Vintage Car Radio

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Boomlander
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Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Hi all,
Just bought a new old stock radio to replace the modern CD player in Willum.
The unit has three wires running from the rear of the unit.
The red one with inline fuse is obviously the live feed, there is also a black wire and a brown wire.
Would I be correct in assuming that the black would be the earth lead and the brown would be the live connection to the single speaker?
The speaker itself has two spade terminals one with a red mark on it which I assume is the positive and the other I guess would be wired to earth?
Any help greatly appreciated as always. :D

Shropshiremoggie
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Shropshiremoggie »

Have you tried searching Google for the radio. Loads of info there and maybe ( just maybe ) the info you need .
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geoberni
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by geoberni »

Boomlander wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 10:59 pm
The unit has three wires running from the rear of the unit.
The red one with inline fuse is obviously the live feed, there is also a black wire and a brown wire.
Would I be correct in assuming that the black would be the earth lead and the brown would be the live connection to the single speaker?
The speaker itself has two spade terminals one with a red mark on it which I assume is the positive and the other I guess would be wired to earth?
Possibly...but very unlikely.
it's almost certain (and I only caveat that because it's such a long time ago) that the the Black/Brown are the 2 wires for the speaker and the Earth Return path for the radio power is simply via a good body strap connection, or there may be a earth lug/terminal on the exterior of the case.

I don't believe speakers have ever used the bodywork as the return path for the speaker signal.
Mixing the tiny voltages involved with the speakers with all that 12v power generation just doesn't sit comfortably with me.
But if there is a Radio Expert out there to say otherwise.... I'm happy to be corrected.

You've not said how 'Vintage' it is, but in my experience, the earth for the power was always via the body up until sometime in the 70s, or possibly even 80s.
Basil the 1955 series II

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Apolaustic
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Apolaustic »

I agree with Geoberni, and would add that the earth is often supplied by the aerial connection.
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MCYorks
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by MCYorks »

Shropshiremoggie wrote: Sun May 30, 2021 8:52 am Have you tried searching Google for the radio. Loads of info there and maybe ( just maybe ) the info you need .
I agree with Shropshiremoggie, you should try to find some information on the web about the specific radio model before proceeding. There are some really great resources available.
Another important point to consider. Some old car radios were available as either positive earth or negative earth models. Others could be swapped between positive or negative earth by changing internal links. You need to be absolutely sure you're wiring it up correctly and for the earth polarity it requires. Because a wrong connection, even for a split second, could damage the electronics.
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geoberni
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by geoberni »

Boomlander wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 10:59 pm
Just bought a new old stock radio to replace the modern CD player in Willum.
I'm hoping that it came with a box, or at least a label stuck on it, to say whether it's Pos or Neg Earth, that would really be a corker of a mistake. :wink: How 'Old' is it?
Basil the 1955 series II

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Boomlander
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Thanks for the help folks,
It is an Aristar mono radio possibly late 60s to early 70s as it still has Radio Luxembourg on the tuning indicator.
It makes perfect sense what you say regarding the chassis providing the earth connection. It does have a polarity selector which is set to negative earth.
I will fit it over the weekend and let you know the outcome. :roll:

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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Shropshiremoggie »

Luxembourg — you will be able to listen to Horace Batchelor !!!
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Myrtles Man »

'Spelt K.E.Y...'
Boomlander
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Hi all,
I connected the radio wires to a spare battery in my shed with an earth lead from the chassis as per your advice and brown and black wires to the speaker........It works!
A tiny light behind the dial came on and a faint hiss came from the speaker.
Should be fine once the unit is in the car and the aerial connected.
Thanks again for your help. 👍😁

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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Shropshiremoggie wrote: Sun May 30, 2021 10:21 pm Luxembourg — you will be able to listen to Horace Batchelor !!!
Who he? 🤔

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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Shropshiremoggie »

Horace Batchelor - The Infra Draw Method . One of the most recognised voices and ‘ adverts ‘ on Radio Luxembourg during the 50s and 60s. Football pool forecasting ! I’m guessing you are not of the age where you listened to Luxembourg .
Well done with the radio ( or should it be wireless ).
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by les »

Radio Luxembourg 208 Medium wave ? I remember listening on a six transistor. Just looked up Horace, he was born 1898 and died 1977.
Boomlander
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Shropshiremoggie wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 9:15 am Horace Batchelor - The Infra Draw Method . One of the most recognised voices and ‘ adverts ‘ on Radio Luxembourg during the 50s and 60s. Football pool forecasting ! I’m guessing you are not of the age where you listened to Luxembourg .
Well done with the radio ( or should it be wireless ).
Football pool forecasting?
No wonder I have never heard of him,
I used to listen to Luxembourg for the music not football result predictions, what a waste of airtime! 😂

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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

Disaster!
Just finished fitting terminals to the radio leads when the unit slid off the workbench.
It of course landed face first on the floor shattering the faceplate and control knobs!
Awaiting delivery of a Radiomobile unit to take the place of the ruined one. 😭

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geoberni
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by geoberni »

Oh dear, that's sad news....
Basil the 1955 series II

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les
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by les »

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Boomlander
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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by Boomlander »

That's a fine looking radio,
The one I've bought is a model K200 with push button selectors. May be a bit later than yours. 😁👍

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Re: Vintage Car Radio

Post by les »

Yes it uses valves, switch on and wait for it to warm up! I think yours will be transistors, good luck with it. Don’t drop it !! :D

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