Fixing Zenith CCII Avante 25JC49

[drwatson32]

Originally Posted by zeno

Big filer cap was reliable, IIRC I changed a few for white humbars, 24 V
supply. The big oil cap has been trouble of late. If opens pix will pulsate if shorts tosses breaker. Also can run hot first. Quick test is undo one
end & see if pix comes back.
When the tripler goes sometime the focus goes high for a time.
Causes CRT socket to arc. Will hiss, smell, & get discolored at
the focus pin.

Zeno

Good to know. The big multisection caps seem to be usually met with doubts in the context of 30's radios. A part of me has always been a little anxious of those blowing apart and spraying the surroundings with scalding hot tar : P

Near as I can tell, things are ok at the socket (pic attached) I'll follow up when I get some downtime to dig deeper, I'd think something that hissed that loud would leave a mark!

[ARC Tech-109]

Originally Posted by drwatson32

Good to know. The big multisection caps seem to be usually met with doubts in the context of 30's radios. A part of me has always been a little anxious of those blowing apart and spraying the surroundings with scalding hot tar : P

Near as I can tell, things are ok at the socket (pic attached) I'll follow up when I get some downtime to dig deeper, I'd think something that hissed that loud would leave a mark!

Depends on where it bites

[Alex KL-1]

Originally Posted by drwatson32

Good to know. The big multisection caps seem to be usually met with doubts in the context of 30's radios. A part of me has always been a little anxious of those blowing apart and spraying the surroundings with scalding hot tar : P

Near as I can tell, things are ok at the socket (pic attached) I'll follow up when I get some downtime to dig deeper, I'd think something that hissed that loud would leave a mark!

With luck, sometimes this "deposit" can be only superficial; but, this seems to be these esay to open sockets (good to check it's innards).

Starts for now with a simple external cleaning

[drwatson32]

Bit of an update- I opened up the socket, not seeing any signs of arcing on the focus pin. https://photos.app.goo.gl/62gdRuM3AhLgeQzE6 (dumping photos off on google to maintain detail) I wish I had a before pic, it seems like possibly the connection between the focus wire and the tripler warmed up enough to melt the solder, else it was poorly done initially.

I also included pics of some possibly sketchy looking crystal formations on the bottom of one of the transformers in the flyback circuit. Are these typically a reliable part?

I've been checking around online for a good tripler for a couple months now, nothing available yet. Certainly a counterpoint to the longevity of the rest of the set haha Any tips on where to check these days? Thanks!

[zeno]

If you havnt try a WTB on the AR site also. So many of these sets were
built so there has to be an ECG sub. Used is possable also but I
wouldnt touch one thats cracked, bulging or discolored !

That white crap I have seen before. Seems to be harmless but wouldnt hurt to gently knock it off.

FBT's were 99.9 % reliable. If you look at the 4 tube hybrid, flat SS chassis,
& the CC2 I did 2 on hybrids ( BIG kits), none on flats & maybe one
on CC2's. Dont get better than that !

73 Zeno
LFOD !

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by zeno

If you havnt try a WTB on the AR site also. So many of these sets were
built so there has to be an ECG sub. Used is possable also but I
wouldnt touch one thats cracked, bulging or discolored !

That white crap I have seen before. Seems to be harmless but wouldnt hurt to gently knock it off.

FBT's were 99.9 % reliable. If you look at the 4 tube hybrid, flat SS chassis,
& the CC2 I did 2 on hybrids ( BIG kits), none on flats & maybe one
on CC2's. Dont get better than that !

73 Zeno
LFOD !

The only time I've ever seen a FBT fail on any pre-System 3 solid-state Zenith color is when the tripler shorted and took the FBT and HOT with it (likely caused by the customer constantly resetting the breaker in rapid succession). I don't recall seeing a bad FBT on the first-generation System 3 (9-153 module), but I've seen plenty of arcing/bad FBTs on the 9-160 modules.

As far as the tripler in the OP's set, I think that's the one with 5 terminals, and I seem to remember that the ECG sub would not work (it would trip the breaker), and an OEM part may be in order here.

I didn't really care for those CC2 sets with the EFL tube. The triplers in those would short the HV to the focus lead and burn up the CRT socket, and in some cases, ruin the tube.

[drwatson32]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

As far as the tripler in the OP's set, I think that's the one with 5 terminals, and I seem to remember that the ECG sub would not work (it would trip the breaker), and an OEM part may be in order here.

Yes, unfortunately it's that 5 terminal one.

[jr_tech]

AR site:

https://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php

jr

[drwatson32]

Originally Posted by zeno

If you havnt try a WTB on the AR site also. So many of these sets were
built so there has to be an ECG sub. Used is possable also but I
wouldnt touch one thats cracked, bulging or discolored !

That white crap I have seen before. Seems to be harmless but wouldnt hurt to gently knock it off.

FBT's were 99.9 % reliable. If you look at the 4 tube hybrid, flat SS chassis,
& the CC2 I did 2 on hybrids ( BIG kits), none on flats & maybe one
on CC2's. Dont get better than that !

73 Zeno
LFOD !

Very informative, thank you. What site is the AR site? Let's say I eventually find a tripler. Would there be anything worth doing to coat the housing for further longevity?

I tried sending a PM to the user that bought an ECG561 to confirm that it worked but hadn't heard a response. Just one discussion here is the only evidence I've seen that this is the cross reference part.