A Roberts Radio with a peculiar to this set fault. Although I don't have the circuit for this one, the only fault they seem to come in with is a jack socket fault. Usually sorted by reflowing a dry joint ot two... but not this time...
I have noticed you do a lot of solder removal with the solder sucker. A good tip I have is, save all of the solder from the solder sucker into a little metal screw top tin. When you have a lot of small pieces, mix them in some citric acid, mix in a bit of liquid flux to bind it all together and make a solid piece. You have yourself a tin of tip cleaner / tinner. I have done this before and I am saving all my bits of solder to make another batch. First time, I used some solder without the flux core, melted it intpo a clump and then used a grinder on a dremmel to grind it into a dust and mixed it with citric acid (bought from sainsbury's as tesco doesnt sell it in boxes). Tip cleaner / tinner is so expensive to buy, it is cheaper to make and simple. :)
Hi, I think the problem with the centre pin on the socket is caused by the riveted pin not making contact with the solder terminal, regarding the green Varta batteries my wife acquired a box of them at a car boot although they are out of date they still seam ok. Regards from the old sod from North Wales.
In circuit the diodes read bad. In circuit the diodes didn't work. Out of circuit tested as good diodes. I stopped trying to figure it out and just replaced them with 1N4148 and it's all good again. Same with the riveted pin, out of circuit good, in circuit bad. That little board is the socket, 2 diodes and a resistor. It's not rocket science, but as a retired rocket scientist, I couldn't fathom it... My Varta batteries came from a car boot sale also. I bought quite a lot, and although some are 'out of date', and some are pretty close, they are great quality batteries.
i was thinking the thin pin wasn't making a good tight contact to the metal tab on the jack socket. They are often pressed in like a rivit, but not very well. :-( Also i would check the plug for a hole that's way too big, like a pea in a bucket lol. Nice radio though :-D
In circuit the diodes test bad. In circuit the diodes didn't work. Out of circuit tested as good diodes. I guess they (or at least one of them) breaks down under load. I thought at first one had been reversed, stopping the mains flow, but no, replaced like for like , and they're fine. They are a nice radio the R737, solid performers, and sound great. The jack socket is it's achilles heel. Usually, it's a reflow of the pins and all good. (dry joints). Pesky diodes saw that theory shot down like a conservative party promise...
In circuit the diodes read bad. In circuit the diodes didn't work. Out of circuit tested as good diodes. Replaced anyway with new didode diddly diddles, and all is good. Stopped trying to work out why. Just happy it's all gravy.
Varta. Military issue. Back in the day when I worked for Her Maj, they were tje same style but Duracell - again same green with the red band - and in the style of the black and gold civilian Duracell. M.O.D. found they could buy them cheaper and more reliable from Varta. I have AA's C's and D's like this. Bought locally as surplus, and within a year of expiry. When in the mob, if the shelf stock batteries were due to expire within 12 months, even though 'new' - they were replaced. Traceability and all that.
Hi mate , Ive got a Roberts eco4 with a power problem, it doesnt turn on with the mains but it does with the batteries, but no sound whatsoever, even with headphones, if I send you the radio to the shop would you be able to have a play on it? Thank you
Although I usually shy away from DAB radios, I've worked on the Roberts Ecologics 4's previously. There is a known fault with the power switches, but I have never found a direct drop in replacement switch. Roberts themselves no longer repair this model, and do not carry spares. The last one I had with what sounds like the same fault, I modified , (took the switch out of circuit), but the radio could be turned on / off with an inline power switch. Not pretty, but a workaround. Further, the fault with no sound could mean the audio chip (IC) has blown, and may also need replaced. Worst case scenario - even after sending it in, there is no guaranteed fix, and it may remain as-currently-is. Rather than bin it, of course you can send it in, and I'll do my utmost, but as I say, no guarantee on success. My email is on my 'about me' page / tab, viewable sadly only from a PC it seems.
RU-vid just deleted two comments on me in wich I left my email adress for you to send me a test email, on your about me page on my laptop doesnt show anything, any other way in wich I could contact you please? Thank you
