Sharp GF-555, heavy Mod

[Stuntman Mike]

I thought about many titles for this Topic.

- GF-555-Hack
- 21st Century GF-555
- GF-555 USB
- Mad Max´ Road Warrior Blaster (Fits right because of the rough Shape )

But let´s talk about the Blaster itself. This is my first Mod.
Ok, I had already 3 GF-555s. All of them are not in the best Condition (finally the last one works ok). I could build a fully working one and maybe save another one. Then I still would have a total Wreck. But their Sound is anyway not the Best. I wanted to try something. So I took the worst of the Bunch, and make something useable out of it.
I had an USB/SD Car Radio laying around (Ebay bargain), that I wanted to put in my Car. But I didn´t.
This Radio is shorter than a normal Radio with CD or Tapedeck, and I thought, it could fit in a Blaster. I think a GF-555 would be a good choice, because they´re build like a Tank.

First I removed the Tuner Window from the Front. That wasn´t easy without damaging the Window. I tried a Hardryer, but that didn´t work. I had to take a Cutter Knive and cut through the Glue. I had also to remove the Top Trim, again with the Cutter Knive. I had the luck, that the Top Trim was anyway broken away in one Edge . So I began there.

Then I wanted to use the Voltage Transformer from the Sharp. I had to take a Multimeter to find the correct Voltage for the Car Radio, because the Transformer is soldered to a Printed Board.

At the Moment I use the original Speakers, but maybe I try some others too.

I wired everything together to hear my effort. It was good enough to finish this Project.

Here some Pics of the beginnings:

This is not the Boombox

But this

The location for the Car Radio

 

[Superduper]

I can't picture how you are going to fit a 7" radio into a 4" cabinet.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Then I made a Plate, where the Radio goes in. I wanted to use Aluminium. But I didn´t find anything in my Household. So I used a 2mm Steel Plate, which I bought to weld my ´87 BMW 5er. There was more then enough leftover (Till now the Project is still a "No Budget Project", maybe except some Fuses, I´ve blown, for 1€ ).

I had only to cut a small piece of the middle Section of the Case.
Now I need to make a Spacer, ´cause the Radio sticks out a bit, wire up the Antennas, painting the Steel Plate (or I leave it so rusty and create the first Rat Look Boomer ), maybe fix some cracks and glue some Screw Posts back.
If someone can tell me how to, I maybe would wire the Tapedecks to the Radio.

btw: I´m listening this Frankenboomer, while im writing this.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I can't picture how you are going to fit a 7" radio into a 4" cabinet.

It´s actually shorter, than a normal Radio with CD- or Tapedeck.

This is all, what sticks out:

 

[woodnbox]

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Very interesting!

 

[goodman]

Stuntman Mike, this is interesting project! I waitnig for next steps...

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Today testet: It could run on Batteries too.

 

[Fatdog]

I would say go for the Rat Rod look. The only bad thing is the radio looks too new. Can you make the radio look old and rusty?

 

[Stuntman Mike]

In the Case is everywhere ´79 printed in. Not really new. But I know what you mean.

But you don´t need to go that far back for a cool Ride.

I like this for example, even more then a "normal" Rat Rod:

Or this:

Because, i have one of them :

I really enjoy this car, when I don´t have to weld or fix something. But it´s mine for five years already.

Little more Ontopic (btw: I don´t like this this "Rusty Hood"-Thing):

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

Heyya,

Awesome mod. How do you feed the radio, USB, Line-In to the speakers? Gotta have more info if possible.

 

[baddboybill]

In the Case is everywhere ´79 printed in. Not really new. But I know what you mean.

But you don´t need to go that far back for a cool Ride.

I like this for example, even more then a "normal" Rat Rod:
https://boomboxery.com/forum/uploads/stuntmanmike-1538/peeps_plymgtx-9.jpg

Or this:
http://cdn.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/6543.jpg

Because, i have one of them :
https://boomboxery.com/forum/uploads/stuntmanmike-1538/meine28029.jpg
https://boomboxery.com/forum/uploads/stuntmanmike-1538/meine28028.jpg
https://boomboxery.com/forum/uploads/stuntmanmike-1538/meine28035.jpg
I really enjoy this car, when I don´t have to weld or fix something. But it´s mine for five years already.

Little more Ontopic (btw: I don´t like this this "Rusty Hood"-Thing):
http://www.loxlee-loves-engines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mike-burroughs-bmw-e28-rusty-hood.jpg

Love the GTX !!!!

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Heyya,

Awesome mod. How do you feed the radio, USB, Line-In to the speakers? Gotta have more info if possible.

It´s very easy (I´m not good in Electronics in any possible way ).
I took the Car Radio and connected the Voltage Transformer and the Speakers from the 555 to it. I looked for the correct Voltage with a Multimeter on the Board. Then i threw everything out of the Sharp, that was in the way to fit the Car Radio in, but left everything else, that was not in the way, in it. So that thing still weighs a ton . The Tapedecks and the switches aren´t connected. But otherwise, it´s like a normal Boombox whitch you can feed with USBs and SDs. Oh, and there must be a remote somewhere, too (have to seek it )

That´s it.

The hardest part is, to find a Boombox, where you can put in a Car Radio, but is not to expensive or a grail. The best is anyway a non working beater/Parts Box.

Hardmen did something very similar. And he had just the shell.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Lost my cam. :'-(
So I pulled out my "vintage" Cam.

I have no progress pics, but this is, how it looks now:

I glued some Screw Posts, I finished the Steel Plate, sprayed with some paint, that was there and connected the Antenna.

It works. It works with the remote too. Sound is ok (could be better, but could be worser too ).
But I have a new Problem. If I turn the Volume too high, the Fuse of the Transformer (of the Sharp) blows. This wasn´t from the beginning, but now it is.

Any Ideas?

 

[goodman]

... But I have a new Problem. If I turn the Volume too high, the Fuse of the Transformer (of the Sharp) blows. This wasn´t from the beginning, but now it is. Any Ideas?

Car radios use 12 volts, but their amps are great consumption of current - more than 2 A.
Boombox transformer is 1 A max, so you have this problem.
You must replace boombox transformer with more powerful.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

And if i´d only replace the Fuse with a bigger one. There was a 1,25A in. I tested allready a 2A. Both were blown by too much Volume. With Loudness on it blows even faster.
What could happen with a bigger Fuse?

 

[goodman]

What could happen with a bigger Fuse?

Maybe transformer can burn... I don't advise you, to do such experiments ...

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Is´nt the Fuse there to save everything after the Transformer? And the Car Radio has an 8A Fuse.

 

[goodman]

JVC Floyd, have modificated SHARP GF 777 with car audio. Ask him for more info about power transformer.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Thanks. I saw his mods, already. Maybe should ask him.