Rockola 1436 Fireball 1952

I have a Rockola 1436 Fireball Jukebox which has been in our family since the 70's. I have a short someplace in the credit circuit which keeps blowing the 1/10th amp fuse in the accumulator. I cannot find anyone that will come to my house to look at it or anyone on line that has enough knowledge of the machine to help me. I was hoping that maybe you could help me find the problem by walking me through some tests and identifying the parts. I would be happy to pay you for your time.

Email me at vfrpilot@aol.com

Where are you located ?
That fuse is the "coin switch" fuse--do NOT replace it with anything larger, or you will destroy the coin coils--
In fact, the "problem" must be found, and corrected, prior to replacing the fuse, to avoid damage !
Ron Rich

Bad news... I already tried a larger fuse and it burned up a diode in the accumulator. I replaced the diode and now when I put in a new fuse two things happen....

1) if I put or have credits on the accumulator wheel the fuse blows as soon as I push a selection button on the door.

or

2) if I push the free credit button I get one, sometimes two credits before it blows.

I am located in southern Virginia just off 95 on the NC/Va border.

Yep--really BAD news--you have most likely allowed the smoke to vacate, on one or more, of the "credit add" coils in that unit---and, according to "my friend", "--lettin the smoke out ---" causes "---the electrik to no longer work, rite".
You might need to check with the "usual suspects" listed above in the "announcements--where to find" section for a replacement unit--or, you may need to rewind that coil(s?)--
There are several "repair people" listed in Always Jukin Magazine for that area---you might want to contact them for a list--wwwalwaysjukin.com--might also want to subscribe ? Ron Rich

Not sure what you are talking about as far as the coin coils go?

My accumulator only has one coil and a which controls a ratcheting device that counts credits? Are the coils you mention supposed to be in the accumulator or are they someplace else?

I also had the accumulator sent out a year or so ago and I was told it was working properly? (that was when I first started working on this problem).

I also smelled around and I don't see any signs of anything being burned?

Is it possible to attach pictures to this thread?

Thanks

Also... I was a subscriber to always jukin when always jukin was just a baby. I found them online again the other day... pleasently surprised.

How does the acc "add credits" ? I think you are seeing the "subtract coil" --unless this still used a mechanical "arm" to add credits ( I do not recall the year that R/O changed over), there should be three small "Add coils" hidden under the assembly--
Yes--it sure is possible to attach photo's--look in the "announcements section" of any subject for "how to---"
Ron Rich

Yea, you are right. I did find those coils you were talking about (see pic). I guess there is no way to test them is there?

Well I still have to find out why the 1/10th amp keep blowing first anyways. Maybe if I'm really lucky when I fix the short I'll find out that the credit windings are ok.

I did some testing and my voltages are all ok from the amp/power supply all the way up. I'm getting the proper voltage of 25 volts at the plug right on the front of the accumulator so it's not a high voltage issue. For some reason the fuse blows when I either hit the free credit button or a selection button on the door? Do you think the voltage is coming back around the other way from the control box?

What the heck is blowing this fuse?

A burnt credit add coil-or two burnt coils, or three burnt coils--depends on how many times the wrong fuse was installed, and how many times someone attempted to add credits, using their fingers on the credit switch(es) --one or more of which was, and may still be "shorted". Ron Rich

Is there any way to test the coils to see if they are burned or shorted?

Sure--use you meter-- Ron Rich

Hi Ron,

Not meaning to take over this discussion, but how do you check coils?

I have a similar problem and suspect the coils may be shorting.

Regards

Gordo.....

Measure them as you would a resistor--then measure to ground--
Ron Rich

Ron,

Thanks and I really appreciate your help.

I just found out that I have identified the wrong part in my accumulator. I had said that the diode had burned up when actually it was a resistor (little tan thing with stripes on it). Looking at the schematic it appears to go up into the selection wheel? This seems to make more sense since I shorted the selection system by spraying the contact cleaner on the door switches.

Any ideas?