Hello everyone, I'm a new member & I stumbled across an aesthetically good Sanyo for cheap. Main controls seem to be in working order but i'm having a hard time using the line in plug to listen to music from my mp3 player. When connected the sound is very soft & isn't even close in volume when listening to the radio. Is this a common problem? 

Also, in the future I want to add a belkin bluetooth http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047...ef=asc_df_B0047T79VS & add a rechargeable battery & still be able to be powered by outlet. Can anybody guide me through this? I'll make a build log on here to help other members as well that want to take on this project. I appreciate any help. Thank you & Mahalo from Hawaii!

I must be confused on the purpose of the line in plug ins on the radio. I thought it was a way to be able to use mp3 devices by using a 3.5 to rca plug to the radio. What can I do to use mp3 devices on my boombox in the meantime? 

Here's a picture of the inputs located on the side. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

where does the fm transmitter connect to? thank you for replying!

Nvm, I remember how fm transmitters work. So, let me get this correct, the line in plug in's on my box or any box for that matter cannot be used to connect a mp3 device. Correct? Thanks

try pressing record then try your mp3 player with record pressed down

Have you tried increasing the volume on the mp3 player to the max. Maybe you have a volume limit default that has been set in the mp3 player? Also try another mp3 player as the source, and check with a different cable also. The line ins as shown on your box should work fine. The other possibility is that internally the line in connections are faulty and need to be fixed. 

For some reason record button seems to be jammed & can't be pressed down = (

No not at all, there are many boxes where the line in will work good and loud with an mp3 player. Most I have with line in work brilliantly, it's just you can't always guarantee it as some models don't, the line in is just for recording so you get little or no volume US models tend to have more proper line ins than euro ones tho

Thank you for shedding some knowledge.

After playing around w/ the radio a bit, I've seem to come across that if I place the button in the middle of the phono & radio/line-in selection, my mp3 player plays through the radio excellently. A little strange but it works. So is there any way I can remedy this? Thank you.

Originally Posted by radio raheem:

try pressing record then try your mp3 player with record pressed down

For some reason record button seems to be jammed & can't be pressed down = (

Originally Posted by Northerner:

No not at all, there are many boxes where the line in will work good and loud with an mp3 player. Most I have with line in work brilliantly, it's just you can't always guarantee it as some models don't, the line in is just for recording so you get little or no volume US models tend to have more proper line ins than euro ones tho

Thank you for shedding some knowledge.

Originally Posted by Vincent:

Have you tried increasing the volume on the mp3 player to the max. Maybe you have a volume limit default that has been set in the mp3 player? Also try another mp3 player as the source, and check with a different cable also. The line ins as shown on your box should work fine. The other possibility is that internally the line in connections are faulty and need to be fixed. 

After playing around w/ the radio a bit, I've seem to come across that if I place the button in the middle of the phono & radio/line-in selection, my mp3 player plays through the radio excellently. A little strange but it works. So is there any way I can remedy this? Thank you.

Record button will only go down if a tape with the record tab is still in place, or you push down on the lever inside the tape area. The way where you turn the selector to line in is the correct way, no need to hit the record button.

You can install a bluetooth receiver and even power it from the internal powersupply and still keeps the original look, but you have to have some experiance before attemping the project. As far as battery mod, would use lithium ion battery pack or cells, as you have a higher current rating and run time will be longer, you may need a DC TO DC converter, depends on voltage requirements, charging circuit and protection circuit. 

Ah yes, I forgot about the record tab. Thanks for reminding me. What's weird to me is the position on the selector tabs where I find that it works is (in the middle of phono & radio) does not actually sit properly. I have to carefully & slowly place it in the middle of the two selections & hope it doesn't slip back into one of the two. (I don't think its an actual lever selection as there's no label for it like the radio, phono & tape selections do. I might've just found a lucky design flaw?) Also, I found out my tape player doesn't work so all I get is the motor making a buzzing noise & no music. On my other smaller Sanyo radio I can make the L/R mic plug ins work w/ my mp3 player by pressing the play button & pause at the same time. 

I have some skills in electronics from other hobbies such as home/car audio & radio controlled cars. So soldering & wiring isn't a problem for me. What I need pointers on is the correct procedures to execute the rechargeable battery pack & bluetooth mod. If anyone can point me in the right directions as far as reference links or help me directly, I would greatly appreciate it. I'll gladly post up a build log as well so that everyone can see the process that I went through to get my mods up and running.

I have 2 lithium polymer batteries that I already have & found reliable from using on my remote control cars. Here's a picture of it. I'm wondering if it's able to properly power my boombox. 7.4v - 5000mah

Thanks & mahalos!

If the switch is a bit dodgy you may find it's all sorted with a bit of switch/contact cleaner. Open the box up and spray servisol into each switch and then work the switch back and for 20 or so times. Leave to dry then try your mp3 again. This stuff will very likely sort it unless the switch is actually faulty. I've had many box issues sorted by a bit of switch cleaner it's magic stuff!!

Thank you for replying. Is servisol something I can find at my local radio shack or walmart? Or is it a specialty item that needs to be ordered?

A rechargeable battery, Bluetooth mod! You people are geniuses.

yes they are. thanks to them my insight has developed into 4-D 

Servisol is just one brand of switch/contact cleaner and they're pretty widely available tho I get mine from eBay. If you can hear the tape motor running but nothing moves then it will be the usual perished belts...I get multipacks off eBay. They're usually reasonably easy to replace.

Thank you Northerner.