Bad Ass Clairtone 7980 AKA CF100 Mod-Resto

[kennerithmcguire]

I started collecting a short while ago, and have approx 30+ boxes in my collection. The one thing i have been missing is a box that can give me true kick ass sound. This spurred my project:

Take a stock unit and turn it into a crazy wall shaking box, with detailed highs that don't scream at higher volumes. I wanted a box that represented me. Keep in mind I don't have crazy skills like some of the people on here, and I make plenty of mistakes lol. For the most part i would say i'm fairly handy.

Anyways here's the beginning of my Resto-Mod:

As I said I started with a stock Clairtone 7980, both tape decks didn't work, pots were all scratchy, unit was 8 out of 10.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Some stock pictures before i started working on it as a reference....

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Tear down...

 

[THAFUZZ]

That's in pretty good shape for a starter box.

 

[ralrein1]

Can't wait to see the mods.Digging all the pics so far.

 

[blu_fuz]

Damn the body on that is clean! I love some resto mods, hopefully while keeping some OG.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Damn the body on that is clean! I love some resto mods, hopefully while keeping some OG.

No doubt! I want to keep the look of the box, but want it to be a sleeper....

More tear down pictures.....

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Tear down went without major hiccups.

Next step was to see if my choice of woofers would fit.

 

[THAFUZZ]

Those magnets are crazy big!

 

[-GZ-]

Them are Cerwin Vegas!! Better reinforce that box!!

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Next step:

Choose tweeters that will work and make the necessary mods... used a foster tweeter with the same bolt pattern to outline the excess plastic to be removed.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

You can see the difference in the magnet size between the original paper tweeter and the 1" soft dome CV tweeter. I also had to shave and sand to get the final shape needed. They are very close and fit well.

 

[-GZ-]

I'm lovin everything about this.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

This is where things got a little tricky for me. The increased weight of these components wreaked havoc with the 30 year old plastic.

Using the Boomboxery forums, I researched other posts where people had faced similar challenges and enlisted a donor box.

Using my trusty Dremel I removed the uprights/mounting points i needed. JB weld was used to fasten the parts to the frame. JB Weld was also used to reinforce any plastic that was stressed or showed cracks.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Once the glue had set ( 24hrs later ), I mounted all the speaker components.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Next step was trial and error...Adding and removing dampening materials. Reassembling the unit to test the sound.

The goal was to find a balance between volume and quality. While not causing over heating or a soft mushy bass. I also had to content with all sorts of rattles, creaks, etc.

 

[blu_fuz]

My concern is that the amp components are already overstressed in a C100 that I can't imagine how long they will even last with speakers this massive..... I hope it all works out for you.

 

[kennerithmcguire]

My concern is that the amp components are already overstressed in a C100 that I can't imagine how long they will even last with speakers this massive..... I hope it all works out for you.

Hi Blu_Fuz

I don't really understand why they would be over stressed additionally. The combined components impedance is 6ohms ( 5.7 ). If i am not mistaken the original impedance was 4ohms. The efficiency of the woofers 92db @1w, that should be inline or better than the original components.

I assure you I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm trying to understand and to learn from the forums experience. Obviously the age is a major factor, and I have already purchased a new class D 150w x 150w @ 8ohm stereo amp. I am also seeking out a solution for a power supply. Do i build something? I haven't got that far. For the amp to function at the full power rating I would need 24v+ volts.....


As i see it here are the obstacles I need to over come:

Amplifier - Under Powered
Power supply - Needs to be more robust
Improve harmonics of a plastic box - Combination of matting and Dynamat
Keep existing preamp board?
Keep overall look OG - Change inside but not the outside

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Next steps finalize the sound deadening materials...

 

[kennerithmcguire]

Added the crossovers, and rewired the speakers...