Phonoland

Hi Guys.
I have finally got around to start restoring my 1448 that I have had in storage for the last 5 years.
When it went into storage, it would make credit and make selection, select the correct record, but had no volume.
Now it seems to make credit (select light lights up) but the key board selections seem dead (on all rotations of the drum). I have done some googling, and have found that the accumulator cap has been replaced at some stage.
My question is, 1, what could be a possible fault of the first issue and, 2, when it did play, the no volume, it seemed that not all valves light up in the amp, I have replaced the one that doesn't but hasn't seemed to make a difference?
Any help would be great!
Cheers
Tim.

Tim, I've not owned or worked on more than a dozen Rock-Olas of this era, but I can outling some basic approaches. Any machine of this age (50+years) MUST be properly rebuilt to prevent damage. Amplifiers are especially critical due to the high voltages and heat the components are routinely exposed to.

If this is your first Rock-Ola I suggest obtaining a service manual. One such source is Victory Glass: http://2nd-sight.com/victoryglass/ManualsFrame.htm

There is a great deal of similarity among models of same selection number and within a few years of each other so it may be possible to borrow a manual of find enough info online. But if you are planning on keeping this machine longterm, I suggest obtaining a hard copy manual.

Since the R-o is an electro-mechanical selection machine it is reasonably safe to work on it even if the amplifier has not been rebuilt IF you disconnect the amp from the power supply.

If you are familiar with troubleshooting E-m type equipment and just want an amp schematic: http://www.verntisdale.com/Rockolaschem.htm
This person also sells kits of capacitors intended for specific models. If you are only going to do one, or a few machines a kit(s) may be the simplest solution. These older Rock-Ola amps are very simple, so the rebuild can be done in less than a hour, provided you have some skills with soldering and removing old components.

Most important first step is --check all fuses for correct type and rating. This is both a safety and troubleshoot measure. Often a fuse of higher rating was placed to 'get it running" when some failure occurs. This must be checked out and the underlying problem addressed.

Typical areas are the Low-DC fuse. Rock-Ola gripper motors often develop shorted armatures turns causing the motor to draw too much current. Sometimes it is possible to simply clean out the carbon dust from the motor and clear it from between the commutators to get the motor running well again. Often though, a rebuilt armature or subbed motor is required.

Amp B+ fuses are a real indicator of dangerous conditions. A blown or too high fuse here means a complete troubleshooting and, in the case, a rebuilt --before-- power-up with a new fuse is attempted.

Rob-NYC

Thank you for your help Rob, much appreciated! I do have a manual for a 1446, and was told that it is pretty much identical to the 1448, so that's a start.