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This weekend's task was to add a guard to the CDP-CX350 cd changer to keep the discs better contained when
moving the unit around. Now, Sony obviously didn't intend for this component to be shuttled about as part
of a mobile jukebox, but the application is just too tempting.
(Clearly earlier engineers at Sony felt the same way since the older CDP-CX240 has a perfectly
functional guard.) Both units are shown to the left with their covers removed.
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Step one in this operation was to place a clear sheet of lexan over the open cd changer. Then the vital
obstructions are traced (left). After tracing the vitals we pick out likely places to locate standoffs
and mark those areas in blue. Step two is to cut out the pattern. This is a tedious process since this
low temp plastic tended to liquify when cut using a scrolling saw and refuse after the blade had passed.
Regardless, the task was accomplised (right).
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Step three is a dry fit to make sure nothing interferes and all the parts still move freely inside the
changer (left). It wouldn't do to jam up the works in an effort to improve the ability of this
deck to fill a road warriors role. Special attention needed to be placed on the disc loading
mechanism and the door (right) which is tucked out of sight in most of the photos but actually sticks
quite far into the open deck space when open. |
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The last step was to drill holes through the bottom of the steel chassis and install long bolts as
standoffs for the new guard. Despite the pictures all the discs were removed for this step (no big deal
since the jukebox software can rebuild all the indexes for us in an automated
way. There are five mounting points total, four long standoffs and one short screw which we added to
the central cable bridge. The lexan is suspended less than a 1/16 of an inch above the discs and
everything still moves just great. With this change complete both of the
jukebox decks are now equally road worthy. |
