CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

shadow-wulf · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:22 am Post subject: HELP Zenith Pro 881 no light

Hello to all!

I've been enjoying my crt projector for 13 years and the last couple of days when I go to turn it on the fan sound comes on but not the 3 lights. Going back to it later sometime it does come on.

Any ideas?

I have tried to do a forum search but haven't found what I'm looking for.

Thanks for any info

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:28 am Post subject:

Man, and just as I was going to throw out the last few of my 881 parts.

This will be a tough one to diagnose, as it was Zenith's first generation set after years of making the Zenith 851. Very few were sold (unlike the data grade PRo 900 that was a totally different beast internally, but looked the same externally.

There's really not much out there period for the 881. I do have one complete working set that I can literally give you the boards out of for the cost of shipping, and a couple of bucks to rip it apart. Truthfully, it's been under my deck for the last 6 months, so I'd have to bring it in for a week to make sure all the moisture is out of it, but I'm sure it still works.

Thing is, this is a video only set, and can't do HD. even if you're next door to me, (post your location), you're better off investing in a data grade set, and spend a few $$ to upgrade your whole system to HD. Standard definition is so.... so... 1990s! Smile

With the 880, 881 and PRO 900/895, the biggest failures are in the horizontal, high voltage and vertical sections, sometimes the power supplies go bad. Short of the schematic (which I don't know that I have) and some good TV troubleshooting skills, you'd have to shotgun the set with board replacements to find the one that went bad.

As I said, consider going HD, otherwise for under $100 incl shipping, I'll send you tested confirmed working boards to get you going if you want to keep that set running.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:22 am Post subject:

He's in Guelph Ontario Curt, you need to use your moderator functions more.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject:

No, that's just too much responsibility for me. Razz

shadow-wulf · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:11 am Post subject:

Sorry about forgetting to post location. I am somewhat near Guelph as was mentioned. So it is possible to upgrade this old beast to something approximating HD? I'm shocked, it was my first projector and has been our main TV until last year when I finally got around to fishing wire through my walls and ceiling for my Panasonic.
If you think there is any merit to doing the board swap I'd love to know more about it. I was big into home theatre and audio until major health concerns shifted my perspective. How much would you want for the pieces you spoke of? And thanks for the response!

shadow-wulf · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:20 am Post subject:

Oops, I'm more tired than I thought. I reread your post and saw the $$ part. So the boards you have are the same as what's in mine, a relatively straight swap? I also figured out that no, I wouldn't be able to upgrade the old beast. Doh! Honestly $$ is currently a problem so buying a new HD projector when I already have one upstairs isn't really in the picture. (groan) The old zenith has been in our theater but I have the panasonic in a big open room for when friends come over, and only has 2.1 sound. I'll talk to my wife and see what she thinks. Thanks again.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:24 am Post subject:

Right, no upgrade, but I'm sure we can get it going with replacement boards. Let me know when you decide.
Cheers!

shadow-wulf · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:41 am Post subject:

I'm back.... The old beast has been working on and off for the last week. Embarassed

It's obviously on it's last legs as far as one of those boards you mentioned.

I'm hoping I'll be able to afford them by the second week in March, so I'll send you a post in the first week to work out details.

I'm reasonably handy with my hands and I did all of the wiring throughout my home for burglar alarm as well as speakers and RCA runs as well.

With those skills in mind do you think I myself would be able to swap out a board (with or without soldering) or will I need to track down a CRT tech to do it for me?

Thanks again for your help, I appreciate it tremendously. Thumbs Up

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:03 am Post subject:

Have you ever swapped cards in a computer?

shadow-wulf · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:02 am Post subject:

Yup, built my own from scratch and upgrade most of my friends computers.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:10 am Post subject:

shadow-wulf · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:17 am Post subject:

Hi Curt I'm finally back, do you still have those cards for the Zenith 881? IF so can we email to set up the details please?

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:30 am Post subject:

Well seriously, I threw out everything for the 881 about a month ago, but luckily I held onto a few pieces along with my test set. Just for you. Don't you feel special? Smile

There's a thread here somewhere telling about my hoarding tendencies, and how I've spent the last month throwing out 3 dumpsters full of junk, but indeed, I did hang onto some stuff.

Shoot me an email to curtpalme at shaw.ca, and we'll figure it out.

shadow-wulf · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject:

I'm special! Smile

yes I am very grateful, I'll be emailing shortly. Thanks goodness for people like you or I'd be up that proverbial creek.

mc86 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:43 am Post subject: