1962/3 Zenith 27KC20Q

[Penthode]

Originally Posted by miniman82

Similar story with my CTC-4, I picked it up from the original owner's home. Crazy thing is, there were service tags inside indicating it had been in use up till 1972...

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?