Cleaning/adjusting volume pot with planetary drive

El Ramos · by **El Ramos** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:21 am

I added a PRVC (Powered Remote Volume Control) and motor to my Seeburg Stereo Showcase jukebox, but the motor could hardly budge the volume pot.

The pot was very dirty, so I tried cleaning it (both pots and the "planetary drive") with cleaner/degreaser, but that just made everything even more stubborn. Do I need to lubricate or adjust them in some way?

by **Ron Rich** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:37 pm

This can be somewhat "tricky"--here is how i do it--
First, you must remove the plate holding the "three balls"--then press down on two of them, which will allow the third one to fall out--catch it !
Then the other two will be loose--remove all and remove ALL traces of any "grease" that has been installed--Re-grease with
CRC Stay-Lube Moly-graphite grease--small amount spread throughout the metal/plastic surfaces. Re-install the cleaned balls. Add one drop of SAE 20 wt. ND oil to the end of the shaft that you turn "by hand". Now for the "tricky" part. "Adjust" the ball retaining plate (OK--bend the dam thing) so that there is minimal pressure on the balls--but enough that the pin will turn them, when inserted. LOTZA fun-- Ron Rich

El Ramos · by **El Ramos** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:10 pm

I don't have the exact lubricants you recommended, so I tried the closest I had. I lightly applied some lithium grease to the ball bearings, put a few drops of Zoom-spout oil inside the pots, and vigorously rotated the pot many times.

I wasn't brave enough to bend the planetary track, but I didn't have to: the oil and grease did the trick. The pot now turns smoothly through its full rotation by hand and when the motor turns the planetary drive. Thanks for the info!

by **Ron Rich** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:48 am

Word of caution--keep "lithium grease' and "Zoom Spout Oil', AWAY from jukeboxes--especially Seeburgs !
Ron Rich

El Ramos · by **El Ramos** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:40 am

I'm confused...A-1 Jukebox Parts recommends and sells both, and they seem very reputable. They had all of the parts for my jukebox and many, many others.

You're saying I should only use Stay-Lube Moly-graphite and SAE 20 ND oil instead? I used Zoom-spout oil and lithium grease for everything on my juke. What will happen if I leave them applied?

by **Ron Rich** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:00 am

According to studies done by Seeburg, a long time ago--they will gum up, and turn to "glue".
Ron Rich