Sony ICF-B88 Operating Instructions Manual

FM/AM Radio

Operating Instructions

ICF-B88

4-452-667-12(1)
© 2013 Sony Corporation
Printed in China

Charging the Built-in Rechargeable Battery

Charging by Hand Cranking Method

Hold the unit firmly and
pull out the POWER

1

GENERATOR handle.

POWER

Fold in the
telescopic
antenna.

Put your hand through the hand strap to prevent
accidents and injuries from dropping the unit.

GENERATOR
handle

Turn the handle to
charge.

2

The CHARGE
indicator
lights up while
charging.

To charge, turn
the handle in
either direction.

As a guideline, turn the handle at a speed of
approx. two turns or more per second.

You can charge the battery while listening to the radio.

Rechargeable battery operating time
(Approx. minutes)

FM AM Light

2

1 minute of charging by
turning the handle*

1

*

When the handle is turned at a speed of approx.

twoturns per second

2

At power output of approx. 1 mW

*

Notes

• Each time you turn the handle for two or three
minutes, pause approx. one minute and then start
turning the handle again.

• If the CHARGE indicator does not light up even when
you turn the handle at a speed of two turns or more
per second, stop turning the handle to charge the
battery so that overcharging does not occur.

• If you charge the battery while listening to the radio,
there may be noise interference in the radio.

50*

1

75*

2

15

Charging by USB AC adaptor

You can charge the built-in rechargeable battery
using the USB AC adaptor (not supplied).

The DC IN 5V indicator will light up while the
battery is being charged and the indicator
will turn off when charging is completed.

DC IN 5V (micro
USB) jack

Micro USB plug

 Connect the

supplied micro
USB cable.

USB plug

After the battery is charged, disconnect the micro
USB cable.

 Open the

terminal cover.

 Connect USB AC

adaptor to the AC
outlet.

USB AC adaptor
(not supplied)

Rechargeable battery operating time
(Approx. hours)

FM AM Light

When the rechargeable
battery is fully charged

* JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology

Industries Association) standards. The actual battery
life may vary depending on the circumstances.

Notes

• There may be noise interference in the radio while
the rechargeable battery is being charged using the
USB AC adaptor.

• Do not turn the handle to charge the rechargeable
battery while the USB AC adaptor is being used to
charge the battery.

• After the rechargeable battery is fully charged by the
USB AC adaptor, do not charge it again by turning
the handle to prevent overcharging.

• It is recommended to charge the rechargeable
battery in a place with a temperature between 10°C
and 30°C to maximize the battery performance.

• It takes approx. 3 hours to charge the rechargeable
battery from the fully discharged state to fully
charged.

32
(JEITA*)

40
(JEITA*)

20

Charging by Solar Panel

Place this unit so that the entire solar panel is
exposed to sunlight.

Place this unit in a place with good
ventilation.

Rechargeable battery operating time
(Approx. minutes)

FM AM Light

2

60 minutes of solar­powered charging*

1

*

When the unit is charged outdoors in sunny

weather

2

At power output of approx. 1 mW

*

Notes

• To efficiently charge the rechargeable battery, place
the unit with the solar panel facing the sunlight.

• The rechargeable battery will not charge unless all of
the solar panel is exposed to sunlight.

• The solar panel of this unit is designed for outdoor
use. You cannot charge the rechargeable battery
using room lighting.

• The rechargeable battery cannot be charged with
sunlight through UV-cut glass or glass laminated
with UV-cut film.

• Charge the rechargeable battery in a place with
a temperature between 0°C and 40°C and good
ventilation that does not trap heat.

• The solar-powered charging function is designed to
use for listening to the radio or using the light. You
cannot use this function for charging a smartphone.

40*

1

60*

2

10

Listening to the Radio

Choose the power source.

1

BUILT-IN BATT: When using the built-in
rechargeable battery as the power source.

AA BATT: When using LR6 (size AA) batteries (not
supplied) as the power source.

