Introdução

Teardown of a 1976 clock radio. It still works!

  1. gBOew6LAQT6IvImi
    gBOew6LAQT6IvImi
    tx3rL3JQ3jKqIlEU
    • This is a 1976 General Electric Clock Radio. As you can see it still works! The fact that it works demonstrates that vintage devices were made with better quality back then.

    • Inside, it features a Texas Instruments TMS 3455NL microprocessor and a built in AM/FM radio system.

  2. TPGfs4rIhRcZBbAF
    TPGfs4rIhRcZBbAF
    BcZ1mFlyeW4EWVIr
    VYIwXEDmbQ2AQKU2
    • To begin disassembly, 6 Philips head screws need to be removed.

    • The screws in the middle are very deep inside the device. A long Philips screwdriver is required.

  3. AaZmEpK4EAoMj4D2
    AaZmEpK4EAoMj4D2
    aSRLgPhDQxSUu31A
    HRIQO4FxSHVKVG5Y
    • Once all 6 screws are removed, the plastic volume switch cover will need to be removed.

    • To remove the volume switch cover, gently pull it off of the clock radio.

  4. eJxRALLgxug1DPuY
    eJxRALLgxug1DPuY
    kEFDTZVMnhpeEKEI
    sRZ1k4MVrMDOBUYr
    • After you have removed the volume switch cover, carefully lift up the bottom cover of the clock radio.

    • The speaker is only attached by the radio being held together, the speaker may fall down unexpectedly if opened wrongly.

  5. JUUgPmr1C6TdQWOr
    JUUgPmr1C6TdQWOr
    XshCBFDSXSfOjHOl
    UQHVlITtExNVMR6N
    • Once, the radio is opened, use a flathead screwdriver to pry away the four clips holding the button PCB in place.

    • Inside the radio there are high voltage components such as a large transformer and multiple large capacitors, DO NOT TOUCH THEM unless you know they are discharged. You can get very hurt from being shocked by one of these capacitors.

  6. XQHFroQZW61bOTRs
    XQHFroQZW61bOTRs
    WfuygYUxOMrLFnTa
    lCNrjc1KHWhGC5Qd
    • Next, there are four screws holding the main PCB in place. Remove all of them with a Philips screwdriver.

    • (I only show 3 screws being removed but there are four.)

  7. gOJTQcKKv6QENNhY
    gOJTQcKKv6QENNhY
    3eIEiVNbRj6kCKyS
    GcfZEUvL3K3UOMIV
    • Once all four screws have been removed, lift up the display or the edge of PCB and set it aside.

    • I love seeing hand drawn traces. This clock was made well before CAD software helped PCB development. Someone had to design this entire PCB by hand and probably by themselves.

  8. FNSrQE2tyTqwkCFO
    FNSrQE2tyTqwkCFO
    WImOBvi3RFGXAFGV
    • The main PCB connected to the vacuum florescent display is kind of a mess. There are lots of budge wires and components everywhere.

    • In the center of the PCB under a piece of plastic is a small 32 pin DIP microcontroller. This is the Texas Instruments TMS 3455NL processor.

  9. P2lEeYELcYoxkYcV
    P2lEeYELcYoxkYcV
    CT1eurh2rsUFpZvc
    • On the other side of the clock radio, there is the radio assembly PCB. It is pretty straightforward and has only basic components, such as an antenna, potentiometer, some capacitors, resistors , and a small microcontroller.

    • (I can’t find anything online about this chip but, it does power the radio assembly PCB.)

  10. qdxf6pU5Bq5MpNmO
    • Well, this is the end of the teardown. Thanks for viewing if you did:)

    • To reassemble your device repeat these steps in reverse order. DO NOT TOUCH THE CAPACITORS.

Mr.CircuitBoard

Membro desde: 30/04/25

1347 Reputação

0 comentários