THE Guide to Restoring the Sounds of the Imperial Troop Transporter - Kenner Star Wars

[@ReynoldsReviews]

You f*#+!ng tease!!!😂 Brilliant!!! As always Dave, super interesting and engaging, and those tips will definitely help solve the issue with my imperial troop transport, as I occasionally get random sounds from different buttons, awesome as always mate 👏👏👌

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha ha!! The talking characters will return for the final part 👍 Oh, hadn't realised this video might be of use for your Transporter, cool - let me know if helps 🤘 Thanks for watching as always Luke! 🙏

[@FraDonaghyMusic]

Yes! The return of that Future Technology song at the start... always a pleasant surprise. Great video yet again Dave. Looking forward to part 3!

[@VintageToyRush]

Funny you mention Future Technology! It was a race against time to dispute a copyright claim against that song despite having a license!! Thankfully, it was cleared - it's a great tune 👍 Thanks, part 3 is all lined up ready to film!! 🤘

[@ageary]

This is vintage KZbin many thanks for a quality video. Just brought me back to 1980 with many hours of enjoyment playing Star Wars with my cousins.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks, appreciate your comment! Am glad to have taken you back 🤘

[@woodch]

I had this toy as a child when it was new! I was an impatient kid, and was frustrated that it seemed to play random noises instead of the ones I pushed the buttons for. It turned out, I wasn't holding the button in long enough, and pressing it quickly made it play random sounds instead. At least, that was my memory of it. I also tended to wear things out pretty quickly, so it sadly didn't survive my childhood.

[@VintageToyRush]

Sadly, most of them didn't survive. As kids we were interested in having fun, not preserving! and yeah, pressing the button quickly will mostly result in a random sound. Thanks for recounting your memories.

[@JMcMillen]

Thank you. I had one of these as a kid and now I know why it didn't always play the right sound.

[@geekstrong1]

I have the vintage K.I.T.T car and the sounds don't work so I'll definitely have to watch that video again. 🤜🤛 wish me luck.

[@VintageToyRush]

Oh yes, you have to give it a go!! 👍 Good luck!! 🤘

[@loganjorgensen]

That track seeking mech was very clever for how simple it works, I think it's probably the small scale of the catch points where failures pop up but that's tradeoff to the fine degree of force these parts use in operation. Bit like an engine, every 10,000 miles do a servicing. ;) Doesn't necessarily work generically but I think the speed control concept is like a primitive voice pitch adjustment option, I could see how it might apply to some designs better but most toys just use a default motor speed.

[@VintageToyRush]

I've been wondering for a while how that mechanism worked inside this Troop Transporter, so was very happy to open this one and reverse engineer it. Amazing really what they were able to accomplish in such a small space and with few moving parts. The voice pitch switch seems redundant to me for this vehicle but perhaps they re-used the record player in other toys too? A service goes a long way on many of these vintage mechanical toys 👍

[@dezt5108]

Awesome work Dave, give yourself a nice biscuit next time with your tea as a reward! Looking forward for the next instalment

[@VintageToyRush]

Thank Dez!! 👍 Ha, yes, definitely need a biscuit! If I remember correctly, cookies featured in the Mego Batman restoration 🤣

[@KillerB1138]

Fixed one of these back in December. Didn't know about adjusting the speed with the speaker screw. Thanks!

[@VintageToyRush]

Yep, it's a fine adjustment - that screw pushes down on the speaker which itself is pushing down on the needle. So the more pressure, the harder the motor is working, therefore runs slightly slower. Just like a real record player if the needle is too heavy it can erode the record slowly over the years - so just a case of tightening a little and trying each time 👍

[@jeff72_]

Great explanation and fix Dave, you make it look easy! Looking forward to part 3, cheers.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Jeff! 🤘 I think it's all relative, I build software for a living, so playing around with something physical like this doesn't seem so tricky, and it's fun 👍 Everything is ready for part 3 - cheers!!

