Philips N2205 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

reeltoreelrob · 6th Sep 2016, 7:26 pm

Hi all,
I have got the tape recorder (bought it off ebay ages ago) all it needed was new belts and it now works fine. Just wondered does anyone have any ideas about this main lead connector, I have not had any luck in finding one.
Thanks in advance
Rob.

TonyDuell · 6th Sep 2016, 8:19 pm

That was the standard mains lead used on Philips tape recorders in the 1970s. AFAIK it was custom to Philips. It's the same lead used on the N1500 video recorder, not that that helps much..

The cable connector was moulded (not re-wireable) and of course it only fits one way round as the 2 pins are at 90 degrees to each other.

I have one (but only one) and at least 3 machines that use it, so I am not offering it for sale. Unfortunately attempting to make your own mains leads is frowned upon here.

reeltoreelrob · 6th Sep 2016, 8:59 pm

Thanks for the reply I was wondering if I could remove the block and replace it with a figure of 8 block or one from a computer power supply and not conect the earth that's if these would fit in the unit.

TonyDuell · 6th Sep 2016, 9:10 pm

Is this a battery/mains machine? If so, there's a switch contact operated by inserting the cable (it disconnects the internal batteries) that will not be present on the replacement connectors.

Apart from that it is just a normal 2 wire mains connection to the primary of the mains transformer.

reeltoreelrob · 6th Sep 2016, 9:29 pm

Ha, I hadn't thought of that you are right it does have a little switch on the connector, that said I very much doubt I will ever want to use it on batteries but it's nice to keep it how it should be.

camtechman · 7th Sep 2016, 6:17 am

If I were you, remove the present chassis 'socket' and keep it somewhere safe. Replace it with a Switched Figure 8 type and make a suitable mounting plate. That way it will be fully usable and, one day one of the original Philips lead may turn up and you'll be able to revert to that.

I have two of these machines, one the Philips N2205 and the other the Pye TR9115 version, both use the same mains connector.

I got my lead by buying a "For Parts" machine which had the lead with it. The whole kit and caboodle cost me £12.00. I have seen a lead on Ebay that cost £25 + P&P !!

Good luck.

reeltoreelrob · 7th Sep 2016, 6:48 pm

Hi, thanks for the replies, it looks like a switchable figure of 8 is the way forward.
All the best
Rob.

Chindit · 13th Sep 2016, 9:02 am

The N2205 was my first tape recorder! Bought for me as a birthday or Christmas present in around 1973 by my parents. It came from the Philips staff shop at the Mullard Plant in Blackburn where my dad worked. I think it was around £32; which was a lot of money then! Great little machine; my mate down the road had one too and we used to spend our time copying cassettes for each other. He was a member of a music club - you could hire records or pre-recorded tapes for a couple of weeks and, of course, copy them! All done by post too!
I seem to remember, inserting the mains lead cut out the batteries - on mains the meter was permanently illuminated; on battery you had to depress a button to light it up. Had mine until probably around 1990 when unfortunately I threw it out in favour of a fancy double speaker, double deck Sony boom box!
Colin.

6th Sep 2016, 7:26 pm	#1
reeltoreelrob Pentode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 202	Philips N2205 Hi all, I have got the tape recorder (bought it off ebay ages ago) all it needed was new belts and it now works fine. Just wondered does anyone have any ideas about this main lead connector, I have not had any luck in finding one. Thanks in advance Rob. Attached Thumbnails

6th Sep 2016, 8:19 pm	#2
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Philips N2205 That was the standard mains lead used on Philips tape recorders in the 1970s. AFAIK it was custom to Philips. It's the same lead used on the N1500 video recorder, not that that helps much.. The cable connector was moulded (not re-wireable) and of course it only fits one way round as the 2 pins are at 90 degrees to each other. I have one (but only one) and at least 3 machines that use it, so I am not offering it for sale. Unfortunately attempting to make your own mains leads is frowned upon here.

6th Sep 2016, 8:59 pm	#3
reeltoreelrob Pentode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 202	Re: Philips N2205 Thanks for the reply I was wondering if I could remove the block and replace it with a figure of 8 block or one from a computer power supply and not conect the earth that's if these would fit in the unit.

6th Sep 2016, 9:10 pm	#4
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Philips N2205 Is this a battery/mains machine? If so, there's a switch contact operated by inserting the cable (it disconnects the internal batteries) that will not be present on the replacement connectors. Apart from that it is just a normal 2 wire mains connection to the primary of the mains transformer.

6th Sep 2016, 9:29 pm	#5
reeltoreelrob Pentode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 202	Re: Philips N2205 Ha, I hadn't thought of that you are right it does have a little switch on the connector, that said I very much doubt I will ever want to use it on batteries but it's nice to keep it how it should be.

7th Sep 2016, 6:17 am	#6
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Philips N2205 If I were you, remove the present chassis 'socket' and keep it somewhere safe. Replace it with a Switched Figure 8 type and make a suitable mounting plate. That way it will be fully usable and, one day one of the original Philips lead may turn up and you'll be able to revert to that. I have two of these machines, one the Philips N2205 and the other the Pye TR9115 version, both use the same mains connector. I got my lead by buying a "For Parts" machine which had the lead with it. The whole kit and caboodle cost me £12.00. I have seen a lead on Ebay that cost £25 + P&P !! Good luck. __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

7th Sep 2016, 6:48 pm	#7
reeltoreelrob Pentode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 202	Re: Philips N2205 Hi, thanks for the replies, it looks like a switchable figure of 8 is the way forward. All the best Rob.

13th Sep 2016, 9:02 am	#8
Chindit Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK. Posts: 97	Re: Philips N2205 The N2205 was my first tape recorder! Bought for me as a birthday or Christmas present in around 1973 by my parents. It came from the Philips staff shop at the Mullard Plant in Blackburn where my dad worked. I think it was around £32; which was a lot of money then! Great little machine; my mate down the road had one too and we used to spend our time copying cassettes for each other. He was a member of a music club - you could hire records or pre-recorded tapes for a couple of weeks and, of course, copy them! All done by post too! I seem to remember, inserting the mains lead cut out the batteries - on mains the meter was permanently illuminated; on battery you had to depress a button to light it up. Had mine until probably around 1990 when unfortunately I threw it out in favour of a fancy double speaker, double deck Sony boom box! Colin.