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Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
Hello... I am hoping fellow owners of the Sat 500 might point me in the right direction. I have inherited a Grundig Satellit 500 in excellent cosmetic condition. It has been used regularly up 2 weeks ago. I had it my possession for a day, and it worked flawlessly.
However, it now has developed a problem. After a few seconds of normal reception and audio, whatever station I am listening to disappears completely - all I hear is white noise, as if there were no station on that frequency whatsoever. All bands are like this... I cannot tune any station on FM, MW, LW, or SW. It's as if there were no stations whatsoever. All the other dials and buttons operate normally in this condition... it's just that there are no stations. If I then turn the unit off for a short while, 10 minutes or so, the last tuned station returns for 2 or 3 seconds, then vanishes. If I leave the receiver turned off for 6 or more hours, the station will come back and play for 1 minute, but no more, and then all of the bands are dead again. Is this a problem anyone has heard of? It is very frustrating to deal with as I was excited to finally have a Grundig receiver in my possession. ] If anyone has any tips or tricks, please let me know! They would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance, OnkyoMan |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 3/17/2011 2:23 AM, OnkyoMan wrote:
Hello... I am hoping fellow owners of the Sat 500 might point me in the right direction. I have inherited a Grundig Satellit 500 in excellent cosmetic condition. It has been used regularly up 2 weeks ago. I had it my possession for a day, and it worked flawlessly. However, it now has developed a problem. After a few seconds of normal reception and audio, whatever station I am listening to disappears completely - all I hear is white noise, as if there were no station on that frequency whatsoever. All bands are like this... I cannot tune any station on FM, MW, LW, or SW. It's as if there were no stations whatsoever. All the other dials and buttons operate normally in this condition... it's just that there are no stations. If I then turn the unit off for a short while, 10 minutes or so, the last tuned station returns for 2 or 3 seconds, then vanishes. If I leave the receiver turned off for 6 or more hours, the station will come back and play for 1 minute, but no more, and then all of the bands are dead again. Is this a problem anyone has heard of? It is very frustrating to deal with as I was excited to finally have a Grundig receiver in my possession. ] If anyone has any tips or tricks, please let me know! They would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance, OnkyoMan It's likely that this is a thermal condition -- a component is malfunctioning once it warms up. If you're comfortable doing component-level repairs on what are probably very small parts, you could operate the radio with its circuitry exposed until the failure occurs, then carefully apply freeze spray (available under various brand names from many electronics suppliers) to components until you find the one that restores functionality when sprayed. Then replace it. (If the component is being stressed and overheated by a second defective part, you'll have to find and replace the culprit too.) It's also possible that this is a known failure mode for that model, and someone here can tell you exactly what to do. Failing that, search engines might reveal other owners who have had the same problem. Of course, moving to a very cold place like Antarctica and using the receiver outdoors might make repairs unnecessary. With all good wishes, Kevin, WB4AIO. -- http://nationalvanguard.org/ http://kevinalfredstrom.com/ |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
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comes back! "OnkyoMan" wrote in message ... Hello... I am hoping fellow owners of the Sat 500 might point me in the right direction. I have inherited a Grundig Satellit 500 in excellent cosmetic condition. It has been used regularly up 2 weeks ago. I had it my possession for a day, and it worked flawlessly. However, it now has developed a problem. After a few seconds of normal reception and audio, whatever station I am listening to disappears completely - all I hear is white noise, as if there were no station on that frequency whatsoever. All bands are like this... I cannot tune any station on FM, MW, LW, or SW. It's as if