Phonoland

I have a seeburg 1961 Artist of the week Model AY160. I have owned this Jukebox for 33 years. Today 10/12/2013 My wife turned it on and while playing a 45 smoke filled the room. She switched it off and screamed for me. I unplugged it grabbed the fire extinguisher from the fire place and opened the back door.
No fire but the larger transformer on the speed controller was very hot/dripping tar. I removed it and have the machine back playing 45s just fine. Any information on what happened? Any idea where I can get a rebuild Speed cont. Is the transformer---307414-3-----773113 only numbers I see, all I would need? Do I need to do anything? We seldom put the 7 inch 33 1/3 records, in the jukebox. But if I ever sell it a buyer may have a problem with the 33s not able to play.

Tom

Short circuit in the power supply. Diodes, Electrolytics, definately something shorted. Personally I wouldn't be using it until I knew that it is completely disconected from the circuit.
recore

After owning it for 33 years, what regular maintanence has been done?
Any restoration?
I would HOPE you don't expect it to run flawlessly all those years without servicing.

Your case is "Exhibit A" of what happens when 50+ year-old machines are kept running w/out being rebuilt.

The speed unit is lost. It is not needed.

Remove both amp and selection receiver and either replace all the capacitors and check the resistors, or have a competent tech do it.

Seeburgs were the best machines in terms of mechanics and selection system. But they were woefully under-fused and using one that has not been rebuilt is just a game of waiting for the next meltdown.

The cost of replacing another burnt transformer will equal the cost of a rebuild -and you'll still need the rebuild.

You should be able to find another speed unit, many op's removed them since they only used 45's, but get it rebuilt and fused before using.

Rob/NYC

Word of advise--if you replace it, be sure you use only the "transistorized" type in that cabinet !
Ron Rich

Hi all, First off I would like to thank all that replied to my questions. I was extremely surprised that some of you assumed this jukebox was never serviced or rebuilt over the fifty two years of it's existence. That, in my experience with just this one, would be one "heck" of a 1961 Seeburg AY160. I wanted to keep my post to the problem at hand, I could fill a book on what was done over the thirty three years I have owned it. First off modifying it to solid state is completely out of the question. I could have had that done long ago but I would no sooner do that then put a Modern V8 in my straight 8 1954 Packard, but again, thanks for the advice.

The trusted expert I always had service this Jukebox has passed away.

I need to know if anyone has a tube type speed controller rebuilt to factory standards? Can anyone reading this post rebuild this one or know of someone qualified near Reading, PA? If the answer is yes let me know. Any reasonable price/cost will be considered.

I may just leave as is, as it plays the 45 RPM records just fine with the 33 1/3 controller removed. I may leave it to whoever inherits this one (I'll probably never sell it) to restore it again. We'll see.

Tom

Tom,
If you insist on an Autospeed, you need to first examine the air venting, as per the warning, in your service manual. IMHO, you should use either of the later "transistorized" versions--Most AY cabinets are too "hot" to use the tube type--that's one reason they changed to the transistor type--fire danger is great with the tube type--I have seen several that caught the cabinet on fire -- Ron Rich

Hi Ron, thanks for replying.I have my manual open to pages 13015 to pages 13028, they cover the type ASU1
and the transistorized type TASU1. According to my manual the part # is 307470 for the transistorized auto speed unit. The plugs are the same on both the ASU1 and the TASU1. The only confusion is on page 13027, it calls the TASU1 a "kit" part #508946.

FYI, the "smoked" transformer was the T 751 power transformer. Boy, did that thing stink up my home but we both know it could have been worse.

Part numbers aside, do you know where I can get my hands on a rebuilt transistorized Auto Speed Control Unit for my 61 artist of the week AY160?

Tom

Hi Tom,
I have no idea where to find a rebuilt one--I have not rebuilt one in over 40 years--
The transistorized unit was offered as both a "kit", ( which included other parts that may, or may not have been needed), and as, factory installed. In either case, the part # for the Autospeed, itself, should be the same--a -2 was also offered later ( as standard equipment with the DS model)--it is interchangeable with the -1 in earlier phono's--but not vise/verse.
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Hi Tom,
I have no idea where to find a rebuilt one--I have not rebuilt one in over 40 years--
The transistorized unit was offered as both a "kit", ( which included other parts that may, or may not have been needed), and as, factory installed. In either case, the part # for the Autospeed, itself, should be the same--a -2 was also offered later ( as standard equipment with the DS model)--it is interchangeable with the -1 in earlier phono's--but not vise/verse.
Ron Rich

OK, thanks for all the information, I'll try Google, E bay, my local pin ball game room, arcade games, etc. I am glad you told me to open my manual. I was able to see the light, so to speak. LOL.

