'59 Zenith SC300 16D25Q

[AUdubon5425]

This popped up on the local CL a few days back. Was quite surprised when I realized the significance of this set - the first tabletop remote-controlled TV marketed (according to Zenith's ads.)

The man I bought it from said his parents were going to throw it in the garbage. It was their first TV and was working when put in the attic 30 years ago.

It is complete, including the aerials. One plastic button is missing from the remote and something's rattling around in there. She'll take a lot of cleaning up but should be well worth the effort.

[AUdubon5425]

[bandersen]

Cool score. Your cat sure seems interested
I bet that corner with a transformer above and below is pretty heavy.

[Adam]

Nice set, I got one of those. It's good to find one with the built in antennas, it seems most of these Zeniths are missing those.

[radiotvnut]

Nice! Glad you got it! It looks like it will be an easy restoration and the yoke housing not being rotten is a big plus.

Oh, and it looks like your wife's cat has already taken a liking to this TV.

[dieseljeep]

The first thing I would do is get that 5U4 out of the R/C receiver. It should have a 5Y3 there.

[AUdubon5425]

I started cleaning the exterior - 30+ years in a attic down here isn't kind. There's some light corrosion on the mask and slight discoloration on the bezel behind the dial. Still, it's cleaning up fairly well.

I opened the HV cage to examine the flyback since I saw the wax was flaking off. While gently working the HV rectifier tube the whole socket came out of the insulator - looks like it cracked apart where the screws threaded in. There's also a 4-section electolytic can on the chassis that must be a replacement, because it is so tall it all but touched the yoke windings, and the repairman just wrapped electrical tape around the top of the can.