1970s Zenith Console - Troubleshooting

[ThePlague]

Hello all, been awhile!

I've got a good Sylvania 25VAQP22 from ETF sitting in the garage ready for an install. I will begin chassis and picture tube removal in the near future. I will be taking my time and attempting to restore the cabinet at this time as well.

I've located the disassembly instructions in the service manual and it looks more or less straightforward. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/gotchas when doing this kind of work? And with this 25DC56 chassis, are there any items I should touch while the chassis is out of the console? I plan on installing a new voltage tripler given how destroyed the divider was.

[zeno]

Originally Posted by ThePlague

Hello all, been awhile!

I've got a good Sylvania 25VAQP22 from ETF sitting in the garage ready for an install. I will begin chassis and picture tube removal in the near future. I will be taking my time and attempting to restore the cabinet at this time as well.

I've located the disassembly instructions in the service manual and it looks more or less straightforward. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/gotchas when doing this kind of work? And with this 25DC56 chassis, are there any items I should touch while the chassis is out of the console? I plan on installing a new voltage tripler given how destroyed the divider was.

Most sets the CRT comes out as an assy with DGS shield, conv, yoke etc.
Lift out by sides NOT neck. To have grab room put a box a little smaller under the face of CRT. The cabinet will drop away. Move to a table & transfer parts.
Install.
A helper is good, he can lower the cabinet slowly & hold it up to
get the MTG screws started.
Have fun

Zeno

[zeno]

One other thing. Xcelite used to make an extra long 1/4 inch
magnetic nut driver. I would guess its 25" - 30" long. If you can find one its a must for some sets. Also comes in phillips & #10.
I will see if I can find mine & post the model ## for the group.

Zeno

[init4fun]

Originally Posted by ThePlague

Does anyone have any tips/tricks/gotchas when doing this kind of work?

Just one.

Take lots & lots of pics of everything before, and during taking it apart.

[zeno]

Model for driver is Excelite LL-8-M- 1/4
Overall 21" long. Its needed for 19" Zenith hybrids. CRT screws & tuner screws very hard without it.
I have two of them. Cant make up my mind weather to leave each son
one or get buried with one & let them fight over the other !
They are on E-bay sometimes.

Zeno
LFOD !

[ThePlague]

Originally Posted by init4fun

Just one.

Take lots & lots of pics of everything before, and during taking it apart.

Most certainly!!

Originally Posted by zeno

Model for driver is Excelite LL-8-M- 1/4
Overall 21" long. Its needed for 19" Zenith hybrids. CRT screws & tuner screws very hard without it.
I have two of them. Cant make up my mind weather to leave each son
one or get buried with one & let them fight over the other !
They are on E-bay sometimes.

Zeno
LFOD !

Thank you for the tip about the box, sure that will come in handy! I was able to snag a 21" LL-8-M 1/4 on today, its going to save my bacon.

While I was looking around, I figured I should probably get some proper tools. I picked up an B&K HV-40 probe as well.

I am currently looking at NTSC Pattern Generators and I was wondering if you had any recommendations? I am between the B&K 1246 and the Leader LCG-396. I am leaning towards the Leader for the color bar ability, but thought I would ask around before committing.

[zeno]

Look at the Sencore VA48 & VA62 also. We ran them with good
luck. They will do almost everything. Be sure it has BOTH manuals !

Zeno

[ThePlague]

Picked up a VA62 in good working order. Hopefully it survives the post. No manuals, but thankfully all manuals and schematics can be found freely online.