Panasonic RE-6600 alarm/sleep timer

[retrotimes]

Hi there! I just recently bought this unit, and I love it. I am having a couple problems with it though. The alarm function wakes to music, but the straight alarm doesn’t put out any sound. Also, the sleep timer doesn’t work. Does anyone have any troubleshooting ideas? Here are some pics of this unit as found...absolutely no dust bunnies! I don’t think it’s ever been opened until I put a screwdriver in my hand

[Mackey]

Thanks for the post and the pictures! Never seen one of these.

Sounds like a failure of one or more “Omron” microswitches.

Anyway, you should notice that turning of the sleep knob causes a Omron button to either be depressed or undepressed (unpushed?). Start with testing that switch.

If you need help understanding how these switches work I made a video that has some information about them. Of course.... I think you should watch the entire masterpiece, but the info you need starts at 7 mins into the video.

https://www.flipclockfans.com/forum/...orks#post10367

once you figure how the switch is set up and supposed to be operating, then you can use a continuity tester to seeing the switch is functioning properly.

Actually the following video shows me testing a switch. You probably don’t need to see the video above.

https://www.flipclockfans.com/forum/...epair#post7854

Let me know how it goes

[retrotimes]

I’ll run these tests today, and thank you very much!

[Guest]

Old spares should be plentiful...I have tons of them if you need one. Also, they do still make very close copies of them:

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/307/en-d3v-01-595238.pdf

[Mackey]

Thanks for the link!

[retrotimes]

So I ran a few troubleshooting tests as recommended, and I’m even more confused as to what the problem(s) could be.

1) the two alarm switches appear to be operating properly using a multimeter with compressing and de-compressing the switch ‘buttons’.
2) the alarm still wakes to music, and continues to not produce the bird chirp sound.
3) the sleep to music function/switch is weird when the wires are connected. When de-compressed, the multimeter sounds at both the nc com and no com connectors. When compressed to the “on” position, it operates properly with the multimeter only putting out sound at the no com connectors. So I removed the two wires from the switch in order to replace it with a ‘functioning’ one, and I found something interesting: the original switch, when disconnected from the wires, operates correctly with the multimeter. I went ahead and replaced the switch with a ‘working’ one only to find myself having the same problem as before. No sleep to music sound, and no bird chirp.
4) I’ve checked to make sure all the wiring is connected, and the springs seem to be functioning properly. It appears to be a clean unit in that I don’t see any evidence of past repairs.
5) one interesting note: even though the sleep to music isn’t functioning, I noticed when the switch is compressed to the on position the radio lights come on.

Apologies if I’ve been long-winded.... Any help would be met with much gratitude

[Mackey]

This may be a hard one to figure out. It’s possible there is a short circuit somewhere. You might look at the circuit board traces to see if there’s some extra soldier somewhere.

[retrotimes]

Will do...thanks!

[Guest]

The chirp tone and speed is controlled by a trimmer potentiometer (variable resistor) and sometimes those can go "open", meaning they stop channeling the signal. Other times they get dirty and carbon-fouled with the same result as they are not in a protective case. I have attached a pic of one from the RC-6551 so you can see if there is a similar one on the RE-6600 board. I have not worked on a 6600 so not sure if it has the same trimmer pot. Also, if you do have one and adjust it, make sure to move it back to where it was to maintain the original setting. It isn't super critical as it just speeds up or slows down the chirp, but if it is faulty it will stop the chirp from working for the alarm. Upstream of it is a series of resistors and a few capacitors, but it is ultimately driven off of the IC chip.

It doesn't explain the other issue you have with the alarm, but something to keep in mind down the road.

[retrotimes]

Much appreciated! I’ll check it out!

[Mackey]

The chirp tone and speed is controlled by a trimmer potentiometer (variable resistor) and sometimes those can go "open", meaning they stop channeling the signal.

Interesting stuff Guest

I'm wondering retrotimes if maybe you need to look at the selector switch that chooses between alarming to radio or chirp. Set the clock off to alarm then manipulate this switch back and forth. Just a thought.

[retrotimes]

I’ll do that today...thanks!

[Guest]

I'm wondering retrotimes if maybe you need to look at the selector switch that chooses between alarming to radio or chirp. Set the clock off to alarm then manipulate this switch back and forth. Just a thought.

That's a good thing to check, as well. Good thinking.

[retrotimes]

Well I’ve decided to put this project to rest for the time being...

I deep cleaned the cabinet/knobs, and she looks great! I’m posting a handful of pics in an attempt to show its beauty. Note the eject button’s name/label, and the features such as “mic” and “phono”. The side knobs have a brushed aluminum trim, and the clock light is the same that’s in the RC-7469. The two radio lights are fuse/tube lamps. Thanks to everybody for your help and advice...I’m sure I’ll be back on this post for further assistance! Have a great day.

Sandra

[RetroFlip]

Cleaned up really well, thanks for sharing!

[Guest]

Good work. Looks slick. These are exceedingly rare models so it is nice to see one restored.