57 Zenith SC200 console

[Adam]

Lots of grille cloth on that Philco 39-116 and Zenith console stereo too. The Philco grille cloth is a little water damaged, but the grille cloth on that Zenith stereo is perfect. Luckily my cats don't seem to be too into grille cloth.

[Adam]

I took me a while to figure out how best to get the chassis out. The way to go is to pull it all (the CRT and chassis as one unit) out the front at once. I was going to just take the chassis down to the basement and use a test jig, but there's enough space in-between the CRT and chassis for me to recap it like it is. I think I'll leave it together, and make enough room to put that whole unit on the bench.

I've never had a Zenith with this chassis before. Looking through my manuals it looks like it was only used for 2 years, on some 56, and most 57 models.

I also recently picked up a binder which contains images of all the Zenith TVs for 1957. I scanned the 2 pages for this set, and some of the space command advertising that was included.

[Adam]

With a set this old sometimes I just like to recap it before I even try it out. Then solve whatever other problems it has later. Well I did that with this one and it worked after the recap with no further problems. I had to adjust the vertical lin, and replace a a burned out dial light, but that was it. Even the remote works.

This has a good strong CRT and produces a great picture. It's an old set for which you could really sit down and watch a few shows on every now and then. I had been wanting a 1950s Zenith 21" space command console, but had considered not getting this one and holding out until I found one in a cabinet I liked better. But now that I see it running, I'm really happy I got this one.

[Adam]

I put the 57 Zenith back together...

[Gregb]

Turned out great Adam, well done! I really like the sets from that time, they are easy to work on and always give a good result.

Gregb

[marty59]

Adam, this set uses a non-polarized 10mfd@400v for the B+ boost. Looking at your pictures I would imagine it's the rather large, white capacitor. Where did you find the replacement? Large value/voltage non-polar's are 'kinda hard to find!

[Adam]

This is the best picture I've had on a 50s 21" set, I've had 60s and 70s 19 and 23" B&Ws look this good, but not the earlier ones (I think it's mostly that the CRTs are usually a bit week on the 21" sets I find).

I ordered 1 of these film caps: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...pVP4v9aA%3d%3d

But searching around they also have them:

here: http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...=0&pageSize=25

And here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...p2045573.m1684

There's probably other sources too. I couldn't find any non-polar electrolytics with that high a voltage rating, and had to go with those big film caps.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Adam

I took me a while to figure out how best to get the chassis out. The way to go is to pull it all (the CRT and chassis as one unit) out the front at once. I was going to just take the chassis down to the basement and use a test jig, but there's enough space in-between the CRT and chassis for me to recap it like it is. I think I'll leave it together, and make enough room to put that whole unit on the bench.

I've never had a Zenith with this chassis before. Looking through my manuals it looks like it was only used for 2 years, on some 56, and most 57 models.

I also recently picked up a binder which contains images of all the Zenith TVs for 1957. I scanned the 2 pages for this set, and some of the space command advertising that was included.

I think Zenith got the message when all their long-time dealers and servicers complained about, how hard it was to repair them, because of that design.
It probably started with the "Y" chassis.