The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench Radio install and settings

There is something else you might want to try. Try the tone switch in all three positions and also wiggling it a bit. Also try pulling out a little on the volume control. You may have a problem in the control.

So do things just get better overnight? The radio this morning tunes in to stations much more readily, and I have no idea why, but the loud tap-induced static has disappeared. I haven't changed anything yet, it just seems to work better. I don't think the dial light flickers, in fact I can't detect a light at all, although it was clearly working on bench test. Maybe it's just the lighting here. Tapping, movement in the steering wheel etc. seems to have no affect now on the radio, even tapping on the speaker screen now does not create any of the crazy instant static it did last night, none. Having said that Truckernix, here is a clear problem that you referred me to. It is more pronounced now than it was last night when there was so much other noise: the volume control.

The volume control is erratic, volume jumps up and down and produces static when turning the knob. While it does settle out at some point,it does produce scratchy, not loud, but scratchy noise when moving. Pulling it out like you suggested does not seem to have any effect, it moves very little in and outward, almost imperceptible. Switching the tone switch to the left of center produces a very mellow lower volume, and pleasant tone, a little noise but ok for listening. Switching back to the center is a noise fest, accompanied by annoying tinny tone.Third position more mellow, but noisier than far left. I haven't removed the radio from the truck yet, it sounds so much better today I'm a bit reluctant, but not totally out of the idea.

So, does this sound like the kind of problem that can be remedied like with a replacement part, or is something like that even available? Any recommendations would be appreciated - be nice if it worked right.

Thanks for all the help and analysis so far Truckernix and Stan, and many thanks also to klhansen for his earlier most clear explanation on the functions of the two ammeter posts, Cleared it right up for me.

*** Now, for a short small response to the electric wiper conversion kit from Classic Parts. I have a lot to say about how it fits, problems it causes, installation and adjustment difficulties, but nothing as far as the radio is concerned except for the near impossible, done only with great difficulty, insertion of the antenna into the radio, after the radio has been installed. Little to almost no tolerance! I have a lot more on this model to share with anyone considering this conversion but it may be a better fit on the broader electrical forum? If I could send this one back, I would, I found what appears to be another vendor model (New Port Engineering) that seems more thoughtful and at least a little more forgiving in this cramped environment. It was mentioned in a previous thread many years ago by other Bolters and I have followed up on it with NP Engineering since installing this one. IMHO it is well worth reviving this topic, not here and now but somewhat later with more detail for anyone who might be considering a conversion to electric in the future, and to flesh out any more of the previous experiences Bolters may have had with this conversion, pro and con. Thanks again to all of you,

Dale

I bought my electric wiper conversion kit from a fellow on eBay. Last time I looked he was still selling them. Installation was a breeze with one exception: I had to bend one of the wiper motor support pieces to make the holes/screws line up. No big deal at all. I think I paid $120 which included shipping.

It sounds like the volume control is dirty and maybe worn. You can take a spray can of electrical contact cleaner and point the straw along the shaft between the outside sleeve and the inner control. A quick shot should do it.

So is this a restored radio? Has it been converted to 12 volts? Have you looked inside to see if the capacitors have been replaced?

I can try the cleaner first and see if that makes any difference. I sprayed it and the spray helped, much steadier on the volume control, no noise. Good call.

The radio has been worked on at some point probably many years ago but I don't know who or when. Came with the truck, in a box. PO passed on before he got to install it. Capacitors have been replaced, but again I don't know if it has been converted but my truck is 6 volt. I have pictures will try to post.

Oh I see that the capacitors have been replaced. That is good!

I didn’t know that they sold 6 volt electric wipers, hence my question.

Yes they do make a 6 volt version. The other co. I mentioned makes them only in 12 volt,but they also sell the 12 to 6 inverter for 6 volters like me.

But hey, one more radio question, sticky selector buttons, I have a middle one that wants to stay in after being pushed in. Push another button and it pops out. Any quick cures?. The electric cleaner I use warns against using with plastic,so I tried a little white grease under the key when it was pulled out, still sticks. Minor, but annoying.

Dale

That is a problem that you would need access to the mechanism to fix. There are a number of places that can cause it to hang up. I would try pushing that button and then other back and forth a few times to see if it can be corrected. The cleaner spray could affect the plastic. With all the alcohol based sanitizers being used these days, you want to keep that away from plastics too.

Fred

Thanks Fred - kinda what I thought - if it gets too annoying or doesn’t resolve by what you suggested, I’m not above removing to fix internally at some point / just bugs me - like anything that doesn’t work right, know what I mean?

Dale