Rockola 418 Write out carriage not starting.

Hi guys and gals.

I have developed a slight problem with my Rockola 418 Rhapsody II. I've just replaced the mechanism after a bit of a refurb, upon making a selection all seems to work normally up to the point of the write in solenoid making the selection and striking the pin..... At this point the arm actuates the wobble plate switch then nothing.......! Any ideas please the wobble plate switch seems ok although I have ordered another one. This is my first jukebox and it did work ok before I removed the mechanism.

Thanks in advance

Rich

Hi Rich,
There is no such thing as a "write-out" carriage (please read all "stickies", posted above)-- I assume you mean a "Read-out" carriage---if so, is the read out carriage hammer actually moving a "pin" to the "selected position", or not ? Do you have the "service switch" in the "operate position" ?
Ron Rich

Hi Ron

Sorry about that my typing mistake still getting used to the terminology yes I did mean the read out carriage

Yes the hammer is moving the pin and yes the service switch is in the operate position.

I do think there is a problem with the service switch though as a selection can be made with it in the off position is this normal? I've also ordered a new one of these.

Thanks again

Rich

Hi Rich,
Question--where are you "ordering"/getting "new" parts ??
If I recall correctly, one can always select, with the service switch in any position--
When the pin is "hammered", is it going fully into the "selected state", and is the Micro Switch on the top of the pinbank, actuated ? (small coil there should energize while the hammer is striking, "helper spring" should "help" move the wobble plate lever to the "full on" position).
If so, can you rotate the record basket using the service switch ?
Ron Rich

Hi Ron

When I say new I mean used (I think) I've ordered from a German company called stammen. There are a couple of people who break rockolas in the uk but it's very hit and miss as to weather the part you require is available when you want it.

Ok so the pin is hammered fully into the "select state" and the wobble plate lever is moving to actuate the switch.... I'm unsure of the purpose of the coil next to the switch as the leaver it's attached to seems to be operated by the pin being struck (excuse my ignorance in this matter) just to clarify should the helper spring be between the coil and the lever or behind the lever "helping" the lever towards the switch.......?

Thanks once again for your patience

Rich

Hi Ron

Forgot to say the record basket won't rotate with the service switch in the scan position and I know this used to work......!

Hi Rich,
The Stammen's are great people to do business with ! ( but never tell Oliver I said so !).
If the basket will not move using the service switch, it sounds as if you have lost the "28 DC supply". Check the "mechanism fuse ( or CB)". If blown, replace it only ONCE, if it blows again, you need to troubleshoot the system and determine the cause prior to replacing it again. It also may be that you do not have the gripper bow "homed".
Check to see that one more more of the cam, Micro Switches, is not real close, but not quite at the point of "snapping". Ron Rich

Hi Ron

Found some time to have another go at this problem, have been a bit busy the last few weeks.

Situation now is that as soon as the scan switch is put to the operate position it momentarily turns on the turntable (don't think this should happen) then blows the mechanism fuse then nothing........

Any ideas thanks in advance

Rich

Rich,
If my memory serves me well, that's a sign that either the gripper motor, or basket motor is drawing too much current. UN-plug both--re-set the CB , and see if it trips again. If not, check the position of the gripper first, then plug in the basket motor, and see if the basket will move. If so, you have pinned it down to the gripper motor ( which is what I expect, you will find). Ron Rich

Hi Ron

With both unplugged it no longer blows the fuse but the turntable rotates in the operate position is this normal?

I take it that the correct position for the gripper is over the basket with micro switch one in bottom of the cam grove.

Thanks again

Rich

Have now plugged in basket motor and got it to make a selection but the turntable turns as soon as you put to operate position.

Basket does not turn in scan position only the turntable comes on.....

Thanks

Rich

Rich,
My pointy head can not comprehend what you are saying ??
How did you get it to "make one selection" if the basket won't turn ?
The TT motor is a 117 volt motor-- not in the circuit that's blowing the CB--
Ron Rich

Hi
The turntable and record basket will turn if you have a selection made at operate mode or if you move the switch to scan. Both are operated via the play control relay inside the power supply. The record basket should move in scan mode and in operate mode. In operate mode the striking of a selection lever should operate the wobble plate switch and start the whole process via the play control relay.
It may be that the basket motor needs cleaning or servicing, to be sure just check and clean all plug connection inside the machine
clones

Hi

Sorry about not making myself very clear this is my first attempt at a jukebox and it's all a bit new, I know I'm not far away from getting it right.

So, Jukebox powers up fine, credits go on fine, basket does not turn in scan position only the turntable rotates. As soon as I put it to operate the turntable starts (which I didn't think should happen until the play control relay was activated by the wobble plate switch) anyway it is then possible to press buttons and the carriage rotates and strikes the correct selection operating the wobble plate switch then that's it nothing more happens (the turntable is rotating all this time) apart from the turntable the rest of the mechanism I.e. Basket motor and carriage motor doesn't seem to power up. I hope this explains my problem.

I know this is prob something that's staring me in the face but like I said its a learning process which with your help I am actually enjoying.

Thanks for everything so far

Rich

Maybe firstly in the operate mode cancel any selection levers manually on the wobble plate that might be in the play position, this should stop the wobble plate switch actuating and stop the the play control relay and turntable. It might be that the wobble plate switch needs adjustment to release it after all selections are cancelled. From what i have seen on Rockolas if the slip rings are dirty on the read out side, the basket will move in operate mode but not in scan mode, it might stop and start, also the clean plusg and check for any loose connections
clones