Heirloom item help please

[FrankSinatra]

I have been browsing the forum for some guidance on adding aux/bluetooth is there a link somewhere to one please Paul?

Looks like it's going to be dark grey.

Also had the idea of adding a foot mount lamp holder with an eddison style es27 lamp to the deck chamber, perhaps wiring to the mains power as is with a switch on the back or maybe separately powered?

[Michael Maurice]

What I’ve done in the past is fit a Bluetooth and connect it in by taking out one of the wavelengths, usually SW.

I’ts doable but you need to know exactly what you’re doing.

[FrankSinatra]

Hello Michael I am a beginner to be fair so I think i would struggle unless there is a a good step by step guide around.

[paulsherwin]

As I said earlier, it's easier to add a line level input which just needs a switched stereo socket somewhere unobtrusive. You can plug anything into that, including a Bluetooth module. If you want to fit a BT module internally there are a number of power supply and switching issues to address. You could pay someone to do this for you, but it may not be cheap (think of half a day of a skilled plumber's time - the level of skill is similar).

[FrankSinatra]

A line level input would be fine I could add bluetooth receiver to that, I'd there a guide to this anywhere please Paul?

[paulsherwin]

I'm not aware of an online guide, but the standard approach is to route the two channels from the cartridge to a switched socket. When no plug is inserted, the amp continues to receive a signal from the cartridge. With a plug inserted, it receives a signal from whatever is plugged in.

[FrankSinatra]

OK I can understand the logic in that, i will try and find a practical "how to", the socket looks fairly cheap from a quick search, and I'm sure I can find a discreet place for the jack somewhere.

[Refugee]

If you have a spare small transformer and relay you can wire it across the gram motor.
No holes need to be drilled in the cabinet and you can have BT while you are changing the records.

[FrankSinatra]

Thanks, I'm an start from scratch beginner here so I don't have any spares, would be buying anything needed.

[Refugee]

One tip for what I was thinking.
Take one of those spare wall warts with a broken DC plug to bits and if it is an older one you will find a small transformer.
Scrap washing machines and even some fridge/freezers have relays in them.
It is amazing how many parts can be found locally.

[FrankSinatra]

Been having a look today and wondered why no back light on the radio, found the culprit, days 3v 0.5a bulb looks like an e10 screw.

Would this be OK as a straight swap for LED I would like a warm white really, or do I need a similar bulb as is?

[Refugee]

You will need an ordinary diode and a resistor as well as the LED.
The old bulb will be AC and the LED will be DC.

[FrankSinatra]

Thanks will have a look at that.

Been tracing these two odd connections, two brown wires go under the deck and then under the chassis, photo attached. Wonder if this is already routed for a line?

[Michael Maurice]

Originally Posted by Refugee

If you have a spare small transformer and relay you can wire it across the gram motor.
No holes need to be drilled in the cabinet and you can have BT while you are changing the records.

The o/P would need to tap into the switched supply for the motor.

Originally Posted by FrankSinatra

Thanks will have a look at that.

Been tracing these two odd connections, two brown wires go under the deck and then under the chassis, photo attached. Wonder if this is already routed for a line?

No those brown wires could be the supply for the motor.

[FrankSinatra]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Fit a mains plug, connecting wires to N and L, either way round, and fitting a 3A fuse.

But before doing so, is the plastic insulation on the wire in good condition with no cuts or brittleness?

Do you mean it doesn't matter which pin the wires are wired into live or neutral?

[FrankSinatra]

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Dirty controls may well be causing the noise you're hearing, especially if it goes away when you adjust them.

I have cleaned all the switches today Paul but the noise on two settings of the tone knob is still there, it's like a spluttering noise which seems to be from the right speaker, on gram and radio settings, it goes completely on the third turn of the tone control?

[Refugee]

Originally Posted by Michael Maurice

The o/P would need to tap into the switched supply for the motor.

I agree but remember that the motor switch is easy to see and work on.
It is going to be easier than finding that tone control capacitor and changing it in order to shut that crackly tone control up.
If that is so than the grid capacitors on the output valves aught to be changed as well.

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by FrankSinatra

Do you mean it doesn't matter which pin the wires are wired into live or neutral?

Yes, for the purposes of this thread

[FrankSinatra]

Originally Posted by Refugee

I agree but remember that the motor switch is easy to see and work on.
It is going to be easier than finding that tone control capacitor and changing it in order to shut that crackly tone control up.
If that is so than the grid capacitors on the output valves aught to be changed as well.

Is the tone control capacitor the main suspect you think for the crackle? Why would it only happen on two of the tone settings and not all?

[Edward Huggins]

You speak of "tone control settings". Is it a switched or a variable tone control? It is highly unlikely that your Radiogram would ever have been previously altered for a Line/Aux/MP3 input.