Seeburg C Motor Fails to start

Hi,

With the help from people in this forum, I have just completed my restoration of a Seeburg C.

It looks and sounds great, however, ocassionally, the motor fails to run when I select a record. If I push the turntable by hand, it starts and runs fine. The motor appears stong and runs at a constant speed. I did not rebuild the motor, as it appeared to be working fine.

I have lubed everything I can find.

My manual says to 'clean and adjust the "O" contacts'. I have done this, but it still will not run without a 'little push', on occasion.

This only happens about once in every 10-15 starts.

Am I missing something?

Any advice appreciated.

Kind Regards

Gordon.

If you are sure that the "O" contacts are good then the problem is probably the capacitor itself.

Those old style mechs do a cold start at the point where the clamp is being opened. That is the point of greatest strain in the changing cycle. if the cap has a weak section (both are used at this time) it will be sluggish or stall.

If you can measure capacitance, disconnect the to section wires (you can leave the common) and see how close to spec the sections are.

Alternately, try bridging-in a non-polarized cap of around 1mfd @ 150+ volts across each section in turn. Mylar is fine for this test.

Rob/NYC

Rob,

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Unfortunately, I don't know how I can measure the capacitance.

Regards

Gordon.

Gordo,
Several factors involved here--besides the motor cap---
1. Which brand motor is installed in that phono ?
2. Are you 100 % sure that the "O" contacts are making with enough force, every time, and are not "pitted" ?
3. Is the thrust bearing adjustment on top of the motor oiled properly, and correctly adjusted ?
4.Is the motor coupling stiff/hard, and, if good, or motor removed, was it PROPERLY (re) installed ?
5. Is the thrust adjustment on top of the clutch correct ?
6. Is the thrust plate/end ball bearing, for the turntable worn out ?
7. Does that mech have a fiber, or nylon drive gear ?
8.Probably, the most important-- Did you lubricate the phono with the correct oil ?
Ron Rich

Ron,

I will answer in the same order as your questions.

1. It is a General Electric motor (I did not rebuild it as I thought it was fine).
2. The points were not perfect and a little pitted (they were clean), so I filed them a little and adjusted and checked that a good contact was there.
3. I cleaned and re-oiled.
4. I loosened 'grub' screws and retightened.
5. I cleaned and re-oiled.
6. The ball appears OK.
7. I installed a new fiber gear during the resto. I purchased a new one from Victory Glass as I had to change from 60 Hz to 50Hz (for Australian use).
8. I used a light oil.

The news is ALL GOOD! I ran about 100 records and it did not stop once. I suspect it was the pitting in the 'O' points.

Thanks very much for your advice.

Next problem....the juke does not select every song from the Selector. I removed and cleaned every part (100 armatures, points and springs) of the electric selector. Some are sticking and require a 'double push of the selector letters' for it to select. I suspect they may be a little stiff and hope they will loosen with use. I don't really want to go through that task again.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

Regards

Gordon.....

Hi Gordo,
Glad it's working !
Interesting--I have never seen a General Electric motor used --- Can you snap a photo of that ?
On the new fiber gear--a LIGHT coat of graphite grease is what the factory used. If dry, this could account for the motor non-start problem.
Ron Rich
"Light oil", IMHO, you may have a problem here--I strongly recommend only, 20 wt. ND, oil be used.
Ron Rich

Ron,

Thanks for the tips.

I should use my glasses more often. I took a photo of the motor and it is a 'Bodine Electric Company' motor.

Cheers

Gordon.