there were no stations whatsoever. All the other dials and buttons operate normally in this condition... it's just that there are no stations. If I then turn the unit off for a short while, 10 minutes or so, the last tuned station returns for 2 or 3 seconds, then vanishes. If I leave the receiver turned off for 6 or more hours, the station will come back and play for 1 minute, but no more, and then all of the bands are dead again. Is this a problem anyone has heard of? It is very frustrating to deal with as I was excited to finally have a Grundig receiver in my possession. ] If anyone has any tips or tricks, please let me know! They would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance, OnkyoMan -- OnkyoMan __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5963 (20110317) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5964 (20110317) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 03/18/2011 08:48 PM, OnkyoMan wrote:
However, it now has developed a problem. After a few seconds of normal reception and audio, whatever station I am listening to disappears completely - all I hear is white noise, as if there were no station on that frequency whatsoever. All bands are like this... I cannot tune any station on FM, MW, LW, or SW. It's as if there were no stations whatsoever. All the other dials and buttons operate normally in this condition... it's just that there are no stations. If I then turn the unit off for a short while, 10 minutes or so, the last tuned station returns for 2 or 3 seconds, then vanishes. If I leave the receiver turned off for 6 or more hours, the station will come back and play for 1 minute, but no more, and then all of the bands are dead again. Is this a problem anyone has heard of? It is very frustrating to deal with as I was excited to finally have a Grundig receiver in my possession. ] Sounds like a bad component. Do you have any freeze spray? |
Hi Art... thanks for your interest... Here are my responses to your questions:
Q : 1) Does the display show anything when it starts acting up ? The display behaves normally during this problem.. I can change frequencies, bands, and other options. The volume and everything else works as well. It's only white noise that comes up... the station (and all stations) are gone. 2) Did you try using an external p/s and/or good batteries, and if so do you get same response ? I have tried new akaline, and fully charged NiMH batteries.. several sets. They don't make a difference. 3) Before taking it apart have you tried cooling the whole radio by putting it in a fridge (not the freezer ) for a little while and see if the problem goes away (temporarily)? No! I haven't tried that yet, but I will give it a shot today and see what happens! I'll report back here. |
Yesterday, I left the radio out in my 40F degree garage for about 9 hours, then turned it on, while I was out there with it.
No difference in radio behavior... FM came in strong for 2 mins, then disappeared. AM was completely dead. Do you still think it could be thermal related? |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 21, 12:06*am, OnkyoMan
wrote: Yesterday, I left the radio out in my 40F degree garage for about 9 hours, then turned it on, while I was out there with it. No difference in radio behavior... FM came in strong for 2 mins, then disappeared. *AM was completely dead. Do you still think it could be thermal related? -- OnkyoMan It is too early tell . Have you tried using an External p/s and notice any difference ? While powering it up can you measure the current and notice if it is same as when it goes into the non-fuctional condition ? Also , by tapping on the cabinet , is there an intermittant connection somewhere ? |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 03/20/2011 09:06 PM, OnkyoMan wrote:
Yesterday, I left the radio out in my 40F degree garage for about 9 hours, then turned it on, while I was out there with it. No difference in radio behavior... FM came in strong for 2 mins, then disappeared. AM was completely dead. Do you still think it could be thermal related? I don't think you can find a fault that way. A cold solder joint or a faulty component would be very localized. The current flows through some abnormally high resistance and heats that area enough to deform it relative to surrounding areas. If you freeze the whole thing, nothing changes. |
I've gotten some advice that it might be a trimmer capacitor which has been known to go bad on these radios. Does that make sense as a possibility to any of you?
