Powering up a Sony KV-5200

[Eric H]

I picked up one of these today for $5, it's a little rough but not horrible.
I didn't get any cords or adapter.

It has an AC input with a cutout switch and a DC input labeled 12/24V.

Is the AC input straight line voltage? I realize it needs to push the bypass switch also but can I wire it directly to line voltage otherwise for testing?

What about the 12/24V DC input, can I just hook it to a car battery and see if it'll run?

This little "Portable" weighs a ton, presumably because I can see it has a Lead/Acid Gel Cell in the bottom.

For $5 I figured it'd be good for parts at least.

[kx250rider]

The AC cord is straight line voltage, and has a slightly rounded plug with the stud on top to push the switch in. You can probably still get that new from Andrews, if you need. You can also try modifying a cord from a laptop or printer power supply... I've seen some of those that are darn close in size & pin spacing. The Sony is wider spacing than a cheater cord, unfortunately.

Don't worry about Variac'ing it up... New enough. Nice set too! I have one. They usually work fine, unless been dropped. If I'm not mistaken, the battery pack is a stack of NiCd 'D' batteries in a sealed case. Beware of leakage!

Charles

[Eric H]

Thanks Charles, I'll see what I can come up with and report back with some pictures.

[Eric H]

It does work!
At first it wouldn't tune channels, had no sound and was stuck on 13, I went to turn it around for pictures and it suddenly the sound popped on and the tuner started working, I might have jostled the cord and zapped it into operation.

Anyway, here are the pics, screen shot is lousy, the camera generates some hash that plays hell with the signal.

The antenna is broken, it's dirty and worst of all there's a small amount of Aluminum paint smeared on the right front corner of the black base, that'll be hard to clean off without damaging the plastic.

[kx250rider]

Looking good! That antenna rod can be harvested from any Sony AN-16 rabbit ear set, and they're easy to find. It unscrews from the ball base, so you don't even have to take the handle apart.

Tip on restoring those Sony plastic cabinets: Those satin-finish silver colors can be had from any auto paint store who sells SEM brand spray can touch up paints. They have a dull finish paint like that for car trim, such as plastic radiator grilles and hubcaps from the 80s & 90s. When you see how well it works, you'll know why it's $13/can. The trick is to apply as many as 6 or 7 very VERY light coats; about 5 minutes apart. The first coat should be so light that it shouldn't even show.

Charles