Rock-ola 414 issues

Ok loosened the gripper motor cycled by hand, when the no 2 switch falls into the grove the gripper motor slows down briefly then everything stops (turntable and gripper motor). It never gets to the no 3 switch. Any suggestions?

Thanks
JC

JC,
That would indicate that either there is an "open" in the circuit (switch--resistor), or that the motor was too weak to run at reduced voltage. Have you cleaned/oiled/re-brushed the motor ??
Ron Rich

Ron

No I have not cleaned the motor yet but I will, by switch do you mean the no 2 switch not handling the load. I did change the 13 ohm resistor in the play control relay.

Thanks

JC

JC,
Off hand,I do not know that circuit--perhaps the switch, or, if it controls a relay, the relay contacts ? Was the resistor bad ??
Ron Rich

The resistor test good with a meter but was blackened. I thought maybe under a load it was breaking down. I cleaned the contacts on the relay that it controls but not sure how to test it.

Hi
Have had a number of machines whereby the gripper motor would stall at no. 2 microswitch and i replaced the motor and this solved the problem, you can try cleaning it, might work, replacing the motor is as cheap or cheaper than replacing the armature. I would say the play control relay is ok but cleaning it won't do any harm
clones

Hi,
JC,
Read above--"how to check switches--"
Clones,
Usually, cleaning/oiling/ brush work, will revive these motors--however, if not,
"GOOD, Replacement motors" are difficult to find on this side of the pond !
I have had to have several rebuilt, as I could not locate a "guaranteed" good one.
Ron Rich

What is the preferred method of cleaning motors is there a "sticky" or good link to read up on this?

Hi JC,
No "sticky" (pun intended !), on this that I know of--
There are so many different type motors, and motor manufactures, that it would be almost impossible to write something covering all of them. Basically, on this type. Remove the brushes first, then, CAREFULLY, dis-assemble ( watching for small parts to go "flying")--use a "safety solvent" to "spray" the armature, shaft, and bearings.
Use a tooth pick to clean the slots of the armature, oil, service/replace brushes, if needed, re-assemble and pray--If the armature shaft is "glazed", I chuck it into my drill press and clean it with krokus (crocus ?) cloth. HTH---Ron Rich

I cleaned the motor and it did not help the problem. It did speed it up some though. I put a meter on the gripper motor output connection on the control unit and left the gripper disconnected. I cycled the gripper by hand and when the no 2 switch is activated the voltage dropped to zero. I would expect it to decrease the voltage through the 13 ohm resistor correct?

I would expect the same--is the resistor good ???
Ron Rich

Yes I replaced it, maybe a bad solder joint. I will recheck that.

Hi
I think it is either repair or replace the gripper motor, you could switch it with the record basket motor, and see how how the basket motor runs during the cycle, you will have to select a record first, wait until the basket stops at the record selected, move scan/open switch to off, take basket motor off and connect it up to where the gripper motor is connected, move scan to open,and cycle gripper arm manually and watch the motor and see how it runs as you go from micro switch 1 to 3, don't forget to put the basket motor back in place afterwards when the cycle is reversed
regards
Clones

Just "wondering"--since you have "zero voltage", I would not suspect the motor to be the problem ? I don't have a schematic-- does the power go through the switch, to the resistor, to the motor ? OR--is there a relay involved ? If the former, bad switch/connection at the switch/solder joint?
If the latter, all of the above, plus the relay contacts ? Ron Rich

I took the motor completely out. I replaced the resistor because it looked burned but tested good. I was wondering if maybe the relay in the control box was bad. The power goes from switch to resistor to motor