baygen: FPR2S solar; Freeplay
baygen: FPR2S solar; Freeplay
A Note of caution!
Taking the set apart may expose you to the spring inside suddenly unwinding - with very dangerous consequences. Please take care.
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Dangerous radio
I just read an answer of a "PaulR" to the story of a dangerous clock, designed by Sigfried Haller, Germany. The article is how to dismantle and re-assemble the clock and how dangerous that is.
The same applies to this radio, the "Freeplay FPR2S solar" made by BayGen Products PTY, South Africa (ex. Freeplay Energy). This is what PaulR wrote there: "My prized not-quite-original-model Freeplay FPR2S Solar radio with a clear case has a obviously-very-dangerous main spring that's wound just like this clock's mainspring.
See here.
Compare the size of the hand and the spring. The spring isn't thin as foil, as is the case for the clock, it's a little thicker. When it's wound up, it's commands respect.
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Disposable radio?
Could this be the first disposable radio??
Surprised they dont fit the spring in a enclosure to allow repairs.
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Baygen Freeplay - Spring
Dear Colleagues,
The clockwork mechanism is in a separate compartment from the electronics. I have done repairs to the dial drive on my set - just make sure that the spring compartment remains closed and intact. Its no different from many other radios - you just have to take care. Its probably not as dangerous as most AC/DC radios. ( I use an isolation transformer + variac, but even so could get a nasty jolt.)
As for disposable radios - that could be a whole new topic.
Take Care - Bryce
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Dangerous repair,,,
I am not going to tempt somebody to jeopardize his health.
But what did poeple do when the spring of their crank grammo was broken? Often the eye at the inner or outer end was off.
Being removed from its drum the spring has still enough power to jump across the shop if not carefully fettered!
With all applicable care it was/is possible to replace it for a new one without hurting oneself. An iron wire around the spring did the job when one half of its width was slipped out from the drum.
Replacement springs were factory tied the same way. You inserted the spring and forced it completely into the drum, thereby slipping off the wire fetter.
Nowadays in most cases the spring will get a new end eye. That is another challenge to keep the spring coiled while one end shall protrude sidewards. Several wire ties are necessary for safety.
Such repairs are still made by grammo specialists. They sure know to handle a crank radio spring as well.
Always tie it up before You remove it.
And: never touch it (and its gear) if not necessary. "Never touch a running system !"
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Fifty-five crank-turns (about a minute) and it plays for an hour. It's fun to watch the gears speed up and slow down as the current draw changes.
FreePlay's FAQ on these radios has pretty much the same answer, no matter what the problem is: Replace The Radio - it's too dangerous to repair."