Panasonic RC6015 not giving any sound at all

[flipoclock]

Someone sent me a Panasonic RC6015 to look at (it is VERY rough) and I just got it in and am making a list of what is not working / needs repair. I told them beforehand that I am not very skilled with radios, but they were still happy to send it to me.

The RC6015 has a selector on top to select radio, alarm-buzzer and alarm-radio, however, whichever setting you select with this switch, nothing appears to be happening. Could there anything obvious be wrong? Even if the radio is dead in some kind of way, the alarm should still be able to 'buzz', correct? I have no manual for this clock so am not 100% sure what it can and cannot do.

[RetroFlip]

https://www.flipclockfans.com/forum/forum/clock-show-and-tell/brochures-manuals-and-other-ephemera/16853-rc-6015-operating-instructions

Mackey shared the Operating Instructions for this model, I believe I have some documentation, but likely is just another copy of the instructions.

[flipoclock]

I missed that, thanks, that will help determine what is and what is not working!

[flipoclock]

Ok, so I checked that and it kind of confirms that the switch for the radio/alarm/buzzer/off is not giving this machine any life, in none of the presets does it do anything, it is only the clock and the light that appear to work.

Anyone any thoughts on what I could check to tackle this? The owner thought it might be the speaker, but doubt that for the buzzer/alarm has nothing to do with the speaker as far as I know.

[Guest]

Well, the radio signal quite often goes directly through the AM/FM toggle switch on these little radios. Try cleaning that if not already.

When you turn the radio on do you hear an initial small click or any background noise/hiss telling us that power is getting into the speaker?

If the speaker is suspected dead, and yes that can happen, try checking the ohm spec for the speaker. Remove the speaker connections at the speaker itself and put a multimeter, in ohm check mode, across the terminals. It should read 8 ohms (or near that), typically, but the ohm rating may be printed on the speaker cage somewhere. If it reads "0" or infinite ohms on your meter...then the speaker is "open" or dead.

The alarm is fed back directly through the speaker on these, as an electronic buzzing noise.

Another thing to check is the actual AM/FM toggle mechanism, which is soldered directly to the board. I have seen the solder weaken and make intermittent contact on these. Wiggle it side to side with the radio on to see if anything happens.

[Mackey]

It could be the selector switch itself. It’s a rudimentary switching system under that plastic shell.

[flipoclock]

Thanks, I lifted that up a bit, it is indeed a very rudimentary switch which basically moves a small metal plate around as to make contact with the 'circuit board'. It seems there could not be much that could break in that part?

I already suggested to the man to opt for a 2nd clock for parts for the entire front has broken out of the clock, all the supports that hold it in place (all 6) are gone , not even sure how to start to repair that, let alone the time it would cost me.

[flipoclock]

Well, the radio signal quite often goes directly through the AM/FM toggle switch on these little radios. Try cleaning that if not already.

When you turn the radio on do you hear an initial small click or any background noise/hiss telling us that power is getting into the speaker?

If the speaker is suspected dead, and yes that can happen, try checking the ohm spec for the speaker. Remove the speaker connections at the speaker itself and put a multimeter, in ohm check mode, across the terminals. It should read 8 ohms (or near that), typically, but the ohm rating may be printed on the speaker cage somewhere. If it reads "0" or infinite ohms on your meter...then the speaker is "open" or dead.

The alarm is fed back directly through the speaker on these, as an electronic buzzing noise.

Another thing to check is the actual AM/FM toggle mechanism, which is soldered directly to the board. I have seen the solder weaken and make intermittent contact on these. Wiggle it side to side with the radio on to see if anything happens.

Thanks so much, this is the first time I am seeing one of these in real life so this is of much help! The AM/FM switch has been thoroughly cleaned but that did not change anything.

The speaker says 32 ohms on the back, seems like a lot? However, I did measure it and I get 29 ohms with my multimeter so that implies it is good?

UPDATE, I suspect that having cleaned the AM/FM switch yesterday already and giving it some time to 'soak', might have helped. The radio now seems to be working again, however with very little reception. I know that I am in an area that gets very little reception without the help of an external antenna, but I always manage to receive something, but this is only static with the occasional hiccup where you expect a channel to kick in, but it's a false alarm

[lololimmk]

Actually, I'd like to chime in and say that quite a while ago I bought a RC-6015 that said the radio was "not working" I assumed it was just the switch and it would be all scratchy but when I got it I had the same issue (No sound at all) in the end I ended up returning it since the radio was in worse condition then I expected and I over paid considering the condition it was in (My fault for assuming)

Good to know it might just be a bad (But cleanable) switch...

Also Ill add that the same mech was also used in the RC-6045 and the RC-6030B

[Guest]

flipoclock Yes, 29 ohms is fine for a 32 ohm speaker. Within plus/minus %20 or so.

Most radio speakers in these little units were anywhere from 8 to 32 ohms with 8 being the most common. Lower numbers allow more powerful sound, typically.

[flipoclock]

Thanks! I am into getting the radio-dial-indicator from Mackey and maybe, just maybe, a whole case, depending on availability and how much the owner is willing to pay for it, but even without the case I can get the front to stick in place with some strategically placed carpet tape (or whatever you call it in English), so it might turn out being a reasonable clock, but we'll see.

[Guest]

Well, good luck and I hope it works out. if you need more help just let us know...happy to help. I don't have any parts for the cabinet of the 6010/6015 at this time, but if you need radio parts or anything, I have A LOT.