Installing two LR6 (size AA)
batteries (not supplied)

Pull the tab up

toward you to
open the lid
of the battery
compartment.

Slide the tab.

Always insert
the  side of
the battery first.

The built-in rechargeable battery cannot be
charged from LR6 (size AA) batteries.

Select “FM” or “AM.”

2

Battery operating time (Approx. hours)

FM AM Light

LR6 (size AA) dry
batteries*

1

*

When two brand-new Sony alkaline LR6 (size AA)

2

JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology

*

If the battery compartment lid comes off

compartment lid

1

dry batteries are used until they are exhausted

Industries Association) standards. The actual battery
life may vary depending on the circumstances.

Battery

Waterproof

inner lid

80
(JEITA*2)

100
(JEITA*2)

50

Snap the

waterproof
inner lid into
the battery
compartment lid.

Insert the

claws into the
openings on
the battery
compartment.

You can charge the battery while listening to the radio.

Tune to the desired
station.

3

When the
station is
tuned in,
the TUNE
indicator
lights up.

Adjust the volume
using VOL.

Using headphones (not supplied)

 headphone
jack

Open the

terminal
cover.

Connect the monaural

headphones (3.5 mm
mini-plug)*.

* You can also use stereo headphones. Note, however,

that the unit will produce the exact same sound
from the left and right channels.

To improve radio reception

FM

Extend the telescopic
antenna and/or
change the direction of
the antenna.

AM

The unit is equipped
with a telescopic
antenna. Rotate the
unit to get the best
reception.

If you are unable to
get clear reception,
change the location of
the unit (e.g. move the
unit close to a window
when it is being used
indoors).

Using the light

FLASHLIGHT
turns on

FLASHLIGHT

Hold the
bottom
of the
antenna.

Charging a Smartphone

BATT SELECTOR

BUILT-IN BATT

BATT

Set power to “OFF.”

1

You cannot charge a smartphone
while listening to the radio.

Choose the power source.

2

BATT SELECTOR

Charging a smartphone using the hand cranking method:

When you turn the handle, charging of the smartphone will start. Even
while the smartphone is being charged using the built-in rechargeable
battery or LR6 (size AA) batteries, if you turn the handle, the charging
operation will be switched to the hand cranking method. (The CHARGE
indicator will not light up.)

(Turn the handle at a speed of approx. two turns or more per second. If you
charge the smartphone for one minute, you will be able to continuously talk
on the smartphone for approx. one minute. If you turn the handle at slower

than the specified speed, the smartphone may not be charged.)

AA BATT

BUILT-IN

AA BATT

Charging a smartphone from the built-in
rechargeable battery:

(If you charge the smartphone using a fully
charged built-in rechargeable battery, you will be
able to continuously talk on the smartphone for
approx. 25 minutes.)

Charging a smartphone from LR6 (size AA)
batteries (not supplied):

(If you charge the smartphone using two brand­new Sony alkaline LR6 (size AA) dry batteries,
you will be able to continuously talk on the
smartphone for approx. 25 minutes.)

Notes

• Charge a smartphone before the battery of the
smartphone is completely exhausted.

• You cannot charge a smartphone from the size
AA manganese dry batteries.

• When you charge a smartphone using alkaline
dry batteries, be sure to use brand-new
batteries.

• You cannot charge the built-in rechargeable
battery using the USB AC adaptor while a
smartphone is being charged.

• The battery sometimes becomes very hot after
charging, so be careful not to burn yourself
when you handle it.

• This unit does not guarantee that it can be used
for charging all products that can be charged
via USB.

Tips

• Check the charge status on the smartphone
screen.

• If a warning message is displayed on the
smartphone while you are turning the handle,
pause briefly and then start turning the handle
again.

• To charge a smartphone using the built-in
rechargeable battery or LR6 (size AA) batteries
after charging the smartphone using the hand
cranking method, stop turning the handle and
then disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.

Connect the unit to a smartphone to charge the smartphone.

3

Connect the smartphone.

