Anatomy of a JVC Sign

[=ml=]

After seeing Reli's JVC Metal Deck sign, I've been on the hunt for one. I recently purchased one and wouldn't you know it, it arrives non-working. Sure the light turns on, but the colors don't change; where's the fun in that. :'-(

So treating it like a boombox, I open it up and discover what's amiss: the gear on the color-tube is misaligned with the motor gear and causing an awful ticking as it tries to drive the color-tube around the fluorescent tube. After 20 minutes of gently coercing the color-tube away from the motor gear - all the while thinking the fluorescent tube was going to break, and where am I going to get another one if it does - suddenly pop, they magically aligned!

Well sorta. The color-tube gear and the motor gear were now aligned but not touching. Not having a proper screwdriver available to reposition the motor on its mount, I did the next best thing: wrapped the motor gear in layers of tape until it firmly contacted the color-tube gear. McGyver repair skills at their finest! Imma go back and do it the correct way later, but for now the sign is rockin' and rollin' its red, blue, green, and yellow lights.

Anyway, here's what one of these magical signs looks like on the inside.











The eagle-eyed will notice that this sign was likely made in 1979.

Go!

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[JustCruisin]

That's cool!

 

[Northerner]

Very very cool...congrats on an awesome sign and interesting to see how they work...cheers

Cooler than my Aiwa sign on that link but I still love mine too

 

[blu_fuz]

Well, the transformer might have been made in '79 LOL


That is a great sign .

 

[redbenjoe]

nice fix // cool sign

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

ROCKIN' DUDE!

I saw Reli's a few years ago at the meet up north. These are really cool and bigger than you would think. A great addition to the Boom Room!

Your's looks to be in really good condition too.

Can't be a true Boombox repairman with out some McGyver'ing skills!

 

[=ml=]

Thanks guys!

Chris, you're right, it is much larger than it appears. I haven't measured it, but it seems to be about 15" x 7" x 5".

I'm on the hunt for a replacement bulb so that I can enjoy it daily.

A thought: since the glass is removable and reeded glass is still available (it's what makes the transitions blend even though the colors on the color-tube aren't blended), I could make a customized version...

Go!

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[Reli]

Congrats for finding another one of these! Wonder how many simply got thrown away by store owners.
Mine works, but makes a slight squeaking noise, so might need some grease. Can't see the tape you were talking about though.

 

[fresh produce]

I would love to find a vintage signs like that one day, it be great to add to the collection especially if it's a Sony sign

 

[char]

and here new sign + old

of JVC

 

[Beosystem10]

JVC Kenwood? Cool, my smoothie blender is a JVC product!

 

[char]

AND same hedqorters building yearli

 

[oldskool69]

Super Nice Sign! And if you ever get in a jam with the fluorescent parts, you could always convert it to LED.

 

[=ml=]

Super Nice Sign! And if you ever get in a jam with the fluorescent parts, you could always convert it to LED.

Thanks and great idea! LEDs are readily available and eco-friendly too!

Go!

=ml=

 

[=ml=]

Congrats for finding another one of these! Wonder how many simply got thrown away by store owners.
Mine works, but makes a slight squeaking noise, so might need some grease. Can't see the tape you were talking about though.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm afraid you're right; most we're just thrown away. I bought this one from a Canadian store that was going out of business; glad they didn't just toss it.

The tape is in the third image; the gear should have teeth but instead it just has layers of transparent tape.

Go!

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