This Video shows how to Open Up - Disconnect and Remove a NuTone Model N2561 / N2562 Radio Intercom Master Station. The Video includes a brief overview of the NuTone N2561 / N2562 Master Station Controls.
I just moved into a home built in 1963 that has this system installed with 9 remote stations and one door station. As someone who designs and installs multi-thousand dollar smart home/audio systems for a living, I've fallen in love with this unit and it's vintage charm & convenience. Mine has some minor issues that I'd like to address soon so your video and the one on the knob cleaning will be very helpful! Thank you so much!
Hi Schwob94: If you encounter any issues that you have questions about, please contact me. It's nice to hear from someone who works with modern equipment and still appreciates the usefulness and coolness of vintage systems - Chris
Yeah, it's incredible the kinds of stuff we install in people's homes every day, but this system is still very fascinating and useful. Well it was until yesterday unfortunately... I sprayed the contacts and pots on most of my remote stations last night and it worked wonders on the functionality of everything at the moment, but I woke up this morning to find that all the plastic parts on the lever switches had somehow melted from a reaction with the contact cleaner. I have a potential way to salvage them, but several of the ones I had cleaned have now stopped functioning. Some stations had different parts than others, so the different components did not like the cleaner I guess. Not giving up on the system yet though!
Hi Schwob94: I'm not trying here to add to your problem - but I really want to use this as a teaching moment for others. There's a reason why i recommend the DeOxit D5 cleaner for the controls switches. I've been using it for years and it would never cause the type of problem you encountered. If you need some replacement parts - let me know and I'll see what I can do. Sorry about the trouble - Chris
No worries, I'm glad that this can at least be used as a teaching moment for others. I immediately suspected that this happened precisely because I didn't order a can of DeOxit and used what I had on hand. Nothing I can do about my laziness at this point. If I can't fix the switches, I will most likely retire the system and end up installing one of our high-end zone systems through work unfortunately, instead of sinking any more money into this one. However, I don't have any plans to remove the panels from each room or any part of the NuTone system, both for aesthetics purposes and in case I come across a solution for my miserable mistake.
This was extremely informative and useful, as I am considering selling the NuTone N2561/2562 system in our house which was new in 1970. I was originally just going to cut the many wires going to the multi-plug until you revealed the terminal strip. So now I can remove it cleanly as a unit and preserve the original installation. Thanks!
Thank you for the detailed information regarding the removal of the Radio/Int. control panel. I have this model in my recently purchased home, and the volume/radio knobs are "staticky". My plan is to remove the panel, clean all connections with contact cleaner and rewire a new antenna. The old antenna was cut off by previous chimney workers. Thanks!
You should do an overview for all systems you disassemble (i.e. like you did for the 2540), if the system is still functioning similarly to the 2540 when you were showing its controls. It's interesting to see how operation for these have changed over the years!
Hey Chris, I have a home built in the 60s with this main unit and roughly 20 room units. Looking for upgrade options. The main unit is having some issues now but had been working perfectly. I'd like to speak with you in a bit more detail. Thanks!
Hello! I appreciate your video. My husband and are a young couple that appreciates these older systems. Things just aren't built like they used to, now a days. We have one of these in our house that we bought 3 years ago and we don't want to replace it but rather improve it. It came with a record player as well. Maybe there is a way of making it have a Bluetooth capability with the auxiliary cord?? The speakers sound pretty good but some of the speakers are kinda of shotty at this point. We are looking for a repair service and you seem to know a lot about these systems. We live in western PA and love supporting small businesses and handymen. Can you help or have someone that you can refer to us? Thank you!
Hi Stacy: It is possible to add the ability to use the system with Bluetooth, especially since you already have a Phonograph. It is unlikely that you'll find a local person who can work on your system. We can help you with any any repairs that are needed. It will be easiest if you contact us directly about your system - Chris 925-743-8236
adding bluetooth capability is simple. buy a bluetooth receiver off of Amazon, they're cheap but look for one with good reviews. there are battery operated versions or ones you power with a usb cable, but make sure it is a receiver, not a transmitter. then simply just plug it into the aux port. it is possible to do an integrated solution where you use the intercom's own power for a little circuit board, and solder the output to the internal aux connections (I'd recommend adding an external interrupt switch, so there is no noise when you are using the aux port normally). This is also super affordable but is obviously more custom and involved.
