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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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6th Aug 2022, 2:50 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
At a house clearance I picked up a Roberts RCS80 that looks almost factory fresh. Sadly the disuse meant that the ancient metal Ever Ready batteries had gone to town in the battery tray. Well I got that all sorted by taking out all metal parts and deep cleaning and washing the plastic. The radio fired up straight away and sound quality is excellent. Really well balanced.
But the set does have a small issue. That of two of the LCD segments being triggered erroneously. The bottom part of one digit and the kHz symbol when listening to FM. Usually this is caused by some contamination on the LCD drive pins. But before I start pulling it all apart does anyone know how easy it is to access the LCD? I don't want to mess up a working radio for a trifle but on the other hand the set is so clean I'd ideally like to get it 100%. I really like 80's design. Crisp and functional so I'm pleased to get one. Thanks for any help. Ian |
9th Aug 2022, 11:39 pm | #2 |
Heptode
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Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Well Iam giving it a go. It was very fiddly to get apart but made it in the end. I get the feeling that this mysterious fluff is slightly conductive. I'm going to clean it all up anyway. No obvious spills or dried fluid splash.
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10th Aug 2022, 9:20 am | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Yorkshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Some of those strands look like Tin Whiskers. Is the "Fluff" all over the set or just on the row of connection at the side of the LCD?
John.
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10th Aug 2022, 9:56 am | #4 | |
Heptode
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Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Quote:
I will fire it up later, see if we have cleared the issue. I feel that it is 'bedroom fluff' from the look of it but of course can't be sure. The actual radio had no real visible dust at all on it. At the same time I may address the slightly unresponsive preset No.3 button. |
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10th Aug 2022, 10:42 pm | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
I'm pleased to say it's now fixed. Not the unusual dust but a tiny spot of battery acid dried residue shorting out some pins under the pcb. It looked like flux residue but it wasn't. So all fixed and I'm pleased.
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10th Aug 2022, 11:09 pm | #6 |
Moderator
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Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Good news Ian. Corroded batteries can cause all sorts of grief.
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27th Sep 2022, 10:23 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Quick update after a month or so of use. It does chew through batteries somewhat, and I tested the drain on the batteries when off - its 0.5 mA. I know it powers the clock and memory etc, so is never truly 'off' but does this sound typical?
Also. if anyone knows if the schematic is available a pointer where would be really appreciated. |
28th Sep 2022, 1:02 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,259
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
The full manual is in the files at the Roberts group -
https://groups.io/g/robertsradiogroup which should be easy to join and comes without obligations. It's in the form of eight .jpg files, we made .pdfs of many Hacker and Roberts manuals years ago but clearly I missed doing this one. Paul |
28th Sep 2022, 9:56 am | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
It depends on what type of batteries it uses. But 0.5mA idle current when switched off for this type of radio sounds quite reasonable. I would make sure you use good quality high powered batteries if you cannot run it off the mains.
Good news that you found the fault and a very worthwhile repair.
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28th Sep 2022, 11:17 am | #10 |
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
It will obviously help battery life if you can keep it hooked up to the mains when not in use.
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3rd Oct 2022, 10:17 pm | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Thanks for the input - always appreciated. Good to know that is a reasonable current, I may just use mains as suggested.
I will download a circuit diagram though (thanks for the link) to look at what is running at all times and if I find a fault I will of course update. May be another spot of battery gunge somewhere! |
6th Oct 2022, 10:32 am | #12 |
Pentode
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Near Coventry, West Midlands, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
I too have just repaired one of these radio's,and impressive they are indeed.
Mine had suffered several faulty "tact" keyboard switches,but replacements are still available! I checked the consumption of my set in "stand-by",ie just clock functioning,and it's 4.5mA. With set functioning fully,the consumption is 100mA,increasing of course with volume setting. Very nicely made electronics,obviously of far eastern origin. A great performer,with typical nice Roberts sound quality. I am particularly impressed with the a.m. performance,the mw sensitivity is very good. Nick |
6th Oct 2022, 10:16 pm | #13 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Quote:
Just I have it open and nothing visible is amiss. Don’t want to start fault finding if there is no fault! |
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7th Oct 2022, 10:36 am | #14 |
Pentode
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Near Coventry, West Midlands, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Yes,that test was with batteries.
There is some impressive circuitry in there.The clock and memories are backed up,but there is no sign of a back up battery. I was puzzled by the fact that when you switch off,without batteries inserted,or mains connected,the clock still run's! It must a capacitive back up system,as I spotted a large electrolytic cap in there an addition to the power supply resevoir.There may be some back up integral to the Toshiba upc too?Your service info should prove to be a good read? Again,good design overall? Nick |
7th Oct 2022, 10:05 pm | #15 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Quote:
Thank you Nick for confirming. I've just reassembled the set. And I absolutely agree, it's got some excellent internals. The speaker is above what I expected to see, made in Thailand but with a hefty shielded magnet. The clock keeps excellent time, noting the hefty internal capacitors. All in all I'm delighted. I first saw this set in Roberts own book about the company. It was a new release, but I never saw one in the flesh until I found this one. Thanks again and hope you enjoy using your set too. |
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7th Oct 2022, 11:30 pm | #16 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Just sharing a picture. Nice design
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10th Oct 2022, 5:40 pm | #17 |
Heptode
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Stockport, Cheshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Great looking radio.
l've got a Hacker Herald in the garage which is a similar design, and it's a lovely set. No AC though. |
14th Oct 2022, 9:34 pm | #18 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Re: Almost unused Roberts RCS80 portable
Out of interest I tried it on mains. It really did transform the sound, much more powerful. The service manual states 4 Watts of audio vs 1.5 Watts when using batteries. So if you own one of these sets, do try mains if you can.
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