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Fixing stereo volume knobs

superduper - 2011-07-09 23:50

So some of you might have noticed the Sanyo M7830k restoration thread I posted.  One last detail that I resolved but which wasn't included in the video is the stereo volume control.  Some of you might have boomboxes with this same problem.

 

I'm talking about the dual stacked knobs.  Each of the knobs operate one channel.  Normally, when you turn them, they should turn together.  Otherwise, the L and R volumes won't be even.  When worn, they frequently operate independently and could be a big PITA since you have to keep fiddling with them to make the volume even.  So it was, with this volume knob.

 

So this is one last detail that had been bugging me and here is how I resolved it.

You will notice that there is a groove on the bottom knob.  I measured and concluded that a 3/4" O-ring would fit right in there.  So I purchased these but one wasn't quite thick enough and 2 would work fine but was a little too thick and left a noticeable black groove between the top and bottom knob.  Also, slight downward pressure was necessary to make them work in unison, and although the pressure needed was slight to nil, I wanted a better dummy proof solution.

 

So I cut thin strips of self adhesive weatherstripping and stuffed it into the groove.

 

The bottom knob was reinstalled, and one O-ring was stacked on top of it.  The weatherstrip foam was pefect to provide the "grab" needed to prevent slipping between the two knobs and the O-Ring was the perfect spacer.

 

Tested, and works perfectly now.  I call this, a "fix."

bredgeo - 2011-07-10 07:40

Hummmm.... Nice and tight?

superduper - 2011-07-10 09:54

Yup.  Works smoothly and perfectly.

bredgeo - 2011-07-10 10:22

Good Stuff!!!!!!!!!!