1964 zenith hv & ho current issues

[Tubejunke]

The chassis is the 25LC30 and this is about the HV rectifer; not setting cathode current. I don't want to lose interest from the get go due to redundancy. I have been working on getting my horizontal output cathode current down to a reasonable value. I have posted other threads on this set about my search for and find of a new horizontal efficiency coil that I had to re-core. Old news now, but I never felt good about not being able to get 200mA on the cathode.

So the other night I decided to pull the related tubes and check them again. Sure enough I pull the HV rectifier and pin connection 5 comes out with it. There didn't seem to be any solder on it and with hope I popped the tube back in and powered up. I had zero HV. Today I was able to unbolt the cup mount and thus the tube socket and it turns out that #5 and #6 have fallen out due to what looks like some nasty arching. This explains the sound of corona and what to me would be light arching along with raster distortion that I have intermittently heard and seen from the get go, but could never see.

Since some Zenith folks will be here I must add that the Sam's schematic for this circuit confuses me as the diagram says that pins 1 & 12 are used for the heater. What I find is that #s 8 & 12 are what are actually used. By looking at the tube I am guessing that either set can be used. Seems like there would be a standard config. used at the factory.

So, anyway; everyone knows what I will need now (a new socket), but I guess I will have to go make another thread in classifieds and see what I come up with. There is a guy out of Chicago that does great repair videos on YouTube who particularly likes old Zeniths. Perhaps I can get in touch with him as he probably has ten of what I will need complete with 1.5K ohm resistor and ultor/second anode lead. Wouldn't that be great? Just bolt in and solder two wires!

Thanks in advance to anyone with thoughts and info. SO, good to see more Zenith threads! I guess a few are finally breaking! LOL