A New Console '94RCA CTC187

[coppercity]

Well I got a 2nd console TV. I really should learn to say no, but I can't ;-) I picked up this up a thrift store, for 10 bucks, a very fair price I think. It's in prefect shape, and has a really good picture. It's a '94 CTC 187 with an RCA tube on a swivel base and AUX inputs.

Let me how I did, how are the CTC187's?

[zeno]

Nice looking set !
CTC187 is one of the sets with the infamous bad connections.
Good news is they have probably been done already. Even
if not its no big deal. Besides that they were very good sets.
Other problems were easily dealt with. The only thing I
would do is read out the E-PROM numbers & keep them
with the set just in case it gets corrupted.

73 Zeno

[coppercity]

Thanks, I agree it's a nice looking set, it has some real wood too.

Could you give me some more details on how to do that?

Originally Posted by zeno

The only thing I would do is read out the E-PROM numbers & keep them with the set just in case it gets corrupted.

[radiotvnut]

Those were decent sets, except for the tuner connection issue. However, if it wasn't for the tuner problem, we technicians wouldn't have made near as much money over the years.

A while back, someone gave me the traditional style console version of that set and I replaced an open R104 (1.5 meg) in the power supply (fairly common problem) and resoldered the tuner. After several months of it sitting at the consignment shop, I finally got $35 out of it.

[Jon A.]

Pretty nice for a late-model console.

[sampson159]

very good sets with fine crts.havent seen many bad ones.i had a ge with the same chassis.replaced hot and damper diode.used for almost 10 years.gave to my grandkids for video game use.still using it

[zeno]

Originally Posted by coppercity

Thanks, I agree it's a nice looking set, it has some real wood too.

Could you give me some more details on how to do that?

Press and hold Menu button, press Power, then Vol+.

Two displays appear at the right and left of center. Use the Vol+ button to step the right display to # V76 (Group 1 setup V76).

Press Ch+ or CH- button to access parameter.

Press Vol+ or Vol- buttons to change software value.

Group 1: V76 Service Adjustment Parameters

Parameter Parameter Value Range
(Ch+/-) (Vol+/- to change)

00 Security pass # for Service Adjustment. Must set to 76. May not
advance until value set.

01 Horz freerun freq 00-31
02 Horz phase 00-15
03 Width (27/31 ) 00-15
04 Pin amp (27/31 ) 00-07
05 Vert center 00-15
06 Vert height 00-31
07 Red bias 00-127
08 Green bias 00-127
09 Blue bias 00-127
10 Red drive 00-63
11 Green drive 00-63
12 Blue drive 00-63

13 Security pass # for Chassis Adjustment. Must set to 77. May not advance to higher param. until value set

Group 2: V77 Chassis Alignment Parameters

Parameter (Ch+/-), Value (Vol+/-).

14 to 24.
25 Security pass # for Tuner Adjustment (Must set to 78)

Group 3, V78 Electronic Tuner Alignment Parameters

Parameter (Ch+/-), Value (Vol+/-)

100 to 156.

Or more specifically:

(From: Glenn Watkins ([email protected]).)

To access the second level of the service menu, first press and hold MENU. Then tap the POWER and then the VOLUME UP buttons. You should see 4 zeros. Press VOLUME UP until the right zeros read '76'. You are now in the first level. Now press CHANNEL UP until you get to 13. Now press VOLUME UP again to '77' on the right zeros.

You are now in the second level.

[zeno]

Originally Posted by coppercity

Thanks, I agree it's a nice looking set, it has some real wood too.

Could you give me some more details on how to do that?

When you do this DO NOT change anything except to get
to the next level. Remember there are 3 levels & apx 100
settings. Just write them down in order & save them.

73 Zeno

[walterbeers]

Definitely save the settings. I used to work on a lot of these TVs and every one that I worked on, I saved the values with the customers information in case it came back again and I had to replace the EEPROM. Most of those TVs have bad grounds around the tuner that was integrated into the main board. I always removed the shields above and below the tuner portion and soldered all the ground that I could see. Yes, it is very delicate soldering, but if you want the set to last and perform it becomes a must. Our neighbor next door still uses one of these sets as her main TV, and yes, I still have the parameter values for that set.

[rcaman]

good sets once the solder issues corrected. i sold a ton of ctc175-187 rca sets
and they were good money makers

[Gunslinger]

The correct repair was to install some jumper wires also.