Magnavox D8443 Rebuild

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wcover91

Member (SA)
Hello everyone,

I just scored my first boombox today that I'm looking at restoring. Its a Magnavox D8443 Power Play.

http://classicboombox.com/the-magnavox-d8443

Here she is!

09-14-11_0022.jpg



I immediately tested her out and opened her up and did quick run through. Here's my list:

1)Overall scratchy sounding speakers, worse as volume increases.
2)When running the line in the volume is dramatically lower than the radio volume?
3)Tuner string not connected
4)Random spring floating around




Starting with number 1, I have a feeling some contact cleaner on the potentiometers will clear most of this up. I need to run to Radioshack ASAP.
As for number 2, does anyone have any ideas why this is? Would cleaning the RCA inputs help? Im stumped...
Number 3, does anyone have a manual or picture or schematic or anything that would tell me how to rerun this string correcctly. I have attatched pictures for reference if anyone has any ideas.

Circles represent pulleys. The rectangle is the view slider. The blue circle metal pulley connects through to the tuner knob. The pulley with two circles in it has two layers, with the bottom bigger that the top one. Also the pulley with the two circles and the furthest top right pulley has little notches in them like its supposed to pinch/hold the string like a spool of thread does? Isnt this a puzzle....

Overview:

09-13-11_2339_2.jpg



Closeup Right section:

09-13-11_2337_2.jpg



Closeup Left Section:

09-13-11_2338_2.jpg





I have a feeling it goes something like this but i'm not sure how the string interfaces at the star areas. Any help would be great.

09-13-11_2339-copy.jpg



Also here is a closeup of the main plastic wheel that interfaces into the pot on the circuit board that changes the station. The yellow circles are string holders. The rectangle is the little gateway the string can run out of the center of the pulley.

Closeup Main Wheel:

09-13-11_2340_2.jpg










And last number 4, i found a spring floating where the dials would normally be. What is it? The loop in it seems the be the same diameter as the top of the peg of the pulley to the left of the slider on the pictures above? Or is that just coincidence?

09-13-11_2341.jpg






Any help with any of this would be greatly appreciated. Any pictures of the insides of one of these would help if anyone has them or could take one. And if anyone has a manual or schematic that would be terrific. Thanks!
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
Congrats, the D8443 is a great looking box :-D As for pots and switches some deoxit cleane should bring those back to life. The spring looks to be like from a deck door to spring it open :hmmm: The line in sucks on these units and were made for recording tapes off of turntable or 8 track. As for tuner string I may be able to help in a few days as I am going to be replacing my belt on deck. Unless someone else chimes in ;-) good luck :thumbsup:
 

wcover91

Member (SA)
Hmm. The tape deck seems to open normally without that spring though?

Yeah, if you could take any pictures on that string routing it would be much appreciated! :thumbsup:
 

wcover91

Member (SA)
Also would anyone happen to know anything about these wire connectors? It looks as if the wires are just stuck into the holes on the tops of them but I dont know how to remove them?

img_0001.jpg
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
wcover91 said:
Also would anyone happen to know anything about these wire connectors? It looks as if the wires are just stuck into the holes on the tops of them but I dont know how to remove them?

[ Image ]
You have to pull out each wire using needle nose pliers carefully.... But take lots of pics and write down colored wires and locations so when you reinstall in right spots. To install just push wire back in, there is a metal catch that holds them in firmly :thumbsup:
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
wcover91 said:
Hmm. The tape deck seems to open normally without that spring though?

Yeah, if you could take any pictures on that string routing it would be much appreciated! :thumbsup:
Where was spring at :huh: plus do all deck functions work properly especially hitting stop key when play, FF , Rew and record are in mode :hmmm:
 

RockE

Member (SA)
I've sent you a pic of how to redo the string, that spring is part of that as it sits on the large tuner string pulley and is the thing that gives tension to the string.

Pic below for others that may need it.


d8443string.jpg
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
RockE said:
I've sent you a pic of how to redo the string, that spring is part of that as it sits on the large tuner string pulley and is the thing that gives tension to the string.

Pic below for others that may need it.


[ Image ]
Great info :w00t: great job on the spring location. It's been 3 years since I have had mine apart and couldn't remember anything about tuner since mine was fine. I do know the decks are well known for having a gear that becomes brittle and breaks :thumbsdown:
 

wcover91

Member (SA)
Wow. You sir are a god. Just put it back on. Now to clean and rebuild the thing and set the indicator to match up with the right station...

09-14-11_1718.jpg


I also just noticed the little rubber band that runs from the tape counter to the cassette rotater is broken. Could i just used a thin rubber band in its place?

09-14-11_1721.jpg


09-14-11_1722.jpg
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
wcover91 said:
Wow. You sir are a god. Just put it back on. Now to clean and rebuild the thing and set the indicator to match up with the right station...

