It's a cute but broken: The GE Spacemaker 5" color TV

I couldn't resist making a video about this cute little 5" color TV. It just seems to portable and light but unfortunately it doesn't work. So let's open it up to see if I can figure out what's wrong with it.
GE Spacemaker Model 05GP008
Chassis No. E5-1003A
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[@KAPTKipper]

7:10 you didn't have the antenna in the right configuration. Make the extra 90 straight, rotate the base 90 and the antenna will fit the clip.

[@1marcelfilms]

So called geniuses when they cant even solve a simple problem xD

[@ValuedTeamMember]

Good call agent KAPT. I was dying to have that twisted around & deFunked into another position. From my angle of the dangle it's hard to be sure (duh). I really have to defer to the Man-on-Hand since my remote location there is a outstanding chance that I'm blowing smoke.

[@elbiggus]

Some things: If you straighten the antenna at the second joint then rotate it on the first joint it'll fit fine - operator error! The CRT database said '9" or below', and unless I am very much mistaken 5 is below 9? As for the 12V AC adapter, it doesn't mean an adapter that outputs 12V AC, it means an adapter that is powered from AC and outputs 12V.

[@CartoonMonkeyStudio]

This little TV lives in my home now. Thank you adrian!

[@iamdarkyoshi]

I recognize this set, because I own one. The glue holding the neck board on was conductive. A friend had a radioshack set that ended up being the same internally, and sure enough had the same fault

[@adriansdigitalbasement2]

Oh dear - so yeah that glue really does become destructive. I wonder how many TVs will be destroyed by this blasted glue silently eating away at things?

[@bobbykozak6032]

I’m confused by the terminology here. Is this conductive as in electricly, causing shorts? I was thinking the term he meant was caustic, which causes corrosion.

[@helgew9008]

@@bobbykozak6032 From what I understand, it has to do with water absorption. As the glue absorbs humidity over time, it becomes both corrosive, because of the humidity, and also conductive.

[@someguystudios23]

Thanks for the heads up. I should probably replace the glue in mine...

[@iamdarkyoshi]

The 3.5mm jacks on these portable sets was largely because they have switches in them that disconnect the antenna. One of the diy TV kits I bought from china does have a normal antenna jack and it radiates the input signal from the antenna since the antenna and input jack are just paralleled

[@fgaviator]

Of course Firefox does support rotating PDFs: it's in the menu labeled with ">>". The only menu Adrian didn't try... :)

[@welbow]

You keep waving that TV around - I was waiting for you to drop it :D

[@chloedevereaux1801]

he's not linus sebastian lol..

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

Drop tips?

[@BrianHG.Ocean.Fitness]

The unregulated black level problem you are having relates to what called the 'DC restoration' or 'Black-level clamp' circuitry which is built into the NTSC color decoder IC. To function, the color decoder IC usually requires a series capacitor between the video input pin and the source video signal. The problem you appear to have happens when the series capacitor between the NTSC line and the color decoder chip happens to be internally leaking DC, or the PCB has some slightly conductive material between that capacitor's 2 legs. This part of the circuit is very sensitive and any old electrolytic cap or PCB contamination around this part will throw off the brightness and contrast controls and picture level will be affected by the video content. Also, a blown color decoder IC can also cause problems as well as bad voltage regulator feedback circuitry for the HV flyback circuit.

[@WarrenCurtis-y4s]

shouldnt the extra antenna joint just swivel 90 on the screw to allow the antenna to clip? :) thanks Adrian!

[@KAPTKipper]

I believe so too.

[@Gigaguenther]

I kinda think that as long as there's no remote control involved, then a combination on/off volume switch is an elegant solution that has regrettably come to be associated with cheap devices. It takes fractions of a second longer to use but has a few (admittedly small) advantages in cost savings, decluttering the UI and avoiding the problem of occasionally being blared in the face when the last used volume level is currently inappropriate

[@Sevron415]

i have one of these in my storage unit back in my old state of residence. they are amazing

[@danieldecost5690]

Fun fact - until recently GE owned the patent on the phosphors used in CRT monitors and light bulbs. They were produced in a chemical plant in Cleveland Ohio.

[@azyfloof]

"Cute but broken" Honestly same 🙃

[@horusfalcon]

What an interesting little TV set. Hope it goes on to serve you well.

[@someguystudios23]

I got my hands on one of these a few months ago! Nice little composite test unit. One pin on the neck connector was arcing pretty bad, and it went away when I turned the focus down. I wound up cleaning and squeezing the connector and putting some silicone grease on it and I can now bring the focus to where it needs to be. Works great now!

