Clarion Radio in UK/Europe

[Biker Max]

For those of you with a Voyager & live outside of North America then you will have found that the radio does not work correctly. This is because the radio frequency bands are a little different In North America to those in Europe & other country's. The FM(VHF) band moves up & down on the”Even” numbers.ie, 96.2, 96.4, 96.8 etc. While over here we use the “odd” numbers .ie 96.3,96.5,96.7 etc. The AM (MW) band also steps up at 9Khz steps as compared to 10Khz in the USA. This is not a big problem as Clarion made the radio with either internal links (1300) or a diode matrix (1200)that can be moved around for different country’s.
As anyone done this to the 1200 radio?
I normally do all my own electronic repairs, but have never come across this diode matrix before.
I have the circuit diagram but a little unsure which diodes to move.
Now I have had a look at the radio /MP3 conversion Pete is doing . Very nice job he is doing, but the cost of shipping too and from America is way above the cost of the conversion. Plus all the hassle of UK Customs.
For those who are looking for a service manual for the Clarion on the 1200, here is a download I found on the internet. I don't think it’s the complete manual but at least the circuit diagrams are there. Clarion PK-9090v Manual
Web address:-http://monitor.espec.ws/files/pk-9090v_174.pdf
And its Free! ……Yes Free!....

[Mr Jensee]

Downloaded and saved it for future reference. I may add it to my online Voyager manual. Thanks!

[Van Voyager]

Max:

A bit off topic as it related to your question..... but have you had your radio out and opened up? Are there discrete components or is it all integrated circuit chips? I'm pretty sure the capacitors in my 86 1300 Clarion Radio are due to be replaced as some of my tuning is wonky.

[Mr Jensee]

The best person to put the questions to is Pete Franchi. He is the guru here who knows the internals of the Clarion radio better than anybody.

[Biker Max]

Hi, regarding these old radios, It should not be a problem changing capacitors. 30 plus years ago they didn't use surface mount components. Yes there are I/C’s but its discrete components type from what I remember. Once you take it apart you will see what I mean. On the 1300 you will find most of the problems are from around the control panel. Good luck.

[Van Voyager]

Ooops, hit the 'report' button instead of the 'quote'. My bad

Max: Can you be more specific about:

most of the problems are from around the control panel. Good luck.

Do you mean the Radio/CB/Intercom control panel in the left fairing 'pocket'?

[Biker Max]

Yes that’s right the Radio/CB/Intercom control panel in the left fairing 'pocket. I found I had to change the potentiometer as they had worn out or corroded.
The selectors had corrosion under them due to water ingress. They are supposed to be water proof. Ha!
I stripped the controller down & cleaned everything. Even the PCB’s had started to turned green.
Also check the back of the connector at the bottom of the box that the controller connects to when inserted. I found a couple of wires off.
After I had done the jobs it worked fine. So have fun taking it apart.

[Van Voyager]

Thanks for the tips Max.