So I just bought a Panasonic RC 6015 for use in the UK... would you gut it, or would you repair it and shell out for a power converter?

[jamezmon]

Hi everyone!

Just joined the forum, already seen a few of the site's videos on youtube and done some searches related to the following, my new Back to the Future clock!

I always loved the franchise as a kid and as a filmmaker myself I think the clock from a film about time travel would be a great gadget to wake up to, maybe for the rest of my days -

I'm in the UK and bought it from the US (it's not arrived yet), with the clock apparently working but the radio not, and so was going to ask about the likely source of the problem while it's in transit, however I unfortunately just learnt about the clock timing being dependent on the AC frequency -

As someone who has an interest in DIY projects but not the most patience in the world and not the biggest budget (the purchase of the clock alone was a bit steep for me), I was wondering what you thought would be the easiest, cheapest and most durable solution, considering that I'll want to use the clock forever, if I want to use it in the UK?

I understand there's a sine wave 220v50hz - 110v60z converter recommended on here so I'd be able to use the clock and look at repairing the radio, but that's way outside my budget right now (about as much as I paid for the clock with shipping),
I'm wondering if a more appropriate easier, and cheaper, and longer lasting solution would be to gut the internals and install some new components that work with EU electricity, just using the cabinet superficially and making the knobs/dials redundant and installing some separate switches somewhere, and extracting/reappropriating the actual clock mechanism and flip-tiles from another source?

So I guess I'm asking very long term, could the radio likely be repaired and continue to work? Or considering I want to use it everyday and it still be working 20 years from now, do you think it'd be better to plan ahead and just 'adapt' the cabinet, as I don't want to have to constantly be thinking about it breaking... (although maybe I'll love it so much I won't mind looking after it.... hmmm)...

Many thanks on your thoughts or advice on this, as most of all I don't want it to be sat in a box not in use!

Cheers,
James

[Mackey]

The radio is most likely a problem with the AM/FM switch - easy fix.
The only thing is that that if you did do all the re-gearing, you'd still have to convert from 220V down to 110-120V (the transformer will fry on your 220 V).
Honestly, you need a good converter.

The converter that I've written about on this site has been tested and used by a member in Australia who swears by it. He tried other possible solutions but with poor result. We're not connected to the seller at all, but we can vouch for the quality (I have one that converts from 110-120 to 220 at 50 Hz).

Finally a bit of warning. The RC-6015 are notoriously fragile. If you drop it, it will break. But otherwise they're long lasting.

[jamezmon]

Thanks for your speedy and informative replies!

I hadn't considered the brittle / fragile nature of the old plastic re: modifications -

I was inspired by this video where someone installed a sound card in a panasonic flip clock so the alarm played the groundhog day song, has anyone seen this / done anything like this before?: http://www.instructables.com/id/Grou...y-Alarm-Clock/

I was wondering if I just essentially ignore / remove all of the internals, swap out the flip clock for a 220V / DC one, run a new power cable out, and put in a cheap new board with bluetooth or something and hook it up to a speaker...hmm... just typing that out seemed like too much of a chore!

I guess my best bet is as you've said to clean the switch and wait until I can afford the converter.

Going back to the fragile nature of the RC 6015 - is there anything I can coat the plastic (inside and out presumably) with that will help keep it less prone to cracks / breaking that you've heard of / tried before?

Thanks!
James

[jamezmon]

Also, does anyone know how many amps / watts the rc 6015 uses / is rated at? (all the gizmos on and radio full blast)

Thanks,
James

[Mackey]

...

I was inspired by this video where someone installed a sound card in a panasonic flip clock so the alarm played the groundhog day song, has anyone seen this / done anything like this before?: http://www.instructables.com/id/Grou...y-Alarm-Clock/

...
Thanks!
James

Yes, I did this (actually before the instructable you referenced). I don't do this anymore.

[jamezmon]

Thanks for the advice, in terms of power output I was looking into maybe buying a less expensive converter and running it at 50hz in the meantime, so I can test the radio and use the clock with the incorrect timing, one like this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SC5474.html - will this work? It's rated at 50VA.

And in terms of modifying it the value of it is less important to me than the functionality of it, once I can afford a proper converter, all I'm thinking is to make sure it continues to work and make it a bit sturdier, maybe I'll cross the modification bridge when / if the clock fails beyond repair / restoration, tried having a google for preserving old plastic but yes I can't find anything...

[Marty McFlipclock]

Yes, I did this (actually before the instructable you referenced). I don't do this anymore.

That's so cool - I've got the same clock as the OP of this thread and id love to do same to this with the song it plays in BTTF - But I'm useless at soldering! id love if there was an easy way to put in a little soundbox that works at the touch of a button and requires no kind of soldering...... do you know of any devises that would do this?

[Mackey]

Yes. The same device that I used in the video. You just leave the batteries in place, leave the speaker in place that came with device and the device comes with buttons. It's all ready to go and not all that expensive.

[Marty McFlipclock]

Yes. The same device that I used in the video. You just leave the batteries in place, leave the speaker in place that came with device and the device comes with buttons. It's all ready to go and not all that expensive.

Oh really? I obviously didn't watch the video properly as I thought solder was required. I'll rewatch haha

[Mackey]

Oh really? I obviously didn't watch the video properly as I thought solder was required. I'll rewatch haha

The way I did it in the video, soldiering is required. What I'm trying to say is that using the device that I used in the video you don't HAVE to soldier anything. It is a free standing device that has buttons and a little speaker already on it.

[Marty McFlipclock]

The way I did it in the video, soldiering is required. What I'm trying to say is that using the device that I used in the video you don't HAVE to soldier anything. It is a free standing device that has buttons and a little speaker already on it.

Ah I see. I'll check out the link and get one ordered