[ Image ]

I also just noticed the little rubber band that runs from the tape counter to the cassette rotater is broken. Could i just used a thin rubber band in its place?

[ Image ]

[ Image ]
For the tape counter you can but any other belts you should use the ones made specifically for decks and disk drives. I would change main deck belt while you have bbx apart though ;-)
 

RockE

Member (SA)
As the pic states "Tuner Gang Fully Counter Clockwise" then with the string set to the pic the whole assembly should just slip back into place lined up.

Tape counter belts in general need to be loose, I've had belts that were too tight and it affects the play back, never tried a rubber band so can't say if it will work, your probably best to use a rubber band as a template if you don't have the original and go to a electrical goods service shop or the like to get a replacement, most places that repair VCR's etc will have belts.
 

DMS

Member (SA)
Sup everyone,

I just bought a Magnavox D 8443 at a thrift for 5 bucks! Its my first boombox rebuild.

My real question is I don't know where to start going over it. Can anyone help me out with a list of thing to check/fix to make it sound better.

This is the run down on may baby now,

Overall the outside is in great condition, little to no scratches, some pitting on the chrome,
The antenna is missing
I cant hear a lot of out sound coming out of the middle woofer
The left speaker makes a crackling noise

Any helping will be awesome, but help regarding the sound would be even better.
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
DMS said:
Sup everyone,

I just bought a Magnavox D 8443 at a thrift for 5 bucks! Its my first boombox rebuild.

My real question is I don't know where to start going over it. Can anyone help me out with a list of thing to check/fix to make it sound better.

This is the run down on may baby now,

Overall the outside is in great condition, little to no scratches, some pitting on the chrome,
The antenna is missing
I cant hear a lot of out sound coming out of the middle woofer
The left speaker makes a crackling noise

Any helping will be awesome, but help regarding the sound would be even better.
The center speaker is low sound as it's suppose to be a type of sub woofer and not very good at that. What you might need to do is get some deoxit spray pot and switch cleaner and take box apart... But take lots of pics and notes on woring :-D when you get to where all pots and switches are you will need to spray small amount in any hole and work them back and forth a little to help clean and dust, dirt from inside ..... Good luck :thumbsup:
 

wcover91

Member (SA)
Yeah. He is right. I just sprayed all the pots on mine with contact leaner and all the fuzzy crackle is gone!

However, i believe my volume pot may need to be replaced since it sounds like the left side and right side of the boombox changes intensity as i push on the volume knob. Also, from 1-20 for volume, i get a big spike around 7....
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
wcover91 said:
Yeah. He is right. I just sprayed all the pots on mine with contact leaner and all the fuzzy crackle is gone!

However, i believe my volume pot may need to be replaced since it sounds like the left side and right side of the boombox changes intensity as i push on the volume knob. Also, from 1-20 for volume, i get a big spike around 7....
Could be damaged internally or brushes broken :-O :hmmm:
 

soulturtle45

Member (SA)
:breakdance: I got one of these about a year ago replaced all belts, fixed a few things but the tapedeck still didn't play. After reading this thread I went and tried it again and it all of a sudden slowly started up played fine. When I stopped then started it again, it turned slower until it stopped. Anyone know what this is?
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
soulturtle45 said:
:breakdance: I got one of these about a year ago replaced all belts, fixed a few things but the tapedeck still didn't play. After reading this thread I went and tried it again and it all of a sudden slowly started up played fine. When I stopped then started it again, it turned slower until it stopped. Anyone know what this is?
Maybe to tight of belt or bad motor :hmmm:
 

joe617

Member (SA)
Hi,
I got one of these today for $5. Needs cleaning with contact cleaner and only one of the tape reels spin. The tape will play but will unwind as it plays. I'm trying to open it up to try and clean it up. I've removed all the visible screws (6 long ones and one short antenna screw, including 2 in the battery compartment), but I can't seem to crack it open. I'm afraid I'm missing some screws and will break it. Can someone who's opened one go through the process of getting the back open? Are there hidden screws? I thought there might be some hidden ones under plastic covers , but just ended up damaging the plastic trying to pry them off. Any suggestions appreciated.
 

baddboybill

Boomus Fidelis
joe617 said:
Hi,
I got one of these today for $5. Needs cleaning with contact cleaner and only one of the tape reels spin. The tape will play but will unwind as it plays. I'm trying to open it up to try and clean it up. I've removed all the visible screws (6 long ones and one short antenna screw, including 2 in the battery compartment), but I can't seem to crack it open. I'm afraid I'm missing some screws and will break it. Can someone who's opened one go through the process of getting the back open? Are there hidden screws? I thought there might be some hidden ones under plastic covers , but just ended up damaging the plastic trying to pry them off. Any suggestions appreciated.
Check in battery compartment and at top where Handle sets down. Usually with this size box there is 8-9 screws holding down. Haven't been in mine in 3 years :hmmm: good luck
 
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