Retro Tech & Electronics | 1969 VW Motorola Sapphire IX AM Radio Restoration 9SMV - Part 1 @retrotechandelectronics | Uploaded April 2020 | Updated October 2024, 9 hours ago.
Today we will be starting the restoration of a 1969 Motorola Sapphire IX Am radio that I picked up from Jason from the Bug ranch. This is a 12 volt model for Types 1,2 and 3. A basic model which also has memory buttons. This is in terrible condition, though complete and appears to be unmolested. So well take a crack at it and see what we can do.
Upon removing the top cover we see that the inside is about as dirty as the outside. The front knobs are then removed along with the nuts so that the face-plate can be removed from the unit. Someone used mastic to hold it together, this will have to be addressed later. Disassembly of the front face plate continues with the two round spring clips to remove the plastic tuner indicator panel, this is followed by the backing plate.
I sprayed everything mechanical with out, just so I wouldn't break anything, Ill deal with proper lubrication later, I don't want to break anything. Somehow, the clutch and friction plate of the tuning system survived. Slowly things are able to move and turn, this includes the pots, those however were hit with Deoxit. GP electronics cleaner was used to clean out the remainder of the unit. The bulb was surprisingly in good condition.
I tested a quick cosmetic event on one push button, and it turned out to be pretty nice. As documentation was well written by Motorola, I decided to quickly go through every coil and measure the specified resistance. Everything passed for all coils. Going through the power switch and volume knob showed that basic function worked as well.
At this point the circuit board is removed from the rear of the radio to gain access to the filter cap with an ESR meter. The results are garbage. Also with the board removed, access allows for the last of the coils to be tested, those were good. All that is really needed is the replacement of the filter cap.
The filter cap is de-soldered from the unit, also de-soldering the main board ground, providing for more room to work. Some quick resting of the cap out of the unit shows that significant damage would occur or immediate fuse blows would occur if power was applied to this radio.
With everything disassembled, everything is cleaned up with a brush, inside and out, lithium grease is applied to all friction surfaces. Also the rest of the push buttons are polished. Finally the tuning display is also detailed.
Once the new capacitors arrived, the traces are first repairs on both sides of the board, the caps are installed, axial, with the ground wrapping around. There are 3 caps replacing the one multi-cap. In the next video well continue with power on testing and troubleshooting.
#aircooled #retrotech #vw
Today we will be starting the restoration of a 1969 Motorola Sapphire IX Am radio that I picked up from Jason from the Bug ranch. This is a 12 volt model for Types 1,2 and 3. A basic model which also has memory buttons. This is in terrible condition, though complete and appears to be unmolested. So well take a crack at it and see what we can do.
Upon removing the top cover we see that the inside is about as dirty as the outside. The front knobs are then removed along with the nuts so that the face-plate can be removed from the unit. Someone used mastic to hold it together, this will have to be addressed later. Disassembly of the front face plate continues with the two round spring clips to remove the plastic tuner indicator panel, this is followed by the backing plate.
I sprayed everything mechanical with out, just so I wouldn't break anything, Ill deal with proper lubrication later, I don't want to break anything. Somehow, the clutch and friction plate of the tuning system survived. Slowly things are able to move and turn, this includes the pots, those however were hit with Deoxit. GP electronics cleaner was used to clean out the remainder of the unit. The bulb was surprisingly in good condition.
I tested a quick cosmetic event on one push button, and it turned out to be pretty nice. As documentation was well written by Motorola, I decided to quickly go through every coil and measure the specified resistance. Everything passed for all coils. Going through the power switch and volume knob showed that basic function worked as well.
At this point the circuit board is removed from the rear of the radio to gain access to the filter cap with an ESR meter. The results are garbage. Also with the board removed, access allows for the last of the coils to be tested, those were good. All that is really needed is the replacement of the filter cap.
The filter cap is de-soldered from the unit, also de-soldering the main board ground, providing for more room to work. Some quick resting of the cap out of the unit shows that significant damage would occur or immediate fuse blows would occur if power was applied to this radio.
With everything disassembled, everything is cleaned up with a brush, inside and out, lithium grease is applied to all friction surfaces. Also the rest of the push buttons are polished. Finally the tuning display is also detailed.
Once the new capacitors arrived, the traces are first repairs on both sides of the board, the caps are installed, axial, with the ground wrapping around. There are 3 caps replacing the one multi-cap. In the next video well continue with power on testing and troubleshooting.
#aircooled #retrotech #vw
