified"
if it has it you are OK.
Also EC chassis under run 401 have a similar problem that needs
addressing but not as critical.
Let us know what you got.

73 Zeno

[Retro in RI]

Originally Posted by zeno

OK check the chassis number. Its stamped in ink on the metal part of the chassis. The sets effected were
17EC45, 19EC45 & 25EC45 runs 401 and higher.
17FC45, 19FC45 & 25FC45 all runs.
Often there is a tag on the back saying "4 lead capacitor modified"
if it has it you are OK.
Also EC chassis under run 401 have a similar problem that needs
addressing but not as critical.
Let us know what you got.

73 Zeno

Thanks. I took the back off last night and found the following stamped ink code c 19EC45, which I see you have listed. There are a couple of tags on the back, one is too faded to read, but the other is legible. I'll check what it says when I get home.

Thanks again for your help guys!!

Al

[Retro in RI]

Ok, one tag is faded and says "for all correspondence must include chassis number........" (too faded to read)

The other tag, which overlaps the first, simply gives the serial number, which is 5429025.

I was disappointed to not see the other tag you mentioned.

Al

[radiotvnut]

One common problem I've seen on many later CRT TV's is lines and foldover at the top of the screen. This problem is almost always caused by a faulty cap in the vertical circuit. However, people will often run the set until the cap blows the vertical output IC. If they'd bring the set to me when it first started acting up, their bill would be cheaper and my job would be easier.

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

One common problem I've seen on many later CRT TV's is lines and foldover at the top of the screen. This problem is almost always caused by a faulty cap in the vertical circuit. However, people will often run the set until the cap blows the vertical output IC.

Good to know, now I know not to turn on my XL-100 again until I'm able to do a recap job. I fired it up for testing when I first got it and it has been sitting ever since.

[lnx64]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

One common problem I've seen on many later CRT TV's is lines and foldover at the top of the screen. This problem is almost always caused by a faulty cap in the vertical circuit. However, people will often run the set until the cap blows the vertical output IC. If they'd bring the set to me when it first started acting up, their bill would be cheaper and my job would be easier.

When riding along with my cable providers tech (as I work for the cable company now), we went to a customers house, with foldover.

She was talking and said "oh that CRT is about to go I know", and we aren't really supposed to talk as I'm in training, but I had to tell her, it might just be capacitors and end up being an easy fix, as the TV still had a great picture, nice and sharp and bright with vibrant colors.

I don't know if she ever took my advice, but I hope she did.. Though it was a BPC TV from maybe 7 years ago, it's picture tube was strong. Just had foldover.