Rockola 432 Slow Button Release

Greetings!
This is my first post.

When my Rock-Ola 432 is idle and I make a selection (any selection), the write-in carriage flips the proper pin. So far, so good.
The read-out carriage starts to turn slowly, about half-speed, and rotates slowly until the lock-bar solenoid releases the depressed number & letter buttons. The slow duration varies but it’s usually 4 to 10 seconds. Once the buttons are released, the read-out carriage proceeds at normal speed and plays the selection.

When the read-out carriage is moving slowly, if I beat the button shelf a few times with my fists, the buttons will release and everything speeds up to normal.

It’s only slow with selections made at idle. If a selection is made while a record is playing, the buttons are released immediately after the write-in.

I’ve tried cleaning all relay leaf switches and the carriage rings.

Any suggestions?
Thanks! Charlie

Charlie,
Welcome--
You are going to need to get out the schematic, and find out what's "common" to those two functions--I would suspect that a connector somewhere is failing --
Please post it, when you find it---
Ron Rich

Thanks for trying!

Unfortunately, schematic reading is not my competence. I cleaned all connector plugs and leaf switches.

When I power up the jukebox the first time and make a selection, the keys are released immediately. Big yippee celebration dance at this point.

But after the initial success, making a selection when idle causes a long delay and slow read-out before key release. If I cancel the selection, wait for the read-out carriage to return to idle then make another selection, the key-release delay is a bit shorter and they get shorter each time, down to about 2 or 3 seconds – never as quickly as selections made while a record is playing.

If I remove and hold the button tray in my hands (to isolate from the ADR relay) and pound on it some during the delay, the keys will release. But I think the preferred release comes from the ADR coil energizing – something is causing it to delay firing.

If I make any further progress, I’ll post the results. Charlie

Hi Charlie,

I remember seeing in my 464 manual, about slow motors. The first thing is to check the fuses, and some intermediary steps, ending finally with replacing the brushes on the motor. I'll see if I can't pull out the other potential problems. I understand the jukes are different, but the fuse issue could be something to check out.

Also, it's curious because on my juke at idle, it doesn't enter the read-out cycle until write-in is complete. And as soon as write-in is complete, the solenoid on the keyboard de-energizes and releases the key. Only then does read-out start. Does this indicate a problem, or is that simply how the design had changed between the 432 and 464?

Sorry I don't know more about your model,
Thanks,
-Darrell

Hi Darrell

The write-in process always works fine.
The read-out process will be slow IF the selection was made while the jukebox was at idle (the second time – see above).

Selections made while a record is playing result in immediate key release and normal speed read-out operations. Since the read-out motor (and key release) operates at normal speed under certain conditions, do you think the motors are suspect? I’ve confirmed that all fuses are at spec.

Thanks! Charlie

Charlie,
You have me confused--what are you calling the "write-in" process, and what are you calling the "read-out process" ? Ron Ric

Sorry for the confusion. I hate it when that happens!

What I’m (probably mistakenly) calling the write-in process:
After a letter and number key are pressed, the inner write-in carriage rotates up to 180 degrees and flips a pin.
My jukebox does this every time.
Re-reading the manual, it looks like there are some more steps to this process.

I was calling what happens next the “read-out process”. Apparently some of these steps belong in the above sequence.
I’m not sure about the order, and may be missing some steps. The following happens quickly when buttons are pressed while a record is playing:
The proper pin is flipped, the current limiting lamp lights (blinks actually) and the ADR coil energizes, apparently triggering the button solenoid to release the buttons.

Pressing buttons when the read-out carriage is at rest flips the appropriate pin (completing my “write-in process”), lights the lamp and the read-out carriage begins turning about ½ normal speed. The lamp stays lit until the buttons are released, which takes several seconds. Pounding on the button board hastens their release. I’m guessing something is delaying the ADR energizing.

Thanks so much for your help! Charlie

Hi Charlie,
Apparently we are still on two different tracks--
The read out carriage is connected to the "basket" (record holder) --so how does it "move" if a record is playing?
Ron Rich

You’re correct, the read-out carriage does NOT move when a record is playing.
What a blunder. I’m so sorry. No wonder it’s confusing!

I edited my previous post to correctly describe the behaviour when buttons are pressed while a record is playing.

Thanks for your patience. Charlie

Charlie,
The only thing I can think of is the DC power supply is being pulled down to low. This may be due to a poor rectifier, or cap in the circuit, or the basket motor being "dirty" and pulling to much power--I would meter the ADR relay and see what the voltage drops too--- It does seem to me that the motor runs slower when the relay is energized, but if you were to look at the schematic, I believe that the relay releases it's own "hold" circuit, when energized. The purpose of that relay is to allow enough time for the "hammer" to have enough power to move the pin. Once the pin has flipped, the relay should have made it to the fully energized state, and released itself. Ron Rich

Thanks for the tips Ron!
If I find the trouble, I’ll post it here.

You’ve been helpful and I appreciate it. Charlie