Weird audio head units - Mongrels?

[scot850]

I posted here rather than in the audio area as there are more eyes here.

A buddy of mine gave me 2 radios and the carcass of an SC-900 3CD audio unit and a 6 CD changer and cable.

Had time to look at them today and both the SC-816 units were strange.

First, one of the head units I believe was in the car when I sold it to him before he upgraded to an SC-900 and amplifier (I recognise the code written on the top as my writing!). What is strange about it is that it has a black faceplate?? IT says SC-816 on it and 'Premium Sound' which is not on the regular SC-816 units with their dark gray faceplates? I have seen many head units from P80's and others, but never a black faceplate SC-816. The older generation SC-815 has that script on it and is a very similar unit. Has anyone else seen one of these units?

Second weird one is the other SC-816 with a regular dark gray faceplate. While checking it powered up, I found 4/5 of the faceplate illuminating bulbs were out. SC-816, easy 10 minute job to swap them out. However, when I opened it up it had the circuit board of an SC-815 which you have to remove to get to the bulbs by turning 4 metal tabs 45 degrees to allow the circuit board to slide over them to remove tit and access the bulbs. The unit says it is a factory reconditioned unit. Maybe they frankensteined it in the repair shop?

Both are weird I have to say but short of me getting speakers wired up and fully testing them, they seem so far to be functioning as they should.

Neil.

[Goupil]

I think the black faceplate SC816 are from 960/V90s
https://www.cd4car.com/volvo-sc-816-rad ... 4-1-black/
viewtopic.php?t=71001

[scot850]

Thanks for that Goupil! Nice to know that at least one of them is a 'normal' unit.

Thanks for taking the time to help on this.

Neil.