WM-DC2 power issue

Discussion in 'Chat Area' started by Dumbbelle, Oct 20, 2025.

  1. Dumbbelle

    Dumbbelle New Member

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    Many years ago I was given my now late dad's WM-DC2 Walkman. It was just the Walkman and 2 red speakers. I recently opened the battery compartment and saw one of the batteries had leaked. I therefore have no idea if the Walkman is in good working order. Turned to my "good mate" Google and being in the UK can see I need the AC-37 adapter plug. I have an AC-39 from the USA which a friend gave me but haven't as yet used it as still need to buy a transformer. On eBay I bought an AC-38 which is set to 240v. I connected it with a USA to UK plug and just for one second I saw the red light. The helpful seller advised it depends on which model I have eg. "E" but I don't know in which country it was purchased. Does the photo shed any light for which country it was manufactured ? Can I use the AC-39 with a 2 to 3 point adapter and a voltage converter? Did I damage the Walkman by trying the AC-38? Or the best case scenario would be if anyone has an AC-37 for sale? Any advice would be appreciated.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 20, 2025
  2. TooCooL4

    TooCooL4 Well-Known Member

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    Forget the AC adapter, clean the corroded battery terminals and just use batteries to test it. This is the safest way for that unit.
     
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  3. Michiel

    Michiel Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    Agree, don't use an adapter with high-end Sony Walkmans. Luckily, the AC-38 is negative center and 3V, so it might have survived. You have a special Walkman there; handle it with care. Use only batteries.
     
  4. Deb64

    Deb64 Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    Do not use any adaptor with the DC2! It uses the CX20084 motor controller chip which is very easily destroyed by a reverse polarity or switch mode power supply (almost all plug top adaptors sold these days are switch mode power supplies). Replacement CX20084 chips are almost impossible to find now and very expensive on the rare occasions when they do come up for sale.
     
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  5. Hyperscope

    Hyperscope Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    Work on cleaning the battery compartment. How bad is it? Put up a picture here and people will advise what methods are best to try.
     
  6. Dumbbelle

    Dumbbelle New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies. As the consensus is to use batteries I will appreciate any advice as to how to clean the battery contacts. Does anyone have an explanation as to why the red light shone only for a second when I connected the AC-38 as mentioned in my original post. I am attaching 2 photos of the battery compartment which is not easy to capture.
     

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  7. Valentin

    Valentin Well-Known Member

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    I would remove that battery terminal and clean it with a wire brush in a drill or with sandpaper.
    It's harder to clean it in place, while removing isn't hard at all. Only thing it requires is to press on the top part a bit inwards (towards the battery compartment) while pressing down.
    Soldering should be done only with terminal removed, otherwise there's a risk plastic holder will melt.
     
  8. Dumbbelle

    Dumbbelle New Member

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    Hi Valentin. To date I haven't tried to clean the battery compartment as am so nervous of causing damage and not confident enough to think I grasped your instructions on how to remove the entire battery compartment and solder - the latter confused me as what do I solder.
     
  9. Valentin

    Valentin Well-Known Member

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    See pictures attached for more clarity.
    Battery compartment does not come out, it's part of the chassis. it's only the terminals that come out.
    You must push the top of the terminal (where wire is soldered) outwards toward the inbside of battery compartment then down (in the direction of arrows).
    The terminal is mounted on rails. Once it comes out you can desolder the wire and clean.
     

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