New guy, from Sweden with love

[sallabanka]

Hey! New here.

Average guy from Sweden, work in audiology (we call it audionom in Sweden).

Glad I found an oldschool forum that also caters to something interesting.

I have limited boombox experience, but I've had a few (nothing fancy really, smaller compact boxes more suited for a small balcony rather than something big, cool or valuable).

I recently bought a Panasonic RX-5500LS (I think its an LS, anyway). Haven't received it yet, but will any day now. I gather it's a bit of sleeper model from my searches, but well-built and good sounding.

Hoping to be able to playing auxiliary soundsources (like from a phone, conveniently) through the DIN IN, or else I'll se what I have to mod. Also hoping to get back into making mixtapes (underrated way of listening, especially in rural conditions without electricity and phone-reception).

In any case, hoping it's a solid piece in nice condition.

 

[beansmaynard]

Lovely boombox and welcome!

 

[AE_Stereo]

Welcome.

 

[Netsurfer_x1]

Well, welcome welcome!

Do enjoy yourself here.

 

[Northerner]

Good sounding box that one

 

[BoomboxLover48]

RX-5500 is a beautiful boombox. It's easy to work on also.

 

[sallabanka]

Thanks guys! It has arrived. Radio works, the toggle between radio/phono/tape seems to be a bit oxidized but after a bit of toggling it works and plays from both speakers. LED-Meters seem to need a bit of warming up, but works after some playtime. Cassette motor works, but mostly it sounds pretty awful using a cassette->3.5mm adapter. Sometimes it's just the left speaker, sometimes just noise, and sometimes both speakers but horrible quality. Haven't gotten around to trying the DIN IN from my phone yet (waiting for cable) but hoping it will work. Is there any easy way to do a general service of this machine?

Greetings from a f****ng cooking Sweden

 

[BoomboxLover48]

It's always good to have a Service Manual.

Product Request

Very careful when you open the boombox.
First thing to do is clean all the switch contacts with Deoxit Fader F5.
Make sure to clean the long record bar switch.
This is a good start.

 

[sallabanka]

Managed to get hold of a schematic, need to refill my electronics-cleaner. Thank you for your tips!

Gotta say, when it works properly and in stereo it really does sound good. It also looks really good!? Like a classic boombox

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Managed to get hold of a schematic, need to refill my electronics-cleaner. Thank you for your tips!

Gotta say, when it works properly and in stereo it really does sound good. It also looks really good!? Like a classic boombox

Deoxit Fader F5 is a cleaner and lubricant.
Just a cleaner alone will not do a good job.
Cleaner alone will leave a dry surface with no lubrication and interfere with the free movement.
Take pics when you dismantle it for reference.
It will be a good time for belts replacement also.

 

[Eddy]

Managed to get hold of a schematic, need to refill my electronics-cleaner. Thank you for your tips!

Gotta say, when it works properly and in stereo it really does sound good. It also looks really good!? Like a classic boombox

Yep , i hope that a 5500 wil cross my path one day . Not doing epay anymore though

 

[sallabanka]

Deoxit cleaner and lubricant seems hard to get by in Sweden. Could I do it in two steps in some smart way? First clean it with some isopropanol (IPA) and then re-lubricate (with say vaseline, or sewing machine oil)? I've also seen people recommend PRF 7-78, which I think is a cleaning- and lubrication spray.

Any tips appreciated for a newbie like myself, haha.

Been lurking around in other threads as well, people seem friendly and really have some cool ****!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Deoxit cleaner and lubricant seems hard to get by in Sweden. Could I do it in two steps in some smart way? First clean it with some isopropanol (IPA) and then re-lubricate (with say vaseline, or sewing machine oil)? I've also seen people recommend PRF 7-78, which I think is a cleaning- and lubrication spray.

Any tips appreciated for a newbie like myself, haha.

Been lurking around in other threads as well, people seem friendly and really have some cool ****!

No!
Oxidation of metal contact points are not well cleaned by IPA.
Don't use Vaseline or WD-40 for lubrication on boomboxes.

 

[sallabanka]

Alright, I'll get some proper stuff for the right purposes! Thank you.