GEC 2015 Crystal 13" model

... the main fault ... appears to be in the sound IF stage ... early capacitor replacement is needed plus possible sound IF realignment ...

Brian, don't forget the IF decoupling caps in your replacement programme before attempting to touch the alignment ...

This particular set has never had a UHF tuner fitted with provision for one to be fitted at a later date if required. The 405/625 switch operates however.

No longer needed if you can find a VHF modulator for the 625-line signal - easier that hunting for a possibly unavailable UHF tuner, mounting kit and knobs, etc.

Hi Brian,

That's much tidier than the one I had.

Mine was in a sorry state after languishing in a leaky loft, or shed, or something.. I never did get round to sorting mine out, and ended up giving it to Marc who has had some successs in breathing new life into it.

Mine, now Marc's, has the UHF tuner fitted, and an excellent CRT.

There was a "full" dual standard Crystal on the bay not so long ago - twice round but didn't sell.. It had a major crack/split in the face of the CRT - definitely gone to air, but might yet come around again.. Worth keeping a lookout for.

Marion

Hi Marion,

I must get the Crystal back on the bench and fit it with new trimmer pots and finish it off.
The Crystal on ebay with the cracked screen sold for £9.99 at the beginning of November.

Marc.

Brian I scanned the GEC service manual for this set and it resides in the technical library. You will also find the John Law Television article of July 1974 on fault the 2015 in there as well.

Hi Marion,

I must get the Crystal back on the bench and fit it with new trimmer pots and finish it off.
The Crystal on ebay with the cracked screen sold for £9.99 at the beginning of November.

Marc.

Hi Marc,

Okay... I'll just update me primary boot file...

That must have been its second outing then? - It was in really nice condition too.

Marion

Hi Marc,

That must have been its second outing then? - It was in really nice condition too.

Marion

Hi Marion,

I fancied a stab at it myself but it was too far away to collect, mind you the one you let me have isn't in that bad a condition so stripping the ebay one for spares would have seemed a bit cruel

Marc.

Brian, don't forget the IF decoupling caps in your replacement programme before attempting to touch the alignment ...

Sound advice Terry, many thanks. Looking at the alignment would be a last resort. Gary and I found audio was heard on another channel which could suggest mislignment but as you say the decoupling capacitors need changing first.

As for fitting a UHF tuner I'm happy to leave the set as it is unless the very unlikely event the correct tuner and knobs become available.

Just want to say another very big thank you for recommending the NCH Photo Pad image editor program last year. An excellent program.

Chris- the 2015 doesn't appear to have been included in the "Radio & TV Servicing" books. Many thanks for giving the date of the "Television" issue which included the servicing article and for putting the circuit on the Technical Library. I'll have a look at it soon.

Cheers and many thanks,
Brian

... the main fault ... appears to be in the sound IF stage ... early capacitor replacement is needed plus possible sound IF realignment ...

Brian, don't forget the IF decoupling caps in your replacement programme before attempting to touch the alignment ...

This particular set has never had a UHF tuner fitted with provision for one to be fitted at a later date if required. The 405/625 switch operates however.

No longer needed if you can find a VHF modulator for the 625-line signal - easier that hunting for a possibly unavailable UHF tuner, mounting kit and knobs, etc.

Does the standards switch not switch the IF from the VHF tuner to the UHF tuner as well?

... Just want to say another very big thank you for recommending the NCH Photo Pad image editor program last year. An excellent program ...

In that case, Brian, you might be interested in this image converter from the same stable: http://www.nchsoftware.com/imageconverter/index.html

Free for personal use - the only downside being that you can only process one file at a time - it is excellent for resizing images to suit the forum - if Jamie reads this, he might like to take note! - and the level of jpg compression can be adjusted to suit. I do a lot of work with png files but with this I can resize and convert to jpg (or any other format) in one operation.

Many thanks Terry.
Chris- just seen the manual, excellent stuff, many thanks. I'll study this in detail before starting work tomorrow. First task will be to fit a contrast control. I realise I'd omitted the side view in the original photos.

Cheers,
Brian

No longer needed if you can find a VHF modulator for the 625-line signal - easier that hunting for a possibly unavailable UHF tuner, mounting kit and knobs, etc.

