How to transform a unusable vintage radio into a working prop using bluetooth

EDIT: I said I use an Iphone cable to power it. It's actually a mini USB to USB cable.
Another of my How To Videos.
This one using a junk radio cabinet and install a bluetooth module to use the radio as a prop in films or just be able to listen to old radio shows or music from a vintage radio.
I bought this Bluetooth module.
www.amazon.com...
The speakers I bought aren’t available from the site I bought them from so any small 3 or 4 ohm speaker will work. If the cabinet has the original speaker it may work. Not sure, but you could test it. It won’t hurt the Bluetooth module.
But these speakers will work fine.
www.amazon.com...
The module will come with three wires, two are for the right and left speaker and the third wire is for power.
Which you can use with a battery, but I use the USB jack that is also on the Bluetooth module using the same charging cable I use for my iPhone.
The other part of this is the dial of the old radio, it looks lifeless unless you put some light inside the cabinet.
So in mine, I used two clear LED’s hot glued to each side of the inside dial face.
It looks great, I attached a screen grab from a video I just shot of me in my vintage office. The radio on the table behind me. You can see the dial lit.
These are the LED’s
www.amazon.com...
You just connect a 9 volt battery connector to the leads.
I just disconnect the battery when I’m not using it but could put some switch somewhere. The battery lasts forever just powering the LED
#dwct14+ #bluetooth

[@PimpLenin]

My son and I did this recently with a 1947 Philco tabletop. Turned out awesome and looks great in the living room.

[@JakeHellbach]

That’s awesome! And such a great memory to have with your son!

[@PossiblyNic]

I volunteered an a museum when I was younger that had an old radio set up to switch between 40s-50s music, an old news broadcast, and the War of the Worlds radio play. I always loved it and wanted to make one for my own home. Recently found an old console radio shell in lovely condition for next to nothing and am working to get it working similar to this. Thank you for the video, very helpful!

[@JakeHellbach]

I’m so happy this helped you. Yes, there are a lot of these Bluetooth amplifiers on Amazon. They all work great.

[@rustyrails1886]

I like what you have done. I have taken several old radios that were beyond repair, and done a similar thing. But I didn't use blue tooth. I hid an fm car stereo in the case and use a small fm transmitter to send music from my phone or iPod. Twice I have added amps to boost the power. I use full range 6x9s in place of the large speaker that comes in old radios. They give a pretty good sound. On one of my projects I put the car stereo in the side of the cabinet. And it stays covered with a fancy doily that droops down over either side of the radio. No one suspects it until I lift the sheet to adjust the volume. You and I have the exact same idea. But go about it in different ways. Oh and I run 12 volt automobile lights for the dial. Since I have 12 volts there for the radio anyway. Keep up the good work sir

[@JakeHellbach]

Sounds like you use larger radios? floor models maybe? Seems like a lot of work to use a car radio, then a fm transmitter. Bluetooth is the way to go. You can get higher power bluetooth amps as well if you need louder sound than the one I'm using here.

[@christinez7252]

Thanks so much for this video!!! Great step by step!! New life for an old radio that I have.

[@JakeHellbach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevecook2990]

thank you so much for your content, I was going to use a echo Dot and place it inside the radio. but I will definitely use your LED lighting system for the radio control screen..

[@JakeHellbach]

What a great idea! I could do that with mine too.

[@vintagelife5195]

That is so cool!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for making this video. I see really nice cases all the time super cheap because they are gutted. This is gonna happen for sure! Ill probably take the LEDs and solder it to the unit to do away with the battery.

[@JakeHellbach]

Yes! that will work. I'll have to change that for mine too. Oh, in the video I said I use an Iphone cable to power it. That's not correct. It's a mini USB to regular USB cable. You'll see when you get the module.

[@vintagelife5195]

@@JakeHellbach Now I got a new thing to hunt when antiquing. The missus is very excited to be able to pick up a radio now. She right off the bat said she wanted bakelite. lol.

[@JakeHellbach]

@@vintagelife5195 There is always something new to hunt for :) Glad she's excited about the radio!!

[@davelevalley6511]

Thanks Jake, just what I was looking for.

[@JakeHellbach]

You are very welcome. Glad it helped you.

[@cherylstephens9322]

I love that radio!

[@JakeHellbach]

Me too! I use it all the time.

[@vintageradioman]

Very cool. Love what you did to it.

[@JakeHellbach]

Thank you!

[@McLeanPhoto]

Very Helpful thank you!

[@Pamela-kv3nq]

Very helpful and informative

[@JakeHellbach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kiwiace625]

Great idea to light up the dial. Brings an old radio back to life. Could the led be wired to the Bluetooth module power?

[@JakeHellbach]

Yes sure could. But in my case I use the light more than the Bluetooth and needs to be portable so the 9 volt battery is much easier.

[@malacrybee5850]

love it going to have o find one and try

[@JakeHellbach]

Great! Let me know how it goes.

[@AntQuick1102]

What connectors can I use instead of soldering to speakers like you say?

[@JakeHellbach]

There are crimp on connectors. But you would have to check with the speaker you have to get the correct size.

[@terryc2868]

I added three LED lights with the drop down installed powered by a 9v battery and got around 22 hours out of it till the battery was dead, any sugestions?

[@JakeHellbach]

Suggestion for? 22 hours for 3 led’s seems ok. I only leave mine plugged in while I’m using it. If you need the led’s on for an extended period, I’d use a ac power supply.

[@scottsimmons7400]

Can I wire the Bluetooth module to a 9volt battery?

[@JakeHellbach]

Not the one I bought and used in this video. It takes 3.7 - 5 volts. There may be others on the market that take 9 volts.