Genius thanks. So glad to have my radio working again so easily after several years out of action. It still makes a loud snoring sound as the spring unwinds but the radio bit works fine :)
Just had the same thing happen to mine, and this video gives me the confidence to give it a try! Thanks so much for the video! The belts are hard to find... And a bit pricey ($15) compared to the price I paid for my blue one at Big Lots in the 90's, but it's been a steady companion in my work shop for years and you just can't let an old friend down! Interesting history behind these radios and their inventor and their role in medicine distribution in Africa.
Thank you for this video-I was worried about how to open up the case-afraid of all the guts springing out, but now I will take it apart to lube it and change the belt knowing how to do it.
This was very helpful. I have the same radio but in blue that I bought at goodwill. The solar panel is dead and the belt fell out of place but managed to get the belt back on and boosted the signal by using some copper wire.
I have had the Same problem with my older FreePlay wind up radio put the belt back on a couple times over the last few years sure wish I could find a replacement belt lol.
I got my Freeplay radio from Marlboro back in the 90's when they were running the Marlboro Miles campaign. I had a windup flashlight too. The belt causes most of the problems on both. It gets stretched through use. I used to get my belts from RadioShack but a lot of those stores are closed down now. So, I guess you'll have to try the internet. After the novelty wore off I just quit using them and bought me a regular portable electric/battery operated radio. Solar or windup are more trouble than they're worth. Good luck.
Hi Jonathan, I came across your video while looking for a repair tutorial for my Baygen Freeplay (non-solar version). I purchased this radio in 1998 and it survived just nicely until my grandson discovered it recently. Now I'm not saying for certain how it may have broken but according to him, it was working just fine then quit. Kids, what ya gonna do? ;-) Anyway, following your video I disassembled my Freeplay and discovered it did indeed have a broken drive belt. It looks reasonably easy to repair and I'd like to give it a go. *QUESTION* Where did you locate the replacement drive belt? I have yet to find one on the web. If I am correct, I need a FPR2 (second generation Freeplay AM/FM radio) belt. Based on my research this particular belt is for the non-solar version of the radio. Thank you in advance. Lastly, thank-you for the tip on the screwdriver! Pre-ordering it before disassembly made it really easy.
Hey, thanks for your comment. I don't remember for sure where's I got the replacement belt, but I got it either from a marvelous local store called "The Belt Store," where you can take them just about any belt of any size or purpose and they can match it, OR I found one among the bagfuls of miscellaneous electronics belts I've bought on eBay. You can get a bag of miscellaneous belts for about $5 on eBay good for cassette players, CD players, etc. if you measure the old one carefully you should be able to get pretty close to matching it.
I am trying to fix two freeplay radios from around 1999. I got the first one apart and the belt is on, I put lube spray on the gears. The crank handle just snaps back when trying to wind up either one. Any ideas? I am trying to fix them for an elderly friend on a very fixed income. Thanks so much!!
I have two Free Play Radios here in Kenya and wish to acquire batteries for my units. The radios were stored in a moist room for some time and batteries were damaged. I require new batteries. Please advise how to go about this I live in the City of Mombasa in Kenya.
Hi,I have a Igadgitz2 windup radio,I cannot find replacement batteries on eBay.3AAA300 mAH -2.4 z.the length of both are 25 mm x width 18 mm of both.in sealed pack.can I use a higher MAH batteries.these are 2.4 v is it for both? Or singular.any advice would be appreciated.cheers.
Yes, the antenna is a fairly easy fix and I had to do that to mine as well. Just find a similar antenna on any other radio and take it off, then put it on the FreePlay.
I don't remember where I got this specific belt from, but it was either from a packet of assorted belts that I bought on eBay or from a local store in Lafayette, Louisiana, called The Belt Store, where you can take your old belt and they will match it to a new one. (There are not many stores in the world like this one.)
@@JonathanKulp Sorry for the delay in my response. At present I do not need any spares. Round belts can be cut from spools of the correct die and cut at a slant and glued together. Message ends.
I got one from a local place called "The Belt Store." now there's a broken gear and windup doesnt work again. Solar works. I need to 3D print a new gear someday.
Genius thanks. So glad to have my radio working again so easily after several years out of action. It still makes a loud snoring sound as the spring unwinds but the radio bit works fine :)
Just had the same thing happen to mine, and this video gives me the confidence to give it a try! Thanks so much for the video! The belts are hard to find... And a bit pricey ($15) compared to the price I paid for my blue one at Big Lots in the 90's, but it's been a steady companion in my work shop for years and you just can't let an old friend down! Interesting history behind these radios and their inventor and their role in medicine distribution in Africa.