These models allow 625-line VHF operation by simply transferring the flylead from PC8 to PC13. I've now done this and was rewarded by strong VHF signals when switched to 625-lines. A fantastic set for TVDX! I have a modified Thorn 1500 tuner somewhere which downconverts UHF to VHF BI and II but can't find it at the moment. Obtaining a VHF modulator would be ideal, the last time I saw an example was in a Sinclair ZX81 export version badged "Timex" with a VHF modulator where I worked over 30 years ago.

Back to the set, I've now had a look inside then realised I'm out of certain components so will be putting in an order with CPC shortly. I replaced the PCL85 cathode electrolytic with a temporary 440uF component being out of the correct 220uF type for example. This and replacing the PCL85 with a PCL805 only gave marginal improvement so I'll have to change all the capacitors and check resistor values. Fortunately it's possible to remove the timebase panel to allow for replacements to be fitted.

I've solved the lack of line sync by applying switch cleaner to the controls, now rock steady. Sound is also obtainable, though very distorted. This could be anything in the relevant area upto the speaker itself.

Much more to do but I'm sure of being rewarded with an excellent set!
Cheers,
Brian

More work on the set yesterday while awaiting some components to arrive. Several capacitors were replaced together with resistors in the frame circuit which had not unexpectedly gone high in value. Access to the timebase panel is not bad at all, two valve base-type plugs and three flyleads to unplug then the whole lot should lift out once the valves are removed. The flyleads had stuck solid so I decided to do as much as I could while partly in situ.

I was surprised to note most of the valves are Mullard originals, including the PY800, PL81A and PFL200. The PCL85 had been replaced by a Mazda type in the past. There's no set boost control in this version, just a simple Width MIN and MAX tags. I see it's in the min posistion. After work had been carried out the Mazda PCL85 was re-fitted.

As can be seen the linearity is now much improved, but still room for some improvement. There's a curious shading at the top right hand side which could be due to picture shift magnet misadjustment.

I now only need to fit a new mains filter capacitor, contrast control and sort out the horrible distorted sound then carry out final adjustments before passing the set as restored.

Cheers,
Brian

Excellent

As we've come to expect from you Brian, nothing less than a first class restore partnered with a interesting and detailed write up. Always thought this would be a little cracker once it was given the bench time it deserved.

... I have a modified Thorn 1500 tuner somewhere which downconverts UHF to VHF BI and II but can't find it at the moment. Obtaining a VHF modulator would be ideal ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RF-Modulator- ... 2a42b3223e

£13 + £2 P+P. "Modulator RF 9000 Channel UHF 21-69 VHF 1-12"

Others are available but this was the first I found.

Hi Terry,

Fantastic! I've just ordered one. Many thanks for finding this.

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your kind comments. I'll keep you all posted with the set.

Cheers,
Brian

Excellent

As we've come to expect from you Brian, nothing less than a first class restore partnered with a interesting and detailed write up. Always thought this would be a little cracker once it was given the bench time it deserved.

I'll drink to that!

Good work Brian. That picture looks absolutely stunning. Now you just need the sound to match!

Steve

A nice result and a pretty rare set too, I suspect.

Tas

Bit more work this afternoon. I can see why the contrast control was never replaced, probably the most inaccessible part in the set. Not having the right type to hand, nor the correct knob for that matter I was able to burn a groove into the broken shaft knob to allow screwdriver adjustment.

Replacing the mains filter capacitor was bad enough, not helped by the restricted space within a partially converted roof space I'll have to accept for the time being. I'd also inadvertantly snipped the chassis connection from the on off switch while removing the original capacitor!

Not unexpectedly with it mounted at the top of the cabinet, wiring an external test speaker resulted in normal sound. I'll look for a replacement in the New Year.

Hopefully the VHF/UHF modulator will arrive soon to enable testing on 625 lines.

Cheers,
Brian

I wonder if GEC took inspiration for their 1965 Crystal 13, from the American 1963 Admiral Playmate 11 ?

There's more than a passing resemblance between the two.

Cabinet style
Chrome decal plate above CRT
Aerial placement
Channel selector
The three side controls horizontally placed with a medium sized one above.
The lift up "T" Handle
The limited view of the chassis even looks similar.

The main deviation being the channel select indicator, probably excluded on the GEC due to cost.