[@jdmcs]

I think the rotation warning has to do with the under-cabinet mount that would have been included with the set - the Spacemaker series was all about appliances that didn’t take up room on your counter top, and the mount probably couldn’t rotate more than 45 degrees in each direction.

[@tigheklory]

Awesome video! I love CRT work videos!

[@JoCrt]

Great fun video. I love watching monitor repairs.

[@IN-rf1pv]

CRT Database is correct. It says “9 inch *and below*” it is not calling this a 9 inch set. And it’s true, many many 9 inch and smaller non Trinitron type tubes have that screen door effect as they’re just intended to be cheap portable or shop/kitchen TVs, not for critical viewing. Haven’t watched the whole video yet so I assume you discover this later, but CH CALL is simply a status button that displays the channel bar in its current location to know what channel you’re on. Every “bar tuning” type TV has this button for the most part.

[@PapiDoesIt]

The CRT reminds me of my old Trinitron, just a different size. Back in the day that was a pretty handy TV to have around.

[@oliverw.douglas285]

I think the smaller TV's of this design & timeframe were built on the cheap, & consequently were subject to similar problems. I've got a number of Sony TV's of the Watchman & Mega Watchman Series, which were black & white, but built about 10-years earlier, & they haven't yet displayed those issues (holding my breath, as parts are no longer available as well). Interesting video. I can identify with the frustrations surrounding this repair.

[@ultrametric9317]

Just arrange the antenna so that it doesn't have a kink.

[@IDPhotoMan]

Umm... yeah that antenna will clip in there just fine. rotate the bottom joint 90 degrees left, then rotate it down.

[@pocztaconfig]

After use CC: Clean contact cleaner with IPA or ethanol. Cute, nice little screen😊

[@nysaea]

yay, new episode of "haunted electronics with black magic archmage Adrian"!

[@LepkoQQ]

You clicked every other button in firefox pdf reader except the ">>" double arrow on the right end that is the overflow menu, and that has the page rotation buttons in that menu, but yeah, that functionality should be more prominently displayed

[@Vermilicious]

Hurray! Another CRT saved!

[@domramsey]

On the plus side, I'm fairly certain that aerial clip works just fine, you just need to rotate it and straighten the elbow

[@kiwatech]

hey Adrian, you can rotate PDFs on firefox using the "R" key or clicking the >> arrow and selecting "rotate", why the icons are not more accessible, idk pretty annoying.

[@poikochan87]

31:20 there is only one logical explanation - you're a wizard ;)

[@ultrametric9317]

Probably the device relied on the shadows underneath a cabinet to enhance visibility. Under-cebinet lights were not common before modern times. The cabinet would cast a shadow over the tube and get rid of a source of reflections. The dimmer light would make the raster harder to see.

[@atkelar]

I think the reason for color being deeper is that the deflection has to influence three beams instead of one and making them turn a sharper angle might cause them to land too far apart?

[@krnlg]

48:10 coherer effect? But with high voltages I'm not sure how!

[@deathray0718]

it's possible that the ceramic pcb inside the flyback transformer has a cracked solder joint and applying pressure did a temporary fix since it is hollow under that plastic cover for the flyback potentiometers.

[@stephanemignot100]

Rotate the base of the antenna sacrebleu! :)

[@Dr.-Smart]

all u had was basicly a lil dirt in the hv potentiometer for the screen drive, when u touched it u broke the oxidisation and made it work fine

[@simonlathwell]

I've noticed sometimes if something has not been used for a long time the caps struggle. Often just leaving it connected allows for the caps to come back to life and for it to start working. I've had that happen on computers I've had stored for a few years then got back out and don't work straight away, but then come back to life after 30ish minutes. Maybe the caps become a bit dry or something, or maybe they just reform with an electric input.

[@simonlathwell]

Never mind, maybe a damaged board inside the controller box, or maybe the actual adjuster is damaged and somehow not making a proper connection.

[@nathanmurphy8907]

You can get an adapter that plugs onto an svideo cable then plug an RCA cable from tv to adapter and will work if you want!!! I had an RCA tv just like that GE and it had a clip on battery compartment then it had a cable coming out the back and plugged into the barrel connector!!! The antenna on it didn't have the extra swivel to it it clipped into the spot that yours has!!!

[@KennethScharf]

Looks like a repackaged version of a similar TV that was sold by Rat Shack.

[@Dark_eVader]

Here I am screaming to rotate the antenna by the base so that it would fit the lock. It's so obvious. Firefox also has "rotate" for the pdf and again it was so obvious. Sigh.