Thank you for this video-I was worried about how to open up the case-afraid of all the guts springing out, but now I will take it apart to lube it and change the belt knowing how to do it.
This was very helpful. I have the same radio but in blue that I bought at goodwill. The solar panel is dead and the belt fell out of place but managed to get the belt back on and boosted the signal by using some copper wire.
I have had the Same problem with my older FreePlay wind up radio put the belt back on a couple times over the last few years sure wish I could find a replacement belt lol.
I got my Freeplay radio from Marlboro back in the 90's when they were running the Marlboro Miles campaign. I had a windup flashlight too. The belt causes most of the problems on both. It gets stretched through use. I used to get my belts from RadioShack but a lot of those stores are closed down now. So, I guess you'll have to try the internet. After the novelty wore off I just quit using them and bought me a regular portable electric/battery operated radio. Solar or windup are more trouble than they're worth. Good luck.
I fixed mine with a skinny long rubber band
Hi Jonathan, I came across your video while looking for a repair tutorial for my Baygen Freeplay (non-solar version). I purchased this radio in 1998 and it survived just nicely until my grandson discovered it recently. Now I'm not saying for certain how it may have broken but according to him, it was working just fine then quit. Kids, what ya gonna do? ;-) Anyway, following your video I disassembled my Freeplay and discovered it did indeed have a broken drive belt. It looks reasonably easy to repair and I'd like to give it a go.
*QUESTION* Where did you locate the replacement drive belt? I have yet to find one on the web. If I am correct, I need a FPR2 (second generation Freeplay AM/FM radio) belt. Based on my research this particular belt is for the non-solar version of the radio. Thank you in advance.
Lastly, thank-you for the tip on the screwdriver! Pre-ordering it before disassembly made it really easy.
Hey, thanks for your comment. I don't remember for sure where's I got the replacement belt, but I got it either from a marvelous local store called "The Belt Store," where you can take them just about any belt of any size or purpose and they can match it, OR I found one among the bagfuls of miscellaneous electronics belts I've bought on eBay. You can get a bag of miscellaneous belts for about $5 on eBay good for cassette players, CD players, etc. if you measure the old one carefully you should be able to get pretty close to matching it.
I am trying to fix two freeplay radios from around 1999. I got the first one apart and the belt is on, I put lube spray on the gears. The crank handle just snaps back when trying to wind up either one. Any ideas? I am trying to fix them for an elderly friend on a very fixed income. Thanks so much!!
Same here, ... wind it up and it unwinds super fast with no resistance. Have you found a solution?
Help my radio is making a grating sound can you say what's wrong not used for a long time. Thanks Linda
I have two Free Play Radios here in Kenya and wish to acquire batteries for my units. The radios were stored in a moist room for some time and batteries were damaged. I require new batteries. Please advise how to go about this I live in the City of Mombasa in Kenya.
Hi,I have a Igadgitz2 windup radio,I cannot find replacement batteries on eBay.3AAA300 mAH -2.4 z.the length of both are 25 mm x width 18 mm of both.in sealed pack.can I use a higher MAH batteries.these are 2.4 v is it for both? Or singular.any advice would be appreciated.cheers.
The antenna broke on mine but everything else works. Now I don't get any stations. Can the antenna be fixed? The plastic piece broke on the inside
Yes, the antenna is a fairly easy fix and I had to do that to mine as well. Just find a similar antenna on any other radio and take it off, then put it on the FreePlay.
The spring on my radio frantically unwinds. Any ideas how to fix that?
This happened to me. The rubber belt snapped. Can be replaced as per video.
Great!
Where did you get the spare belts from
I don't remember where I got this specific belt from, but it was either from a packet of assorted belts that I bought on eBay or from a local store in Lafayette, Louisiana, called The Belt Store, where you can take your old belt and they will match it to a new one. (There are not many stores in the world like this one.)
@@JonathanKulp Sorry for the delay in my response. At present I do not need any spares. Round belts can be cut from spools of the correct die and cut at a slant and glued together. Message ends.
@@JonathanKulp how much does it cost for you to repair my FreePlay windup radio ? I live in Washington State.
I used a long skinny rubber band..works fine
Did you ever find a new belt?
I got one from a local place called "The Belt Store." now there's a broken gear and windup doesnt work again. Solar works. I need to 3D print a new gear someday.