Hi Zaku-x109: Based on visual identification - All of the Screws are #6 Coarse Thread Wood Screws with Slotted heads - The Screws that hold the Wall-Housing to the Framing are 3/4" long - The Screws that hold the Mounting Brackets to the Wall-Housing are 3/8" Long - Chris
Dear Chris: Do you have any advice about restoring a discoloured faceplate ? I've been using Uni gold/silver marker paint pens but they are rather opaque than shiny. Do you use any special painting ? Thank-you.
Great video, really was helpful as i just going cut wires to pull it out. I want to modernize the internals of this unit, make it like smart controlled unit. And want to update the driver inside, do you know what size and type of driver is best for this unit?
Hi Kingkckc: The speaker in a N2561 / N2562 is a 6" X 9" 45 ohm shallow diaphragm speaker cone. The best type of speaker for this model is the speaker that came with it originally - Chris
HI HarveyHarvey1958: NuTone did make an optional faux wood trim frame that clipped onto the edge of the face plate. This frame does not chance how the Master Station is removed. NuTone did not make any metal trim ring. - Chris
Dear Chris: After almost fifty years of use, is it recommended to add heat-sink compound and new mica insulators to the Output transistors ? When should I perform this action ?
Hi Luis: It would be perfectly fine to replace the heat sink compound and mica insulators on the TO6 output transistors. You should use a good quality general purpose, non-conductive , silicone free compound like Techspray 1978DP. Don"t use compounds that are designed for use with microprocessor in computer like Artric Silver.. The purpose of the compound is to fill the microscopic imperfections in the metal surfaces and in the mica insulator. - therefor making a thermal bond between all surfaces. When applying the compound you want the thinnest possible application on all surfaces . If you end up with compound squishing out from underneath the transistors - you put way to much. Make sure you put each transistors back in its original location - don't switch them around. The transistors in the N2561 operate a t a very low level and they're not really ever stressed - so they don't run hot. - Chris
@@northsideservicecompany3567 an inquiring customer of a younger generation is modernizing their residence. I respect your appreciation for the classic as a fellow electronic Technician; however, there is no amount of convincing this customer. I don't know his exact model, it resembles the unit in your tutorial. You are welcome to have it and the 5 zone units.
@@awakenedtotruth8419 What is critically important when upgrading an existing system - is understand the type of wire that was used and the wiring layout. These 2 things will dictate what the replacement equipment can be. It would incorrect to choose equipment that is not compatible with the wire type or that requires a different wiring layout - Unless you're planning on re-wiring the house - Chris
We have this system on our home, which was renovated in 1969 and had this system put it. The radio stations and monitoring tend to be scratchy and distorted as well as we usually have static when we've used it to monitor our baby. Is this something removing the main unit and having it serviced would take care of?
Hi Nadine: The distorted sound when playing the radio and when using the monitor feature are likely form the 2561/2562 being old and tired - a rebuild would take care of these problems. As with all of theses models, the control switches in all of the Remote Stations wold benefit from being cleaned - Here's a link to our Video that shows how to clean the controls in the Remote Stations: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LbuevwArsKw.html If you're interested in having the Master Station rebuilt - please fill out an Intercom Repair Request form and once I receive it, I'll contact you by phone to discuss the problems with your 2561 and its repair Here's a link to the Repair Request Form:docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQHT6fVgm25twaXFeCkkgeITEfAE_zlRBry6B8-GbIs19wcQ/viewform?formkey=dF9RVjBQMFQ5S0xYbTBHMHRoNkVkRFE6MQ Chris
If someone was wanting to install a system like this in a house, would it be completely impossible to find a master station and enough speakers, with the mounting brackets to install?
Hi compactc9: It depends. Finding vintage equipment is sometimes easy and sometimes difficult. If you're thinking of finding all NOS Equipment - then it would almost impossible. Given enough time a patience - it is possible. so far for this year (2022) We have supplied enough vintage equipment to 4 different customers to install "new-vintage" systems. - Chris
@@northsideservicecompany3567 Not particular about new or used, mostly just complete and functioning. Most interested in one of these that can accept more than 10 stations. I believe this model in the video can handle 16? If I read the catalog correctly.
@@compactc9 This is far to complex of a topic to discuss through RU-vid Comments - It would be best if you contacted us directly - Chris nscompany@msn.com
Hi Leslie, You should call me to discuss the possibilities of upgrading your N2561 / N2562 System. It is to complicated to answer through messages on RU-vid - Chris 925-743-8236
You could plug an mp3 player into the phono input RCA jack in the lower front of the master. But be careful! It's possible that it needs an isolation transformer to protect the player from voltage that might appear on that RCA jack. Have someone with electronics experience and a voltmeter check it for you first.