Tom

Tom,
You might try the listed suppliers above---It would be my guess that anyone of them would have some, as most people don't care about that "feature" today-- Ron Rich

Just as a note, I've had my AY with the transistorized speed unit for a few months now. I read the whole manual several times when I first got it and noted the venting warnings. My AY lives on very thick, dense carpet and the manual requires a 1" gap to the floor for venting. I discovered it had almost no gap at all.

My fix was to carefully lay the AY on its right side and cut 4 rectangles out of scrap 1" plywood a bit larger than the castor screw base, then screw the plywood to the jukebox and the castors to the plywood. This raised the whole jukebox an inch which provides good underneath venting. I don't know if your unit lives on carpet or not, but I found that to be a good venting solution.

I've seen other transformers smoke and drip tar before and know that unique acidic lingering smell. I hope you get your AY back into a condition you consider acceptable.
I've spent some time on eBay, mainly looking for a Wall O Matic and browsing Seeburg items. I've seen a few speed units there but are selling for more than I'd pay for. But I guess the price vs. worth is arbitrary. I got a Wall O Matic for a fair price on eBay... as far as eBay auctions go and I love it. (Note that it arrived as nice looking junk and needed a lot of repairs which was not disclosed in the auction). I think most people wouldn't pay auction price for a Wall O Matic but I really wanted one.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT advocating getting a speed unit from an online auction. If you get a speed unit from one of those places then be prepared to heat up your soldering iron and get out your meter for repair before hooking it up to your jukebox. I don't know your technical skills and things like soldering irons and meters turn most people away. I think if you have reasonable confidence in your general electronic testing skills then auction may be an option. Otherwise not.

Rob mentioned Seeburgs are well built but under fused. Your advice from experience is greatly appreciated, and can you please give some specific places where fuses should be added. This thread had me checking my own fuses and found someone put an 8a into my selection receiver where it should have 3.5a. A real disaster in waiting for sure. I put in a 2a and it runs my single WOM just fine.

Ron Rich wrote:Tom,
You might try the listed suppliers above---It would be my guess that anyone of them would have some, as most people don't care about that "feature" today-- Ron Rich

Hey Ron, I located a Transistorized Auto speed unit. The part is--TASU2---code B. It is in working condition I am told.

Can you tell me if this part (listed above) will be compatible with my 1961 Seeburg AY160 before I buy it?

My manual only lists the ASUI and the TASU1. You had indicated a "2" was added later. I "think" the unit is from a DS 100/160.

Thanks for any help,

Tom

SteveFury wrote:Just as a note, I've had my AY with the transistorized speed unit for a few months now. I read the whole manual several times when I first got it and noted the venting warnings. My AY lives on very thick, dense carpet and the manual requires a 1" gap to the floor for venting. I discovered it had almost no gap at all.

My fix was to carefully lay the AY on its right side and cut 4 rectangles out of scrap 1" plywood a bit larger than the castor screw base, then screw the plywood to the jukebox and the castors to the plywood. This raised the whole jukebox an inch which provides good underneath venting. I don't know if your unit lives on carpet or not, but I found that to be a good venting solution.

I've seen other transformers smoke and drip tar before and know that unique acidic lingering smell. I hope you get your AY back into a condition you consider acceptable.
I've spent some time on eBay, mainly looking for a Wall O Matic and browsing Seeburg items. I've seen a few speed units there but are selling for more than I'd pay for. But I guess the price vs. worth is arbitrary. I got a Wall O Matic for a fair price on eBay... as far as eBay auctions go and I love it. (Note that it arrived as nice looking junk and needed a lot of repairs which was not disclosed in the auction). I think most people wouldn't pay auction price for a Wall O Matic but I really wanted one.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT advocating getting a speed unit from an online auction. If you get a speed unit from one of those places then be prepared to heat up your soldering iron and get out your meter for repair before hooking it up to your jukebox. I don't know your technical skills and things like soldering irons and meters turn most people away. I think if you have reasonable confidence in your general electronic testing skills then auction may be an option. Otherwise not.

Rob mentioned Seeburgs are well built but under fused. Your advice from experience is greatly appreciated, and can you please give some specific places where fuses should be added. This thread had me checking my own fuses and found someone put an 8a into my selection receiver where it should have 3.5a. A real disaster in waiting for sure. I put in a 2a and it runs my single WOM just fine.

Hi Steve, thanks for your input and support for the problem with my Seeburg,

Tom

Hey Ron, I located a Transistorized Auto speed unit. The part is--TASU2---code B. It is in working condition I am told.

Can you tell me if this part (listed above) will be compatible with my 1961 Seeburg AY160 before I buy it?

My manual only lists the ASUI and the TASU1. You had indicated a "2" was added later. I "think" the unit is from a DS 100/160.

Thanks for any help,

Tom