Where to Start on restoring my Magnavox D-8443?

[soulturtle45]

Hey,
I just bought a Magnavox D-8443 off Ebay with hopes of Getting the tapedeck working but in the meantime using the aux in? I didn't realize when I bought it that it had to have the rec held down at all times. The eject also doesn't work so I pryed it open and put a tape in just to get the Aux to work , and it did, but bad sound quality and not very loud. I'm thinking it's cause the RCA in's are a bit dirty but not sure(They seem slightly corroded?). Any Ideas? The bands are both busted(For tape and counter?) and it needs a pretty good cleaning ,but is in decent shape.

I'll admit , I definitely bought this on looks but really want it fully restored. I recently also ordered this ( http://bit.ly/9Yx5d3 ) nice little MP3 cassette player I was hoping to use to avoid the cord and ipod in tow. I've always wanted a big 'ol boombox but live in a small town where finding one is unlikely so turned to ebay to make it happen.

Thankx, Any Help is Greatly appreciated, Scott

 

[ViennaSound]

Hi Scott

Sometimes the switch on the rec button makes troubles.
Have you cleaned (all) contacts and switches with contactcleaner?
If the box is dirty around, it´s a sign for also dirt inside.

 

[Old school Scott]

I have the exact same problem with mine.
Line in, record down, minimal sound.
Tape not working
I can't sell it, who would buy it?
It looks awesome on my shelf tho.
I must find a way to mod it for the Pod
I await response to your thread for any ideas.

Cheers OSS

 

[pulpbeats]

I know this is an unfavorable option but I've had good results with cassette tape adapters. They are also a good way to see if all you need is new belts. The motor doesn't have to spin the tape for the head to work.

 

[Old school Scott]

I know this is an unfavorable option but I've had good results with cassette tape adapters. They are also a good way to see if all you need is new belts. The motor doesn't have to spin the tape for the head to work.

The radio on this box sounds pretty good.
using cassette tape adapter on this box sounds like butt
yeh that was the first thing I tried, I have about 8 of them.

Cheers OSS .

 

[ViennaSound]

I know this is an unfavorable option but I've had good results with cassette tape adapters. They are also a good way to see if all you need is new belts. The motor doesn't have to spin the tape for the head to work.

The radio on this box sounds pretty good.
using cassette tape adapter on this box sounds like butt
yeh that was the first thing I tried, I have about 8 of them.

Cheers OSS .

:'-( with adapter is

Also have the problem, after a time the stereo drifts away....
But i had no time to look inside.

Maybe Superduper have an idea?

 

[soulturtle45]

I Have taken the Ghetto Apart and it is quite dirty. Is Contact cleaner safe to just spray everything down? I need to get to the eject button also to work on but other boards and wires make it hard to access without unsoldering something. The Tape adapter doesn't work too well .sound goes in and out . Not sure what that might be? What could I clean the Rca's with if I was to use something?Also one of the knobs is loose at the base(see pic). Should I just crazy glue it? Thanks, Guys

On a side note I found something I plan to use once I solve this Blaster. Pretty cool, Check it out! http://cgi.ebay.com/Tape-MP3-Player-Car ... 414e7b688a

 

[saxonman]

that doesn't look good!!! glueing is proberly a bad idea needs a new switch really,I don't know much about these things but good luck with the project!!

 

[blu_fuz]

Yeah - that's not good being broken like that.

The MP3 player is cool for the price but for the amount of files it holds it really needs some way to sort through them all.

Good luck with your project.

 

[baddboybill]

I Have taken the Ghetto Apart and it is quite dirty. Is Contact cleaner safe to just spray everything down? I need to get to the eject button also to work on but other boards and wires make it hard to access without unsoldering something. The Tape adapter doesn't work too well .sound goes in and out . Not sure what that might be? What could I clean the Rca's with if I was to use something?Also one of the knobs is loose at the base(see pic). Should I just crazy glue it? Thanks, Guys

On a side note I found something I plan to use once I solve this Blaster. Pretty cool, Check it out! http://cgi.ebay.com/Tape-MP3-Player-Car ... 414e7b688a

[ Image ]

This is a complex 1st bbx to work on because each individual board must be desoldered in order to get to the deck. Because these are so popular and come up on ebay left and right I would try and get a beater box for parts (usually $20 - $30 plus shipping) This way you have extra parts to replace your broken parts. Also when and if you decided to take it apart take lots and lots of pics so you know how to put it back together. A little f y i the line in on this bbx s--ks . But on the upside its a nice looking box when cleaned up

 

[blu_fuz]

I have a parts box I can let go for $30+ shipping. Where are you located? I have a UPS shippers account so shipping will be pretty cheap.


The gray maggie is probably a part out box unless you are melly .
Pros/Cons:
-missing antenna
-no battery cover
-someone has been in this bbx
-dark paint overspray all over it
-tuner glass is very unclear
-radio works awesome
-cassette does nothing and I think the rollers are getting gooey
-all speakers work
-no cord
-all knobs and switches present

I got this bbx in exchange for some powder coating work hoping that it would have something I needed to fix the silver box. The only thing that came from this was the battery door. It has been sitting since.

 

[muto]

I removed the tape motor wire on my d8443. If you want you can make a little switch to turn the motor back on when needed.

Check all contacts and potentiometers if line in volume is low. Normally it should work fine.

My D8443:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn51HkEKafg

 

[baddboybill]

I removed the tape motor wire on my d8443. If you want you can make a little switch to turn the motor back on when needed.



My D8443:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn51HkEKafg

Very ingenious

 

[soulturtle45]

So here's the latest... I glued the broken knob down(still works fine), fixed the eject, can hear the motor running (and waiting for the belt for cassette to arrive) but when I play a tape adapter, which should work even if the tape doesn't spin, still no sound. Line in , no sound either. Line out, I get very low , poor quality sound. Earlier I did get sound through the line in but it was also poor quality, cutting in and out if I adjusted the volume? I also am questioning the power cord I got with the unit, could a wrong power cord cause weird complications? I will post a picture of my cord and hopefully someone can tell me theirs looks the same. I did however try the unit with batteries, and didn't get any better results but did notice when I tried the tape the power light seemed to be brighter than when I used the power cord ( but, only just slightly).

On a different note ,I should have a extra belt for the cassette Coming for the D8443 if anyone wants to trade for a belt for the counter(which I can't seem to find). Or if someone just wants to buy I'll sell it for a few bucks once my box is fully functioning. What do you guys think of the counter? Is it noisy?, Is it essential? I'd just like my box to be fully restored if possible.

I've discovered it's not essential to unsolder boards to get to the ones underneath, as long as they are all unscrewed it is possible to just move them out of the way.

MUTO: Consider me a dummy, what contacts, where are they located and what's a potentiometer?Nice bluetooth conversion, I wish I knew how to do that?

Thanks for all the help guys, it's nice to have people trying to help how they can

 

[baddboybill]

That cord should work fine But i would be very careful when moving the boards because if you get a few wires to tear off the solder joint then you will not know where they go As for the belt for the counter you should be able to measure the bad one that is on it and deduct 5-10% for stretch. Not 100% but this might be the size... scy5.2 Good luck