[@ActionPopCast]

Excellent break down of these record players. Top video as always Dave 🤘🤘

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Nick!! 👍 ps haven't forgotten your Wampa 🤘

[@darby_collector9423]

Great video bud and your tech skills continue to amaze me! Look forward to the concluding part

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Steve! 🤘 Everything is all set for part 3 and the reveal LOL 👍

[@MisterBobot]

Very nicely done Dave! Looking forward to the next part...

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Mike! 🤘 ps I haven't forgotten about the collab 👍

[@BlackArroToons]

Great job as always, Dave, with the complex restoration work of this collectible, and the voice box motor parts. Definitely a challenge you tackle well. Nice work!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🤘 Everything is now all set for part 3 - looking forward to seeing the final result 👍

[@BlackArroToons]

@@VintageToyRush Cool, great job!

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Ozen are responsible for the majority of toys of that era that had sound that was record based, Action Man, Mr T, Star Wars, Tommy Gunn, Knight Rider as you mentioned, some with motors, some with a pull string, but they all seem to be slightly different, if not very different, so it's never as straightforward as you might think. Great job on working this one out mate! 👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Hey Darren! It would be awesome to restore as many of those as possible 🤣 I have an Action Man Field Radio waiting for restoration, but would love to find a pull string Action Man to see how that works. Cheers for watching 👍

[@TheToyBoy1978]

@@VintageToyRush well I've actually been waiting for someone to do a fix it guide for the Action Man field radio so I can feel a bit more confident about repairing the one i have, although I reckon I could probably use something like this or the Knight Rider video as a reasonable guide, A one to one representation is obviously more preferable! 👍

[@scottwhitehouse7152]

Great video. Incredible to see this old analog system restored, brilliant 👍👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Scott! 🤘

[@keithhorning7753]

I'm scared of these kinds of parts but maybe they are savable thanks.

[@VintageToyRush]

I can appreciate that, hopefully this guide will make it slightly less scary! Patience is key 🤘

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Oh man this was great! I can't wait for the ending. No mishap is too great for you!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Mark! 👍 Well, there are some mishaps I haven't been able to recover from 🤣 Everything is already in place for part 3 filming 👍

[@geekstrong1]

Definitely one of the coolest vintage Star Wars vehicle. 💪🤓

[@VintageToyRush]

Certainly is Deano! Having fun restoring this one 🤘

[@scubapete9500]

Having dove battle with this Mech myself, it’s no easy task. Your documentation is always top notch Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Pete! 🤘 Yeah, documentation is a good description for this one. Hopefully, it can help restore a few more out there!! 👍 Were you succesful in fixing yours?

[@JMcMillen]

The Stormtrooper sounded more like the ones from the movie when you had it set at the slow speed.

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, I guess it's all down to preference and balancing all the sounds 👍

[@TimHayes]

Excellent work @VTR Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Tim! 👍

[@achimhiltrop8124]

This is brilliant and very, very helpful! I am trying to get the motor of my Troop Transporter running now, too. I seem to have hit some sort of roadblock, though - now the motor runs *all* the time and the record is turning *all* the time, so the buttons don't actually do anything... where did I go wrong?

[@VintageToyRush]

There's a metal strip that sits against a post. When this strip is moved away from the post, the circuit is broken and the motor stops. When the record arm moves from left to right while it's playing the record, the record arm eventually pushes the strip away from the post. In your case this isn't happening. Check the needle is actually playing against the record (do you hear any sound at all when you first connect the battery). Then check the needle can move the strip away from its post. Also check the wires are connected correctly to + and - on the battery. If the record is rotating backwards, the needle will never engage with record and move across to the right.

[@achimhiltrop8124]

@@VintageToyRush thanks, I think I am on the right track. Funny though: when the module is open (i.e. only the speaker diaphragm is loosely lying on the needle, I can actually bush the buttons and the sound play OK. The problems start when I close the module and turn it around (the way it's supposed to be installed). That's where the record starts spinning immediately, and the red buttons don't do anything anymore. Seems that the circuit is already closed... but where? Must have something to do with the needle...