Micro USB plug

Micro USB cable (supplied)

Smartphone

(If the smartphone uses a cable
other than that with a micro USB
plug, use the USB cable supplied
with the smartphone.)

USB plug

MOBILE CHARGE (USB) jack

Connect the
unit.

Open the
terminal
cover.

After charging is finished,
disconnect the cable and

4

close the terminal cover.

Disconnect the USB cable.

Hold the connector

Smartphone

Close the terminal cover.

plug to disconnect
the cable.

Specifications

Frequency range

FM: 87.5MHz 108MHz
AM: 530kHz 1,710kHz

Speaker

Approx. 3.6 cm dia. round 8 Ω (1)

Input

DC IN 5V (micro USB) jack (1)

Output

headphone jack (ø 3.5 mm mini jack) (1)



MOBILE CHARGE (USB) jack (1)

Power output

60 mW (Using the built-in rechargeable battery)
90 mW (Using Sony alkaline LR6 (size AA)
batteries, not supplied)

Power requirements

Built-in Nickel Metal Hydride (2.4 V, 900 mAh,
Ni-MH or 2.4 V, 700 mAh, Ni-MH) battery or 3 V
DC, two LR6 (size AA) dry batteries

Dimensions

Approx. 132 mm × 79 mm × 58 mm (W/H/D)

Mass

Main unit: Approx. 338 g
When dry batteries are used: Approx. 385 g (incl.
LR6 (size AA) batteries)

Supplied accessories

Carrying pouch (1), Micro USB cable (1), Emergency
whistle (1), Hand strap (1), Operating instructions
(1)

Design and specifications of this unit are subject
to change without notice for improvement of
performance.

The company names and product names indicated
in this instructions document are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of those companies.

Operating time

The actual battery operating time may vary
depending on the surrounding environment and
operating conditions. The battery operating time for
a smartphone is an approximate guide based on
measurements of typical models.

Battery operating time

FM AM Light

1 minute of
charging by
turning the

1

handle*
When the

rechargeable
battery is fully
charged

60 minutes of
solar-powered
charging*

LR6 (size AA)
dry batteries*

4

Approx. 50
minutes*

Approx.
32 hours
(JEITA*

Approx. 40
minutes*

Approx.

5

80 hours
(JEITA*3)

2

3

)

2

Approx. 75
minutes*

Approx.
40 hours
(JEITA*3)

Approx. 60
minutes*

Approx.
100 hours
(JEITA*3)

Approx. 15

2

minutes

Approx. 20
hours

Approx. 10

2

minutes

Approx. 50
hours

Notes

• If using this unit for the first time, if it had not been
used for a long time, or if the power has been left
on, the battery operating time may be short even
after charging it. In that case, charge (for more than
a minute) and discharge the battery (using the
radio or light) several times. The battery life will be
restored.

• When you do not use this unit for a long time,
remove the LR6 (size AA) batteries and set the
BATT SELECTOR switch to “AA BATT” to prevent
deterioration of the built-in rechargeable battery. It is
also recommended to fully charge the rechargeable
battery at least once a year using the USB AC
adaptor.

• When the battery is exhausted, the sound will
become weak or distorted, or the TUNE indicator
will grow dark. In that case, charge the built-in
rechargeable battery or replace LR6 (size AA)
batteries with new ones.

• You cannot replace the built-in rechargeable battery.

• If the operating time of the radio is too short even

after charging the unit, please contact your nearest
Sony dealer.

Smartphone operating time*

Charged from built­in rechargeable

7

battery*
Charged from

LR6 (size AA) dry
batteries*

1 minute of charging
by turning the
handle*

1

*

When the handle is turned at a speed of approx.