[@Drew-Dastardly]

The one thing I always hated about the SX-64 was the terrible low rez CRT. All they needed was a finer shadow mask, if not a Sony Trinitron CRT. Let's not forget the SX-64 was aimed at business. ETA: A working disk drive that was faster than tape LOL.

[@kotamotac]

It was already mentioned but i write it again anyway: You can rotate the PDF in Firefox, its hidden under the " >> " button on the top right section. (Of course it would be great if it was already present on the toolbar and not hidden.)

[@ultrametric9317]

From the appearance of the feet, it seems to me there may have been a way to turn the picture over and mount it upside down on the undershelf of the cabinets. Like, the bottom would click into a mounting bracket like a bayonet mount. Wasn't something like this available? Calling Fran, Earth to Fran.. Come in, Fran..

[@knifedude97]

My bet why it started working is the old caps reformed while is was on.

[@knifedude97]

I really enjoy your videos but please consider upgrading your lighting to flicker free. The rolling bars when the camera is on your bench is very distracting especially during jump cuts for me at least.

[@nrdesign1991]

gotta make a poke-button to poke the pot

[@tonycosta3302]

Can you use compressed air to make the glue very cold and brittle?

[@beatadalhagen]

Yeah, my Commodore monitor and my little TV used the same ICs.

[@danielmantione]

Is it possible to put a tiewrap around the flyback transformer and then put a piece of rubber between the pot and the tiewrap to exercise some pressure on the pot? That would have a higher chance to last the ages than the hot glue.

[@ValuedTeamMember]

Very COoL. I'll watch for this to be listed on eBay™ *fully tested *perfect condition *one owner *renewed by in-house tech OUR MOTTO: If you can't afford to have it done right, see us first! (we kid because we love:)

[@gregorgliha]

To rotate PDF in Firefox, click double "greater than" icon below "Other Bookmarks" on the right and choose on menu "Rotate Clockwise",...

[@jayfowler4747]

But some sponge in the case to press on the trimmer same as what you were doing... hot glues great till it warms up and it stops working...

[@boydlewis8747]

"Grinds my gears"!

[@andlabs]

What's the USB power bank?

[@jlawrence71]

Yes Adrian please tell us. I have been wanting one since seeing it in another video. Please Please.

[@amirpourghoureiyan1637]

It's a Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus, model info's displayed at 51:22 - it does smart watch charging as well.

[@chepossofare]

I'm curious if this could be at least s-video moddable :D

[@elbiggus]

If the CRT Database is accurate, then yes.

[@connorm955]

This might have the same Samsung model picture tube as the one in VWestlife's color Watchman.

[@Stjaernljus]

if you want access SAMS service manuals many public libraries in the US have access to them for loan digitally.

[@Wayde-VA3NCA]

"cute, but broken", come on Adrian, its trying its best.

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

The font used on the crt information kind of looks Sony?

[@dschultz9466]

It's kinda scummy to charge (and at an absurdly expensive price) for service manuals, so many things end up as e-waste because the manuals are either paywalled or just not available. The ever-present pursuit of money leaves me dismayed so many times.

[@eeep73]

I have the same model with diferent brand, Supertech CTV-294

[@sirclarkmarz]

Even if you got it fixed it still wouldn't work without a digital converter which is just about as big as the TV itself

[@galeng73]

I know what it does, but why is it called a "jungle" chip?

[@8bitparty-pl]

👍🏻

[@MrTasic]

There is nothing you would not fix with WD40 and scotch tape (or in this case - contact cleaner and hot glue)

[@chemania1]

Looks terrible? It's a Thompson!

[@Poki3]

As a long time Firefox user, yeah, the PDF reader is garbage. I read PDFs in Edge.

[@alexmac513]

There is a KZbinr that can repair the most insanely broken Tv’s. I watch as you think it’s impossible, left outdoors for 30 years with no back, no problem!! Does those cataract replacements etc. would take 5 min to fix that set. Might be the caps reformed?

[@lancegentle6430]

ANY browser based PDF reader is crap unless you own the full Acrobat and have the extension installed.

[@danielgerry6374]

I had a couple radios with antennas like that from GE as a child. Simply stick the antenna straight up and push the antenna straight down into the tv. The first joint will actually slide down into the Tv

[@anonymous-rj6ok]

Instaliked

[@Verault]

I long for the days whens Adrians' "short videos" were much less than an hour long. Who has time to watch all these 1+ hour long videos.. EDIT THEM to watchable lengths please!

[@Dark_eVader]

Not possible. Adrian talks too much