SAREGAMA CARAVAN SC-04 USB/FM Music Player Survived Floods!
This set was picked up by me on my recent visit to my relative staying about 18KM away, when I was returning from Hospital after completion of a review of my wife, who had an unfortunate attack of stroke about a couple of months back. As she was in the recovery stage, I wanted to give her an outing as a part of our efforts to bring her back to normal condition. This set has thousands of songs and music; Devotional and Classic with artist wise selection. It was a lovely set and I liked its look too! My niece reported that it was under water due to floods. She took it out when the water receded and kept it in Sun for a few days.
Then when she tried, it worked! Anyhow, the aftermath was formation of rust inside like cancer and making it dead. My duty was to open and check-up whether something can be done to bring it back to life. This was a gift given by her grandson and she was very fond of it. Anyhow, I got another chance to do service to my relatives and made use of it very well.
The six screws are hidden inside rubber bushes that one cannot see because of its blending with the color of the rear cover. Let us see the inside of this set:
I did a thorough cleaning of all boards and inside and removed rusts to the extent possible. Then charged the battery externally using my charger. I was surprised to see that it was getting charged and retained it too when checked afterwards. The USB port and charging port were all rusted and broken inside, needing replacement. I removed the SMD USB and Charging port using Hot Blower. Exact replacement was not available in the market and I had no other go except to do modifications and fix the USB port from outside and wire it on to this board. I drilled a hole adjacent to its hole on the cabinet and fixed a port.
Then provided four wires for the USB Port and Two wires for the charging port from the PCB. After fixing the PCB in its place, I inserted the USB from outside and fixed it firmly by soldering a thick wire around it. Then connected the four wires. Caution: When we fix a USB like this, we should ensure that the position and order of the pins match with the markings on the board. Let us look at some pictures:
I used an LED backlight sticker on the board as well as on the bottom side of the USB in order to ensure that the body of the USB does not cause a short. After fitting this and the battery, when I tried, it worked very well bringing not only a pleasant surprise but joy also for having saved a set from getting dumped! It was working on all modes; USB, Blue Tooth, FM and its own collection of music. I had lubricated and cleaned all connectors and also lubricated the volume control.
The Charger port and charging lights were also working very well:
I think that it is sheer luck of my niece that the set was working like this as in normal condition the set would have reached a ‘beyond repair’ stage already. Anyhow, how long this will work is a big question mark and remains to be seen!
Mission accomplished very well adding great satisfaction to its collection!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 74 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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16 Comments
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Waleed Rishmawi
August 3, 2024 at 9:35 pm
You actually brought back from the dead. Good job. Have a blessed day
Parasuraman S
August 3, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Many thanks for your lovely comments, dear friend!
Tayo
August 3, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Incredible save. Is there anything electronic in nature you cant fix Maestro??
Please send our regards to your wife. We wish her as speedy recovery and bountiful health.
Parasuraman S
August 4, 2024 at 10:06 am
Many thanks, dear Tayo! I shall convey!
Andy Shiekh
August 3, 2024 at 10:53 pm
Hope she gets well soon
Parasuraman S
August 4, 2024 at 10:07 am
Many thanks!
Yogesh Panchal
August 3, 2024 at 11:09 pm
My best wishes to AMMA to get recovered earliest..
I my self using MINI Caravaan since last six to seven years, Good Product,
Many Bluetooth Radio player are using Collar less PCB Mount USB socket,are not available in the market so modification is the only option....
Parasuraman S
August 4, 2024 at 10:08 am
Many, many thanks, dear Yogesh!
Albert van Bemmelen
August 3, 2024 at 11:26 pm
Apart from all unfixable issues of life we still have a good chance to salvage or restore defect electronic devices like you here again clearly showed.
Parasuraman S
August 4, 2024 at 10:09 am
Great words of wisdom! Many thanks, dear Albert!
Mark J
August 4, 2024 at 2:36 am
Parasuraman Subramanian Good job on bringing this back to life.
Parasuraman S
August 4, 2024 at 10:09 am
Many thanks, dear Mark!
Imoudu.O
August 5, 2024 at 3:03 am
No device can escape surgical touch from you, an example to us, extend my empathy to your dear wife.
Parasuraman S
August 5, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Many thanks for your loving comments, dear Imoudu! May God Bless you!
AdamS
August 6, 2024 at 9:33 pm
Another excellent job, Parasuraman, although you must have been disappointed not to have to change any capacitors!
My very best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery.
Parasuraman S
August 8, 2024 at 9:15 pm
Yes, I did not do it as the set is likely to become totatally unusable due to formation of rust. Let it live upto the last until it can breath! Many thanks for your loving comments!