Crazy Dual 1009

I seem to be prone to record players or anything electric to going haywire and its been a problem as long as I can remember. I thought I was going to be happy with a Dual 1009 that I think was recommended here rather highly. I had some work done on it to be sure it operated properly. Sadly after a year or so at the best a string of odd operational problems have ended my satisfaction.

First thing I noticed was that on some records usually of 12" 78s the arm would not shut off the machine, it kept sitting down and after clicking like it had finished its cycle it would come back on and raise up, this would go on till I moved either the size or speed levers after which it used to finally stop. With a bit of time that became and issue for all sizes, but oddly usually only the size that currently would be used, if I switched to another size record often it would then shut down. Sometimes switching to manual play for a while and then going back to automatic would cause it to stop.. Eventually the manual refused to work either by not stopping or just plain rejecting it self after moving the arm to the record. Then it took to on rejecting usually on 78 12 inch records the arm would not sit down at all. On observing it would seem to get almost to the place where it should have lowered but would sort of stop just short of it so that the turntable would not shut off. It also then tended to do it in play and the large 78s would end up hitting the arm knocking off the record before it could play. Finally it got to where after it sat down on 33 speed 12" records it would instantly reject it self and shut off, no play at all. Now it does that with all records and also will not shut off just keeps cycling endlessly.

I don't think this is something a novice with no skill at mechanical electronics to fix, I looked under the turn table hoping to see something that would be obvious but off course there wasn't. Shipping it for repairs is a problem as well since a couple I purchased were wrecked in shipping already.. And if I could ship it I don't know where it would go for the proper service? Worst part is I was happily purchasing 78 or 45 albums again thinking I had finally found something that would reliably play them. Now It won't work period.. I also have the Elac that hums and needs attention. I like the Dual best but I don't know if anything is going to survive and time and keep working right? Also I have good money invested in both stylus for each machine and I don't know if the old Elac Cartridge or Dual one would fit something from latter even if I just had to go to manual play which is defeating the purpose of having the albums. Don't know where I am going with this, but maybe it will jog some thoughts of what the issue is or where to fix it or how to select the right replacement. If I were to do it all over I think the small center support spindle would not be a choice as its close to impossible to find records in perfect enough shape for they tiny little support arms to make their way up to drop the records.

Ah! The Dual syndrome!

The trip mechanism parts are dirty or gummed with grease. Trip mechanism parts must NOT be lubricated. This can also be caused by the turntable center bearing having grease on parts of it not directly related to the bearing. The extra grease catches the trip pawl and pulls it out, starting the change cycle again.

Playing with the controls probably just gained time, until the grease stopped making the trip pawl advance.

Note that some 12" 78s are too thick to work with the spindle.