Help with a Dual 1218

Hi!

I'm a bit new to the whole phonographs and vinyl scene, but I am loving it every step of the way

A friend gave me a Dual 1218 turntable in nonfunctional condition, which I have revived to (almost) it's full potential. While it works perfectly with the single-play spindle, I have not been able to fix is the multiplayer mechanism. I took apart and oiled the multi stacker spindle, which works perfectly. The problem is, it will drop a record, play it for about two seconds, then start it's cycle again (Head lifts off the record, next record drops, resume playing, etc.) It will repeat this until it runs out of records on the stack, after which point it will attempt to turn off. At this point, the head will return to it's resting post, the motor will shut off, and inertia will keep the platter spinning for several rotations. The mechanism will then reengage, lifting the head off of the rest post, holding it still for a few seconds, then return it to it's rest and shutting off the motor. This process will also repeat indefinitely.

One thing I have found that bumping the speed up to 78 during either of the cycles will force it to work properly.

Any ideas? All input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Any input?
Here's mine.

I wonder why you didn't search out a tech experienced on Duals.
Being one myself, I don't condone anyone without the proper level of knowledge AND service data to work on (aka mess with) Duals, or really any changer.

Obviously "taking apart" the stacker spindle didn't do you any good - it's because that's not the problem.

Just like driving down a road without knowing where you're going..... waste of time.
And trying to explain the working of such machines is also futile - who knows what's been tinkered with in these things.

So no, I can't give you any service advice now - complex and/or critical adjustments have been changed - I've no way of seeing by how much or what, unless it's on my bench.
There's a certain procedure that is needed to be followed on these things - DIY online isn't the answer.

I've just got done un-crapping-up another German record changer that some goonball supposedly "worked on" - and sold to someone on Ebay as "refurbished/pristine" - what a joke - superglued parts (dorm room mechanics) and bent trip assemblies - (they tried to make it fit).
.....handmade pivot assemblies (musta been gleened from watching youcanfixit.com)

Invest in the economy - don't be so cheap - promote capitolism - take it to a real tech.

Thank you for your warm welcome!

First off, I didn't take it to a "real" tech in the first place because I am a student working two jobs to pay my way through college. Record players and other indulgences are at the bottom of the budget, and quite honestly there isn't much left when my paychecks get down there.

That being said, I absolutely cannot stand sort of "stuff-and-go" repair job that you explained earlier. I realize and respect that the manufacturer created it a certain way for a reason,and stay within those original parameters as much as is absolutely possible. (Just FYI one of my jobs is a computer repair tech, so as you can imagine details are very important in my line of work.)

Actually, taking apart and oiling the stacker spindle did a lot of good, it went from jamming and not dropping the record to functioning perfectly. It is now the auto changer mechanism that i am having problems with.

The extent of my repairs to the turntable are as follows: Oiling all moving parts, cleaning the motor switch contacts, changing out the wiring from the head to the mute switch, cleaning the mute switch contacts, and replacing a broken spring (the one that snaps the start/stop switch back to neutral)

Other than spending money that I don't have, do you have any useful advice that you can give me?

Useful advice?

You've already "oiled every moving part" - something not to do.
That translates to a complete mess now, and the damage has been done.
Nothing any tech can suggest will solve the problem(s) at this point, because more are now in place.

Sell it on Ebay, since you need money - I'm sure some sucker will buy it - and hey, list it as "professionally refurbished".

BTW, computers and record changers are two different things.

I'm done.

Thanks for your advice, wanker. It's certainly nice to see a professional attitude from a pro. Now I Really want to take it to "someone who knows what they're doing."

computersam001 wrote: All input is greatly appreciated.

Sam, if the crude and unfortunate response here hasn't put you off, try this site:

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/dual.shtml

They have a number of manuals for Dual and you should be able to find one at, or very close to your model.

And no, you haven't committed some mortal sin by oiling the machine, even though there are certain linkages particularly in the trip link that must be -clean and dry- to function properly, it isn't hard to remedy overzealous oiling.

As long as there are no bent or otherwise damaged parts you'll be able to get that turntable working. I've repaired electronics since I was a child in the 1960's, record changers are just a matter of common sense and studying the operation.

Rob-NYC

Rob-NYC wrote:............... record changers are just a matter of common sense and studying the operation.

Rob-NYC

That's just IT....!
Not many people have the "common sense" or experience to understand the workings of such things.
Once it's been fiddled with by some determined soul lacking understanding, it's impossible to give advice ON THE INTERNET in any shape or form to correct the problem(s).

I've heard every story and every attempt at trying to validate the tired, overused phrase: "It's not rocket science" that I could barf.
Please, spare me that already....

I've SEEN the results of such amateur tinkering, however well intentioned it was - over and over again.

Ebay, Craig's List... Flea Markets.... It might look nice and shiney, but wait till you get it home and see the GUTS.

Mind you, I'm not afraid of work, nor making money from it either...
But putting MANY more hours into straightening out someone's MESS is just downright annoying.

The dorm-room wannabe tech's toolbox: An Ikea storage box with WD40 and Superglue.

Asides from basic maintenence, I refuse to type out ONLINE directions pertaining to critical adjustments and assemblies...... it's just not worth it, because DIY'ers don't understand and never will.
I'm not about to frustrate myself because someone put a thrust washer on the wrong side of a "C" clip and caused a malfunction that I cannot see nor diagnose.
You can HAVE those threads, because they'll go ON and ON forever - with other blind chimers-in offering suggestions to no end.

So with that said, I hold firmly to my own belief that DIY'ers should stay the hell out of some things and let a pro handle it.

Hi Matt,
Gotta agree 99.9 % with you-- I am willing to go so far to help anyone--DYI'er, or pro, IF, they have the skill, and IF, they have put in the time it takes to study the manuals---I have gone so far as to write two manual "supplements", in order to get un-written info out there. I am sure not getting "rich" on the sales of these, and neither was my late friend Tony Miller.--We just wanted to "help".
I have had "people" purchase a book and turn around and ask a question that, is in the service manual, or I have covered in detail ( often in the first 10 pages) of one of my books. In these cases my answer is probably considered "crude, and unresponsive", as I usually say "RTFM", as I surely am not going to re-type the already printed pages--Ron Rich

The purpose of this site is to help like minded people who take an interest in records and players repair and maintain their sets even if they are not pros. Otherwise all that is needed is a list of techs. You seem to want to learn about this and do the repair correctly and the best place to start is with the manual. Duals can be complicated but that is what you have so that is where you start. Download the manual, study it and proceed to effect the necessary repairs. Not oiling certain parts that require "no oil"is critical. You can un-oil the parts you inadvertantly oiled. Once you get this thing going you will love listening to vinyl moreso over digital. Good luck.

Oiling the trip parts caused this. In most changers, trip parts must be dry and clean to function.

Also, the changer must be level, or gravity causes the changer to trip.