Deccasound Compact 3 restoration - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Simon27 · 11th Oct 2021, 4:59 pm

Hi

Very new to this world, I have acquired a Deccasound Compact 3 which looks in excellent condition, but not working in that the deck is stuck and there does not appear to be any output to the speakers. Though after looking inside speaker boxes the speakers have deteriorated .

There is power to the deck and one of the lights on the radio display is lit.

I would like to treat this as a personal challenge to get working again, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Where do I get display bulbs(there tiny) and fuses etc....?

in anticipation

Regards Simon

Cobaltblue · 12th Dec 2021, 1:25 pm

This has now been moved to the correct section

Cheers

Mike T

PaulR · 12th Dec 2021, 3:05 pm

Hello Simon and welcome to the forum.

I think that the first thing to do is to ascertain just how much of it is working.

You say that the speakers have deteriorated. Can you elaborate on that? The suspension of some speakers deteriorates with age but I doubt that yours are of that type. Can you supply photos of the deterioration?

The record deck is probably gummed up with solidified grease. This will need to be cleaned off and new lubrication applied. There are various threads about this, but this might start you off https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=36009 Obviously make sure the unit is unplugged before delving!

Concern yourself with bulbs once it is working!

John10b · 12th Dec 2021, 5:05 pm

Hi Simon welcome.
Further to the advice you have already been given by PaulR, please tell us if the Radio section is working.
I don’t have the circuit for this Radiogram (RG), but I did a search and it seems to be a Transistorised RG, and rather difficult to work on. If possible take pictures and let’s have a look. You could also look in the Search section of this forum, there has been a lot of correspondence relating to this RG.
John

Edward Huggins · 12th Dec 2021, 6:34 pm

The BSR C series deck in this should be an easy fix with the Link already provided. The original speakers were always the weak link in this unit as they are so very small. If these do need new replacement drive units, you night find it as cheap to buy a better pair of used, larger speakers which will greatly transform the overall sound of this. We can advise as to this.

Robint 47 · 13th Dec 2021, 3:00 pm

Compact is a generic term used by Decca to define and give correct advice the actual model no (on a plate on the rear of the unit begins AT or DS followed by a 4 figure number beginning with a 5 must be given . I have posted breakdowns of these models on previous posts.

Regards Robin

11th Oct 2021, 4:59 pm	#1
Simon27 Diode Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1	Deccasound Compact 3 restoration Hi Very new to this world, I have acquired a Deccasound Compact 3 which looks in excellent condition, but not working in that the deck is stuck and there does not appear to be any output to the speakers. Though after looking inside speaker boxes the speakers have deteriorated . There is power to the deck and one of the lights on the radio display is lit. I would like to treat this as a personal challenge to get working again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Where do I get display bulbs(there tiny) and fuses etc....? in anticipation Regards Simon

12th Dec 2021, 1:25 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,864	Re: Deccasound Compact 3 restoration This has now been moved to the correct section Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

12th Dec 2021, 3:05 pm	#3
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Re: Deccasound Compact 3 restoration Hello Simon and welcome to the forum. I think that the first thing to do is to ascertain just how much of it is working. You say that the speakers have deteriorated. Can you elaborate on that? The suspension of some speakers deteriorates with age but I doubt that yours are of that type. Can you supply photos of the deterioration? The record deck is probably gummed up with solidified grease. This will need to be cleaned off and new lubrication applied. There are various threads about this, but this might start you off https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=36009 Obviously make sure the unit is unplugged before delving! Concern yourself with bulbs once it is working! __________________ Paul

12th Dec 2021, 5:05 pm	#4
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,883	Re: Deccasound Compact 3 restoration Hi Simon welcome. Further to the advice you have already been given by PaulR, please tell us if the Radio section is working. I don’t have the circuit for this Radiogram (RG), but I did a search and it seems to be a Transistorised RG, and rather difficult to work on. If possible take pictures and let’s have a look. You could also look in the Search section of this forum, there has been a lot of correspondence relating to this RG. John

12th Dec 2021, 6:34 pm	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Deccasound Compact 3 restoration The BSR C series deck in this should be an easy fix with the Link already provided. The original speakers were always the weak link in this unit as they are so very small. If these do need new replacement drive units, you night find it as cheap to buy a better pair of used, larger speakers which will greatly transform the overall sound of this. We can advise as to this. __________________ Edward.

13th Dec 2021, 3:00 pm	#6
Robint 47 Tetrode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 51	Re: Deccasound Compact 3 restoration Compact is a generic term used by Decca to define and give correct advice the actual model no (on a plate on the rear of the unit begins AT or DS followed by a 4 figure number beginning with a 5 must be given . I have posted breakdowns of these models on previous posts. Regards Robin