Late-'50s Hoffman solar powered transistor radio

[@hestheMaster]

Hoffman model 706 from 1958. Came in 7 different chassis colors. Red here was RP-706. Chassis is 1123. Had Texas Instruments transistors in them and at this age some will have issues. At least Bryan got his working with batteries! Nice.

[@geralderdek282]

The chassis of your Hoffman is actually a magnovox am2. A very good radio.

[@scotthettel949]

Have you thought about using a battery holder from a cheap LED flashlight? They hold 3 AAA batteries and around here we can pick them up at a dollar store for a buck and a quarter. You sure come up with some interesting stuff, Thanks for sharing with us.

[@justsumguy2u]

Wow, what a nice find and a nice radio! I had no idea they had solar-powered radios back in the 50's. I'm not surprised that the output on the solar cell has faded, but I am surprised that the radio works quite well, running on it's original germanium transistors

[@tarstarkusz]

There is no way I would ever leave modern alkaline batteries in an infrequently used radio

[@versedbridge4007]

Especially DuraLeaks.

[@justsumguy2u]

He said in the video that he's getting a battery holder for it so he can remove them.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@justsumguy2u That's not what I heard him say. I heard him say he was adding the single and double holder to make changing the batteries easier so you don't have to solder them together.

[@justsumguy2u]

@@tarstarkusz Yes, but he never said he was going to leave batteries in the radio. Once he has holders for them, he will no doubt remove them when not in use.

[@andic6676]

You may be able to get a modern solar cell to fit

[@Christopher-re2hl]

Hello nice find. Solder a lithium ion rechargeable and put a recharging jack on a short cord and wrap it up and put it on the inside. It won't leak like Duracell. I work on tablets and sometimes I have to replace the battery because it lost some capacity but can be used for something like this with low current. I have a ton of old halfway decent lithium ion that lost 35% capacity. I bring some home to use to power my circuit experiments. If you go by a place that recycles batteries you could probably pick up some old ones for free if you have a friend that works there 😆 you can also put a wireless charging coil inside instead of a connector and use an induction charger. They're thin and the size of a credit card

[@trevorhaddox6884]

It wouldn't surprise me if there's some tutorial on KZbin on how to make your own solar panel. Given how primitive these early selenium cells were it would probably be good enough. (though that 20mA draw is a bit high)

[@vintageradio58]

Very nice radio. I am sure it was a good deal. I will only buy radios that are $20 or less.

[@Zickcermacity]

This video does not appear under the Videos tab on your wall, Brian.

[@1112223333111]

solar in the 50s? what?

[@eDoc2020]

Solar panels have been around for a long time, they were just much more expensive and much less efficient. I'm sure that 25 milliwatt panel was the biggest contributor to the $70 price tag.

[@colincampbell7027]

My opinion, a non working radio is junk. Get it working. The "purests and restuffers" be damned. It's like the people who put plates on a wall. They have a purpose, they serve a function and it ain't nailed to the wall. Do what you have to do to make it work. "Let 'em sing!!!". If the radio is worth more not working then it's a doorstop. Plain and simple.