Can you recommend a good source these capacitors? Thanks, Matt |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 3/21/2011 2:43 PM, OnkyoMan wrote:
I've gotten some advice that it might be a trimmer capacitor which has been known to go bad on these radios. Does that make sense as a possibility to any of you? [...] Probably not, because a trimmer would be unlikely to be in both the FM and shortwave sections since they probably use totally separate RF and IF amplifiers. Whatever the cause is, it is in a section that is common to all bands. Of course, carefully changing out a trimmer capacitor shouldn't _hurt_ anything as long as you have the ability to readjust it properly once installed. Also, there may be message threads somewhere out there in cyberspace that describe the symptoms caused by that particular trimmer. Best of luck, Kevin, WB4AIO. -- http://nationalvanguard.org/ http://kevinalfredstrom.com/ |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 21, 9:57*am, dave wrote:
On 03/20/2011 09:06 PM, OnkyoMan wrote: Yesterday, I left the radio out in my 40F degree garage for about 9 hours, then turned it on, while I was out there with it. No difference in radio behavior... FM came in strong for 2 mins, then disappeared. *AM was completely dead. Do you still think it could be thermal related? I don't think you can find a fault that way. A cold solder joint or a faulty component would be very localized. The current flows through some abnormally high resistance and heats that area enough to deform it relative to surrounding areas. If you freeze the whole thing, nothing changes. The original symptom was stated as : A) works for a few seconds B) reception turns to Noise (and no audio) on all bands . When left in a cold garage at 40* for 9 hours FM started to work for Whole Two minutes ! Thermal as thermal can be . |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 22, 6:46*am, Bob Dobbs wrote:
wrote: On Mar 21, 9:57 am, dave wrote: On 03/20/2011 09:06 PM, OnkyoMan wrote: Yesterday, I left the radio out in my 40F degree garage for about 9 hours, then turned it on, while I was out there with it. No difference in radio behavior... FM came in strong for 2 mins, then disappeared. AM was completely dead. Do you still think it could be thermal related? I don't think you can find a fault that way. A cold solder joint or a faulty component would be very localized. The current flows through some abnormally high resistance and heats that area enough to deform it relative to surrounding areas. If you freeze the whole thing, nothing changes. The original symptom was stated as : A) works for a few seconds *B) reception turns to Noise (and no audio) on all bands . When left in a cold garage at 40* for 9 hours FM started to work for Whole Two minutes ! *Thermal as thermal can be . Can you scan the board with one of those hand held IR thermometers to look for hot spots? I've got a Fluke 62 that was inexpensive and gives accurate no-touch readings.http://bit.ly/f8vdQe -- http://bit.ly/g2PCII- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - If the trouble is 'thermal' it may just cause an open/erratic operation . There is really not much there to get warm/hot , except a voltage regulator or an audio output device . |
Thank you for your suggestions!
It is starting to look a bit more like the problem might be centered the trimmer capacitor. One user told me to simply rotate that capacitor a bit, and now the radio works perfectly on FM. SW and MW are still completely dead though... the volume only amplifies the white noise. Now I'm trying to ID a good source for trimmer capacitors. If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know! I'd like to find a high quality replacement, if possible. Thanks, Matt |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 3/22/11 15:22 , OnkyoMan wrote:
Thank you for your suggestions! It is starting to look a bit more like the problem might be centered the trimmer capacitor. One user told me to simply rotate that capacitor a bit, and now the radio works perfectly on FM. SW and MW are still completely dead though... the volume only amplifies the white noise. Check the antenna select switch, and the DX/Local switch. It sounds like you have some oxidation in your unit. These switches, if oxidized, will produce the very symptoms you describe, especially true if FM is now working. Throw these switches several times. Move the toggle in a circle until you get some change in the noise. I experience this regularly with my own Sat 500. Now I'm trying to ID a good source for trimmer capacitors. If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know! I'd like to find a high quality replacement, if possible. IF it's working, you may not need one. It sounds like you have oxidation on the rotor contact, which is preventing this trimmer from completing it's circuit configuration. Now that you have it working, move the rotor back and forth a few times, it will be fine for quite a while. Thanks, Matt |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 22, 4:14*pm, "D. Peter Maus" wrote:
