pouët.net

Hey there :)

I got a question for you hardware-tinkerers. I'm planning to put the electronics of my old and ugly 90ies stereo into a more stylish shell of an old radio i got on the fleamarket.

into this -->

The problem is that the two logic boards are connected via a 90 degree connector as seen on the pics below. But there's no way to put the boards like that in the 'new' housing. They would easily fit on top of each other though. Most convinient solution would be to buy two of the fitting connectors and make my own cable. Thats what i plan, but i have no idea where to get those connectors.




They have 30pins, but i never saw connectors like this before.
So do anyone know these kind of connectors and know where to buy fitting counterparts to make my own cable?

Thanks in advance for any hints & suggestions.

i'm not a tinkerer, but i can think. wouldn't it be just alright to get some defective version of that lil aiwa and take that connetors? so you got 2 pairs. :)

you gotta attach a flat cable youself ofc.

or maybe you can replace the connectors on the boards with some modified pc parts and use an ide cable? *shrugs*

just solder some ribbon cable to each end.

Go here and try to identify it:
http://fr.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=203441+210195024+210171012&No=0&getResults=true&appliedparametrics=true&prevNValues=203441&mm=1001819||,1002541||,&filtersHidden=false&appliedHidden=false&autoApply=false

You'll have to know the step (spacing between two pins on the connector), then look at the picture for each result and try to identify one that looks similar enough to fit.

If that fails, your best option is soldering ribon cable directly to the boards, or add some other connector there, preferably ones you can easily get an extension cable for (so IDE would be a good choice).

I'd desolder that connector and stick some ribbon cable there. Remember when you cut the ribbon cable to cut at an angle across it, not staight across (much easier to get the ends to go where you want without cable stresses).

I know it's like 60 pins total but honestly, the spacing is generous and you can do it even if you're not a pro-level iron wielder.

desolder such a large connector can be a pain in the ass and a risky move.

I would solder two pin header rows directly to the soldering points on the back of the PCB (don't remove the connector). Apply hot glue to make everything robust. Than use something like this to connect the two boards.

On thing you need to be aware of is that you probably can not extended the the distance between the two connectors by a lot (electronically-wise).

Also, mind that there are several types of square pin connectors, see this for more details.

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the pins are connected to ground.

According to what I think might be the bill of materials and schematic, CN601 is a 30 pin TYK-B (X) connector. Searching its part number yielded a dead end. Looks like a proprietary Sony/Aiwa connector that is no longer manufactured.

Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I followed your suggestions and desoldered the connectors and placed some wires inbetween.

The only time i desoldered sth before was using desoldering wick and it really was a pain in the ass. So i decided that i need some proper tool.
Because i didn't had a desoldering pump yet i looked at amazon for buying one and finally bought this model (with integrated heating):
With this device, desoldering really was very easy and fun. (Yes, fun. :D) So i can only recommend it if you don't already own a desoldering pump.

Soldering the cables was pretty straightforward then.. most time-consuming was cutting and de-isulating cables.. but for that i used my trusty favourite tool: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B002BDNL4Q/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It works like magic :)

So this is the result:






And testing everything which needs to be put in the old stereo:


IT WORKS :D

You can use one of the original knobs to power on and off, another to switch between radio/aux in. The two encoders seen in the front will replace the old original knobs for volume and sender. Only thing i still need are proper plastic knobs, because the old ones were ugly and worn out. i tried these: http://www.ebay.de/itm/130905808811 and these: http://www.ebay.de/itm/130840548260 but unfortunately they are too small.. i thought it would work but the just look wrong on the radio.. i guess the min diameter should be 4cm.. so i'm in search of knobs in this style but only bigger.. any ideas? wooden would probably also work.

oh and this is a view from the inside:


the big-ass speaker is the original one (from the fifties). it's working like a charm and gives a nice, warm sound. (and yes, there are lego-blicks and hot-glue in place :P)

Save the tuning capacitors from that old radio. They don't make them like they used to.

nice one :)
Also, I didn't realise that the heated solder pumps existed, off to order one now :)

Cool floor btw

Very cool project. Keep us posted on the result.

I got a desoldering iron off ebay a few months ago, it has a solenoid on the sump, bit bulky, but much easier with one hand, plus it was only about ten quid.

Nice job venom, but how about restoring that old set, I did one for a hotel in Paphos (from the 40's) the owner was most impressed I got it working again.

Got a pic somewhere...

here it is, 100% original exept the left-hand knob.

trc_wm: yeah i will :)
TLM: original GDR from the 80ies.. but very worn out now
FunGas: That old set was beyond repair, believe me ;) Nice job on that radio! And yeah, it seems to be extremly difficult to get bigger knobs..

again, ebay has bakelite knobs if you don't mind paying antique prices.

One thing about restoring things like that, is they have been repeatedly modded over the years and you have to figure out what the mods are for...