Modding a vintage Marantz 4240 to add a remote control.

[KaZjjW]

Hi people!

I wanted to share a DIY mod with you!

I bought an old 70's Marantz from eBay a few months ago, I had to repair it but now it works perfectly.
I started to be frustrated with the lack of a remote control and decided to do something about that.

I wanted to keep all the original controls and I wanted to be able to use them even without the remote, so I went for the motorized remote solution. Via WiFi and an iPhone.
You can find a demonstration video on my youtube.
I'll do more videos showing how it's actually working and describing the project, as soon as I finish the final version (it's still a prototype for now)
Also, maybe videos about how to build it.

Jean.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi people!

I wanted to share a DIY mod with you!

I bought an old 70's Marantz from eBay a few months ago, I had to repair it but now it works perfectly.
I started to be frustrated with the lack of a remote control and decided to do something about that.

I wanted to keep all the original controls and I wanted to be able to use them even without the remote, so I went for the motorized remote solution. Via WiFi and an iPhone.
You can find a demonstration video on my youtube.
I'll do more videos showing how it's actually working and describing the project, as soon as I finish the final version (it's still a prototype for now)
Also, maybe videos about how to build it.

Jean.

I'm fascinated by this project. Please post details as soon as you can.

 

[KaZjjW]

I should finish the final version in the next weeks and then shoot a video of how it's all made and working!

Btw, for easier access, the link from my first post:
youtu.be/P-VqL7AyXtU

I know it lacks explanations, but they will come hopefully soon.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Here it's Embedded. I'm very impressed. How did you made buttons press?

 

[TLS Guy]

Here it's Embedded. I'm very impressed. How did you made buttons press?

That really has aroused my curiosity!

 

[KaZjjW]

Here it's Embedded. I'm very impressed. How did you made buttons press?

Thank you!

Actually, making the power button move was the easier part. It's just a small servo, connected to the button by a fishing string, that pulls on it. (well, there's a pulley involved, but it's basically like pulling on a rope). The mechanical connections between the servos (there's one for the selector too) needed to be elastic, as the servos are very hard to move by hand)

I also wanted to motorize (and I will, probably) the tuning wheel, but the room to fit a motor is really tight. I need to do more thinking before.
Now, I'm going back to soldering the final electronic boards.

Jean.

 

[GranteedEV]

What an inspirational thread. Now I want to copy you!

But first I'd need a vintage receiver

 

[adk highlander]

Impressive! Definitely one of the coolest mod's I've seen in a very long time.

Thanks for sharing and keep the vid's coming. I cannot wait to see the inside.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for sharing and keep the vid's coming. I cannot wait to see the inside.

Nor can I!

 

[Warpdrv]

Tooooooo Cooooool

Nice work....

 

[ouimetnick]

Very cool. I've seen this done to another receiver before (not sure if it was a Marantz) Wish I could do a mod like this to a Hafler DH-101.

 

[KaZjjW]

Hi!
After finishing the final version of the electronic boards and wiring, fooling around with movie editing, I finally managed (somehow) to make two videos showing what's inside the Marantz and how it works.

I hope you'll enjoy them!

I also made a pdf with more info and more pictures, plus a zip with schematics and source code. Links in the videos descriptions.

Jean.

 

[Rickster71]

Here is one Embedded.
Very well done! I'm amazed at how you found the space for the added components.

 

[Adam]

Extremely cool! Thanks for sharing this with us.

After watching you work that screwdriver, I think that you might want to switch to decaf...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Extremely cool! Thanks for sharing this with us.

After watching you work that screwdriver, I think that you might want to switch to decaf...

This is extremely impressive! ps: Magnetic tip screwdriver changed my life (Wiha tools # 28489)

 

[KaZjjW]

Thanks everyone!
Now, I'm waiting for Steve Jobs to call me..

As for the magnetic screwdrivers, it's quite binary. They can save your life, or be a real pain.. But at least one in the toolbox is a must have.

I'm still thinking about creating a blog to show my other/future projects and do some open source hardware.