70's Zenith TV where to recycle or ???

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
TV kinda looks like this
2010_0412_TV0004.jpg

Both the local TV recycle places wouldn't touch it, they said too old/big, take it to the dump.

Seems kinda a waste, TV has tubes in the back, built like a tank, and the TV still works (well, the only thing I have to verify it works is a old pong game that hooks up to RF, and it shows it fine) so, was wondering what I should do with it?

Sadly, I can't detonate it into orbit, so, no fun stuff.

BTW, where the heck is the model information located on these old things?
All it says on the front is 'zenith color sentry chromacolor TV' and nothing on the back that is a model number or anything, just tells you to 'buy Zenith antennas for best picture."
 

Humpy

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2011
4,464
596
126
If the casework is still in good shape I imagine some creative type person would be interested in re-purposing it into something.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
*shudders*

Amazing Race Canada had a roadblock or some activity in a recycling center. They had people dismantle CRT TVs. I think they were knocking the electron gun thing off the back, some accidentally cracked the rear. If I remember right, they lined the rear with lead to keep the radiation in... Contestants were not wearing masks and probably didn't shower after changing out of their overalls.
 

88keys

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2012
1,854
12
81
If the casework is still in good shape I imagine some creative type person would be interested in re-purposing it into something.
If it still had decent picture quality, it would make an excellent TV for retro gaming.
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
If the casework is still in good shape I imagine some creative type person would be interested in re-purposing it into something.

This.

Refinsh that thing you could do something with the cabinet at least.

Even hinge the top and putting a fish tank in it would be kinda cool.

Just take the tube ad guts out and leave the channel changer/controls.

The case on that thing would probably look great refinished.
 
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MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
*shudders*

Amazing Race Canada had a roadblock or some activity in a recycling center. They had people dismantle CRT TVs. I think they were knocking the electron gun thing off the back, some accidentally cracked the rear. If I remember right, they lined the rear with lead to keep the radiation in... Contestants were not wearing masks and probably didn't shower after changing out of their overalls.

Those old tubes can kill you if you play with them wrong.
 

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2006
6,490
1,021
136
I basically still use one of those for my PC monitor, it kicks ass.

Definitely refurbish or find somebody who will.
Could try a craigslist ad or something to find people.
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
617
121
You could A, keep it in case we are nuked or an EMP goes off or B, give it to Best Buy since they take old TVs. Not sure if they take tube TVs though.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,680
13,317
126
www.betteroff.ca
I would keep that, it's a classic. Does it actually still work? Even if not, that's an awesome TV just for the cabinetry alone.

They don't make stuff like they used to, those big beasts were built with pride, now it's all about making stuff as cheap as possible and so it breaks and can be replaced within a few years.

My grandparents had a similar TV and it still worked, they finally got an LCD as a gift. Not sure what they did with the old TV though, I hope they did not just scrap it. It was a RCA. I wonder if it was a RCA victor actually... those were another classic.

Oh, if it does not work, check inside, it might have some interesting components like vacuum tubes. You may actually be able to part some of that stuff out... heck, check to see if it's just a bad tube, it might actually be fixable. Not that you'd really want to use a TV like that as your main but it could be a fun project to try to fix it. Stuff back them was made more to fix.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,064
9,457
126
Lava lamp on top, Atari hooked to the back, and two beanbag chairs up front. You're welcome.
 

PottedMeat

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
12,363
475
126
best buy wouldn't take it?

i wheeled 2 27" tube tvs in there (a year ago?)and they took them no questions asked
 

Newell Steamer

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2014
6,894
8
0
I suggest dump.

It's ancient and filled with things that will probably harm you, give how back when it was built safety and enviro/end user concerns were not on anyone's radar.
 

Hugo Drax

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2011
5,647
47
91
Sell it on ebay as a "Rare" Vintage TV. you could probably make 200-300 bucks on it.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
The recycling places may have to take it. Around here it would be illegal to take to the dump.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
Back when TVs were literally furniture. I'm a bit surprised the recyclers wouldn't take it. Must be nothing of value inside. Probably best just to dump it.

You sure it has tubes in the back? I assumed everything had moved to solid state by the 70s.

If you want to keep it, it might make for a cool vintage video game setup. Especially if you can snag an Atari 2600. You can also still use it as a regular TV if you get a converter box. Might be nice in a workshop or basement.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,064
9,457
126
If you want to keep it, it might make for a cool vintage video game setup. Especially if you can snag an Atari 2600. You can also still use it as a regular TV if you get a converter box. Might be nice in a workshop or basement.
If I had a play room, I'd outfit it with retro stuff from multiple decades. That tv would have an Atari, and a vcr connected to it, with period furniture. Cheap and fun.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Give it to clockboy Mohammed, he'll invent the world's first TV in an armoire.

LOL, 7/10, not bad...anyway, OP list it on CL in the free section, rednecks LOVE shooting up old CRT's as they implode when the vacuum is suddenly gone. It will be out of your hands by the end of the day.
 

NAC4EV

Golden Member
Feb 26, 2015
1,882
754
136
Put it at the curb with a $100 works great for sale sign.
Someone may steal it. Problem solved.
 

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,235
136
If it still had decent picture quality, it would make an excellent TV for retro gaming.

I'd hope it has an F-type coax connector. I can't go to the corner store anymore to pick up the right kind of transformer to adapt coax to screw terminals.

[edit]

The Atari 2600 had screw terminals anyway. I probably wouldn't care about the TV if it doesn't have composite. NES is as far back as a really care to go with retro gaming, and the composite output of NES was superior to RF coaxial.

I only use S-video for SNES and N64.
 
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ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Yeah... sell it on Craigslist for something insanely cheap like $10. I'm sure that someone will find a cool use for that wood cabinet.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Probably loaded with PCBs (not the good kind) and lead. Get rid of it safely please.