2

*

3

*

4

*

5

*

6

*

7

*

8

*

8

1

two turns per second.
At power output of approx. 1 mW
JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology

Industries Association) standards. The actual battery

life may vary depending on the circumstances.
When the unit is charged outdoors in sunny

weather
When two brand-new Sony alkaline LR6 (size AA)

dry batteries are used until they are exhausted
The operating time varies depending on the

smartphone model and operating conditions.
When the smartphone is charged from the built-in

rechargeable battery under the condition in which

the rechargeable battery is fully charged until it is

exhausted
When two brand-new Sony alkaline LR6 (size AA)

dry batteries are used for charging a smartphone

until these batteries are exhausted

(The time required to finish charging varies

depending on the type of batteries and model of

smartphone.)

6

Continuous
standby state

Approx. 16
hours

Approx. 16
hours

Approx. 40
minutes

Continuous
talking

Approx. 25
minutes

Approx. 25
minutes

Approx. 1
minute

Precautions

On handling the unit

• Do not drop the unit or subject it to shock; doing so
may cause a malfunction.

• Do not leave the unit in the following locations.

 In a place exposed to extremely high

temperatures (60°C or higher) or low
temperatures (0°C or lower)

 Near heat sources
 In a place exposed to high humidity
 In the cabin of a car with closed windows

(particularly in summer)

 In a place exposed to excessive dust
 In a confined space such as a bookcase or built-in

cabinet

• Do not place lighted candles on the apparatus.

• Do not expose the batteries installed to excessive

heat such as sunshine, fire or the like for a long time.

• Do not let any solid object or liquid fall into the unit.

• When the cabinet becomes soiled, clean it with a

soft dry cloth. Never use chemical solvents such as
thinner or benzene, as they may mar the cabinet.

• Do not leave magnetic bank cards, magnetic
train passes, or other cards containing magnetic
information near the speaker. The information on
the card may be erased by the magnet inside the
speaker.

• Keep the volume at a moderate level so as not to
harm your ears.

On splash proof performance

Although this unit is splash proof to a degree against
exposure to a spray of rain, snow, and water, exercise
caution in the following situations.

• Do not splash a large amount of water on the unit.

• Do not immerse the unit in water.

• If water is splashed on the unit or it is dropped into

water, immediately remove the unit from the water
and wipe moisture from the unit with a soft dry
cloth.

• If water gets into the speaker, turn the speaker side
of the unit downward and pour the water out from
the speaker.

• When the  headphone jack or USB port is not
used, be sure to close the terminal cover. If you do
not close the terminal cover, the unit’s splash proof
state will be compromised. When these terminals
are being used with the cover open, be careful not to
expose them to water.

• After the unit is exposed to water, take caution it
does not make nearby objects wet.

On using this unit, Sony shall not be liable for any
damage caused by smartphone memory data loss or
inability to talk on the smartphone, loss in profit, or
any claim from a third party.

If the unit malfunctions, do not open the cabinet.
Contact your nearest Sony dealer.

Disposing of the unit

Remove the built-in rechargeable battery for
environmental protection. Before removing the built-in
rechargeable battery, set the BATT SELECTOR switch to
“AA BATT.”

1 Detach parts of the main unit in the following order.

 Bottom cover: Remove two screws.
 Panel with FLASHLIGHT: Remove the screw near

the  headphone jack under the terminal cover.

 Panel with VOL control: Pull out and remove the

three dials, and then remove the screw under the
VOL control.

 Solar panel cover on top of the unit: Remove

three screws on the antenna rest at the rear of the
unit.

 Side of unit with battery compartment: Remove

two screws on the right edge, two screws on the
lower edge, and the screw at the upper right
corner in the battery compartment. Then remove
two screws on the lower side of the solar panel.

2 Remove the screw on the board to detach it and

then remove the built-in rechargeable battery.

3 Hold the connector plug of the board and disconnect

the built-in rechargeable battery from the board.

WARNING

Do not open the cabinet except when disposing of the
unit.

CAUTION

• Be sure to disconnect the rechargeable battery
from the board. Electricity flows when the battery is
connected and it can be unsafe. When removing the
battery, be careful not to touch the interior of other
parts.

• Make sure that the built-in rechargeable battery
is completely exhausted and then remove the
rechargeable battery.