* *Check the antenna select switch, and the DX/Local switch. It sounds like you have some oxidation in your unit. These switches, if oxidized, will produce the very symptoms you describe, especially true if FM is now working. * *Throw these switches several times. Move the toggle in a circle until you get some change in the noise. * *I experience this regularly with my own Sat 500. Could you get the same results with a squirt of cleaner in the switch innards? |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On 3/22/11 23:18 , bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 22, 4:14 pm, "D. Peter wrote: Check the antenna select switch, and the DX/Local switch. It sounds like you have some oxidation in your unit. These switches, if oxidized, will produce the very symptoms you describe, especially true if FM is now working. Throw these switches several times. Move the toggle in a circle until you get some change in the noise. I experience this regularly with my own Sat 500. Could you get the same results with a squirt of cleaner in the switch innards? You could. Wearing through the oxide is a better solution for serveral reasons. Cleaners tend to dissolve, or at least soften, existing lubricants within the switch, which can cause them to migrate into contact areas, attracting dirt, rehardening into films that interfere with contact. Or worse, creating corrosive elements by chemical actions between the cleaner, the lubricants, and some airborne crap. Which necessitates more frequent cleaning of the switch. Eventually, replacement is required. Cleaning may produce a result, but it often comes at a cost of shorter switch life. |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 23, 5:03*am, "D. Peter Maus" wrote:
On 3/22/11 23:18 , bpnjensen wrote: On Mar 22, 4:14 pm, "D. Peter *wrote: * * Check the antenna select switch, and the DX/Local switch. It sounds like you have some oxidation in your unit. These switches, if oxidized, will produce the very symptoms you describe, especially true if FM is now working. * * Throw these switches several times. Move the toggle in a circle until you get some change in the noise. * * I experience this regularly with my own Sat500. Could you get the same results with a squirt of cleaner in the switch innards? * *You could. Wearing through the oxide is a better solution for serveral reasons. Cleaners tend to dissolve, or at least soften, existing lubricants within the switch, which can cause them to migrate into contact areas, attracting dirt, rehardening into films that interfere with contact. Or worse, creating corrosive elements by chemical actions between the cleaner, the lubricants, and some airborne crap. Which necessitates more frequent cleaning of the switch. Eventually, replacement is required. * *Cleaning may produce a result, but it often comes at a cost of shorter switch life. Real switches have gold plating in the contacts . For real . |
Grundig Satellit 500 - Help needed
On Mar 24, 8:47*am, "D. Peter Maus" wrote:
On 3/24/11 24:29 , wrote: On Mar 23, 5:03 am, "D. Peter *wrote: On 3/22/11 23:18 , bpnjensen wrote: On Mar 22, 4:14 pm, "D. Peter * *wrote: * * *Check the antenna select switch, and the DX/Local switch. It sounds like you have some oxidation in your unit. These switches, if oxidized, will produce the very symptoms you describe, especially true if FM is now working. * * *Throw these switches several times. Move the toggle in a circle until you get some change in the noise. * * *I experience this regularly with my own Sat500. Could you get the same results with a squirt of cleaner in the switch innards? * * You could. Wearing through the oxide is a better solution for serveral reasons. Cleaners tend to dissolve, or at least soften, existing lubricants within the switch, which can cause them to migrate into contact areas, attracting dirt, rehardening into films that interfere with contact. Or worse, creating corrosive elements by chemical actions between the cleaner, the lubricants, and some airborne crap. Which necessitates more frequent cleaning of the switch. Eventually, replacement is required. * * Cleaning may produce a result, but it often comes at a cost of shorter switch life. Real switches have gold plating in the contacts . For real . * *Indeed they do. * *And when those get noisy, it's because the base metal substrate has migrated through the gold and oxidized. In which case replacement is the only option. * *At one station I worked, we bought a Harrison Pro 790 console for the production studio. Tremendous console. But they cheaped out on the switches. * *I had to replace them all. Hundreds. They provided them for us. And they were better switches than had been installed. But WHAT a PITA.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - C'est la vie . |
Thanks again for the help guys... it turned out to be that trimmer capacitor - C138. When I had opened the radio up, I had unintentionally flipped the AGC switch on, setting it to its minimum setting. That is what killed AM when I put everything back together!
Do you think this will it be a permanent fix, or does this mean the capacitor is on its way out? Quote:
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