Chromacolor II Instant on - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Jon1967us · #1 05-09-2022, 12:47 AM

I was surprised, as it appears my 1974 19” CCII has instant on. I was unaware these sets had it. With the back removed and the lights off, the CRT filaments are clearly lit when the set is turned off.

Did all CCs have this feature? I’m assuming they phased this out?
What voltage is applied to the filaments?

I have a switch on the AC outlet, but it may be good to do a mod to disable it.

Electronic M · #2 05-09-2022, 01:15 AM

I'm pretty sure they all had it. The way I see it if you use the set regularly (near daily) the instant on isn't a problem, but if you use it less often a switched power strip is not a bad idea.

One of my occasional use sets was in a room with a light switch that controlled one of every pair of wall outlets in the room so whenever I entered the room to watch TV I turned on the outlet it was plugged in to a few seconds before power up so the CRT got a soft start.... That worked well for me.

AlanInSitges · #3 05-09-2022, 06:59 AM

I'm quite sure my parents' F chassis 19" set didn't have it. In fact I don't remember seeing it on any CCII.

Jon1967us · #4 05-09-2022, 11:05 AM

I’m actually quite surprised by it, having never heard a mention of it anywhere. Perhaps the zenith crts were more resilient against cathode wear, and it was less of an issue?

zeno · #5 05-09-2022, 02:44 PM

IIRC E & F line had it but was dropped for G line. Some of the B&W's had
it also. Dont worry about the CRT as they have lasted so many
years & even in the day a bad one was VERY rare.

73 Zeno

LFOD !

zenith2134 · #6 06-21-2022, 11:52 AM

You guys would get a kick out of all the sets I've found with instant-on defeated. And I don't mean properly defeated by a technician, but with an inline switch on the power cord. I often wonder if it saved them or was just a useless attempt at safety.

My K line Chromacolor is the newest Z I own without instant on.

radiotvnut · #7 06-21-2022, 02:58 PM

All of the flat chassis SS chromacolor sets had it and the E and F line vertical chassis CC2 sets had it. In Zenith sets, the "instant on" didn't seem to hurt the tube and I've seen some that had been in use for 30 years and still had a strong tube. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for other brands that used "instant on" and most manufacturers phased it out by the mid '70s. However, I have a 9" Toshiba Blackstripe from '76 and a 19" Curtis-Mahes from '78 that has "instant on."

zenith2134 · #8 06-21-2022, 03:22 PM

How about the "vacation switch"?

I have to believe that average Joe-Q. Public was more intelligent back then.
Imagine a family going on vacation nowadays...Check the doors are locked, car has fuel, and the TVs are all set to Vacation Mode to ensure the tube filaments remain off.....