Wiring an Old Blaupunkt Frankfurt

[Steve Semeraro]

I have followed the vintage radio threads on this forum with interest and recently purchased a refurbished Blaupunkt Frankfurt. Unfortunately, it came with no wiring instructions. I'm not talking about the complicated issues. I'm at the most basic level of not knowing how to hook up power, ground, and speakers. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Being no better with a computer, I can't figure out how to include a picture! There are two wires on the back of the radio. A yellow one and a thick grey one with a plug that, I guess, if for the antenna. There is a socket for installing a pin connector. There is also a speaker icon next to a hole. On top is a metal tab that can be flipped. On one side it has a minus sign and on the other a plus sign. A sticker on top indicates that this controls the radio's ploarity. There is a hole in this tab, wihch I assume is for the ground.

Thanks.

[Chris1750]

Steve,
If you can get someone to take a couple of good quality photos of the front and back of the radio and post them here it'll help a lot.
I've recently acquired a stereo Frankfurt that works perfectly and I'm probably responsible for most of the 'noise' on the BB about these old sets. I have made up a lead so I can use an MP3 player according to a diagram supplied on a Belgian website, but it doesn't do anything. I've tried emailing the local and international Blaupunkt dealers but with no luck. I'm now at the point of attacking the radio with a multimeter to work out the connections.
I'm sure if you get a couple of photos up, the BB will help anyway it can.
Regards,
Chris

[bill2000]

Chris,

Would you post the link to the Belgian website, I'd like to see the diagram.

Thanks,
Bill

[Il Vecchio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Semeraro I have followed the vintage radio threads on this forum with interest and recently purchased a refurbished Blaupunkt Frankfurt. Unfortunately, it came with no wiring instructions. I'm not talking about the complicated issues. I'm at the most basic level of not knowing how to hook up power, ground, and speakers. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Being no better with a computer, I can't figure out how to include a picture! There are two wires on the back of the radio. A yellow one and a thick grey one with a plug that, I guess, if for the antenna. There is a socket for installing a pin connector. There is also a speaker icon next to a hole. On top is a metal tab that can be flipped. On one side it has a minus sign and on the other a plus sign. A sticker on top indicates that this controls the radio's ploarity. There is a hole in this tab, wihch I assume is for the ground. Thanks.

[Steve Semeraro]

Thank you for the responses. I am having trouble posting pictures because the "attach image" function prompts me to supply a website, rather than a location on my computer, and the cut and paste function doesn't work. Am I missing something simple? I realize this would be much easier if I cost post a picture.

The back of my radio is similar to Il Vecchio's, but not exactly the same. It has the same plastic cover/strap covering the multi-pin receptical. It also has the same sort of tab that on Il Vecchio's is located just below the "+12 Volt." On my radio, however, it is on the opposite side and right at the top of the radio and there is a sticker that shows how to reverse the polarity by flipping the tab. I have the same speaker incon, but on the other side of the back of the radio and there is just one hole rather than two.

The biggest difference on mine is that there is a small square metal box protruding from the back right side that has a yellow wire going into it at the top and the antenna connector going in at the bottom. Below that is a small light green circular opening. That appears to be a screw down type of receptical for a wire.

[Chris1750]

Bill & others,
This is the website in Belgium. It is written in French but isn't too much of a hassle to interpret.

ANTIQUE CAR RADIO MADNESS

I've posted the adaptor wiring photos in a similar thread under the 'Audio and Audio Electrical' section of the BB.
I'd be interested to hear how you all go with this, as I've made up a cable according to the diagram for a stereo radio, but it doesn't seem to do anything.
Regards, as usual,
Chris

[Steve Semeraro]

I think I have figured out how to put up some pictures. I have also communicated with the seller who reports that the yellow wire is for power and that the radio's metal body serves as the ground. I still suspect that the small green hole in the lower right is for the ground.

The third picture is the sticker on top of the radio that explains how to reverse polarity. I think that this is saying that when the metal tab is inserted with the "-" minus sign facing up that it is negative ground. Does that make sense to others?

As for speaker connections, the seller sent me the picture in the attached Word file. Unfortunately, the radio didn't come with the connector shown. Just two socket holes near the speaker icon. Does this sort of speaker connection look familiar to anyone? Any ideas? Many thanks.

[bill2000]

Thansk for the link Chris.

Here's a pic of the back of the AM Blaupunkt out of my old peugeot 304. You can see the speaker wire connector, and the yellow power lead with the fuse. It has a 6-12v switch on the top, and a sticker explaining the polarity which I have not yet deciphered.

Bill

[GTD]

Steve
Bill's pic should demonstrate that your radio supplies the output to the speaker in the same manner - thru the two holes near the speaker icon. Yours is simply missing the two-pin plug! Actually, wiring a connection to only one of these holes will allow the speaker to function as the other leg of the signal is carried by ground. The two wires are used to insure a complete circuit to the speaker and it is the proper way to wire it.
Definitely observe correct Polarity with these radios - failure to do so will fry them.

That plastic cap is covering a Euro DIN connector. It allows for quick connection of compatible devices; I still have an aftermarket headrest with twin speakers installed in it. It has that style connector. Bought it years ago and never used it!

[Il Vecchio]

Here's the crimp-on connectors I fonnd in my toolbox, two of which are on their way to you, Steve.

They aren't as pretty as the proper ones, but i didn't want to shell out >$10 (including shipping) and wait several weeks for delivery

I'd think that most electronics stores whold sell these.

[Steve Semeraro]

Many thanks to all, esepcially Il Vecchio for providing the connectors. This is a wonderful forum. Now for the hard part -- installing it!