[@VintageToyRush]

@@achimhiltrop8124 nice! it's working at least... do you have the spring that sits on top of the speaker. The spring provides some force on the speaker holding the needle in place until you press a button.If you do have the spring, tighten the single screw in the top of the speaker grill - that'll add some more force - that'll be a good test 👍

[@ZeroHunterToys]

Great fix Dave.

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Matt! 👍

[@Retrotoyguysi]

Wow, I never realised there was a mini record player in there! Great video, thanks!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 Yeah, most toys of that era which had sound effects used a mini record player. Star Wars, Action Man, Knight Rider Car, Dr Who, ... 🤘

[@Retrotoyguysi]

@@VintageToyRush well you learn something new everyday I guess 😁.

[@equesfuscus]

Thanks for this. I've pulled the entire thing apart and grown to understand the motor fully. BTW, I majored in English, not Engineering, so if you can teach me, you can teach anything. You spray contact cleaner right into the motor. Does any contact cleaner work, or just Deoxit D5?

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 Any contact cleaner will work. I usually spray a small amount into the motor and let it run for a while. Also, let it dry and wipe any excess before assembling the rest of the vehicle. Good luck in your restoration!

[@equesfuscus]

@@VintageToyRush Thanks for this. I'll get it today. Do you think it useful to lubricate the motor with a grease for electric motors?

[@VintageToyRush]

I've never applied grease, you should be good to go 👍

[@equesfuscus]

@@VintageToyRushSuccess! Thank you! I used the electrical contact cleaner, let it dry, put it together, and the motor stopped squealing. Of all the ITT restoration videos, yours goes into the most detail about repairing the device. Can I share what I've noticed? 1. The contact arm has to be touching the contact point at rest or the system won't start, and sit at the right angle or it'll cut off the recording too early. Mine was bent back. 2. People should check and clean the contact arm contact point. 3. The record hangs downward, so it should be hanging fully down. Mine can sit higher on the axle and spin not so well. Check the record hangs fully toward the knob that prevents it from falling off the axle. 4. Clean the contacts on the speed switch. Mine was corroded and not connecting well. 5. The inner motor is built of pretty solid stuff. It strikes me as unlikely to be physically broken unless the body has apparent damage from dropping. I bet these things just need a thorough teardown and refurbishing. 6. Refurbished and with a new battery, the thing is loud! Thank you. 🙂

[@VintageToyRush]

@@equesfuscus That's great news! 👍 And thank you for sharing your experience and gotchas - good info for others who may be in the same boat. Am so pleased you've fixed yours and this video helped you along the way. Cheers Dave.

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Congrats on working out that record player. Not so easy but you make it fun. Look forward to part 3! Great video!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Mike! 🤘 Everything is in place ready for part 3 👍

[@Petethecollector]

Awesome video Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Pete! 🤘

[@jackgoff4668]

I wasn't aware of the little piece of cardboard inside the battery compartment. I had to go take a look at mine.

[@VintageToyRush]

Honestly, I don't remember a piece of cardboard there. Will have to go watch the video again 😎

[@fluxburner1636]

Great job Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers!! 🤘

[@jonboldrey5339]

Dave well done! Now to get it back in an still working

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers Jon! 👍 Now, the issue you have is a strange one - I'll be reassembling soon - I'm kinda hoping I hit the same problem, to see how to fix it 🤘

[@jonboldrey5339]

@@VintageToyRush Dave I thank u had it already..thank mine plays backwards 🍻 Dave 4 ur time

[@klenchr3621]

Fantastic

[@VintageToyRush]

Cheers! 🤘

[@Chasing80sToys]

Great job. Onwards to part 3. 🔧🪛

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Chris! 👍 Everything is all lined up for the finale! 🤘

[@kevcox5585]

Dave you are a genius. This motor is possibly the most complex one on any vintage star wars ship, very well done in having the patience and expertise in figuring out how it fully works. You are going to have a lovely fully working example once that one is put together. I got lucky, mine still seems to be working OK!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Kev!! 🤘 Genius, not sure about that but I'll take it 🤣 Good to hear yours is still fully functioning - I found the worst one I could find for this restoration LOL !!