Rheem/Califone speed problem

I have a Rheem/Califone 1835A that I bought on Ebay. Naturally there's a problem that wasn't mentioned in the ad. It refuses to come up to speed. I had a friend look at it and he says that once it's set at any speed (16,33,45,78) the additional speed adjustment (fast/slow) which is magnetic prevents the motor from reaching the propber speed. Any suggestions? I was wondering if the "fast/slow" adjustment can be removed? HELP!!

Maybe the adjustment needs a good, deep cleaning with some DeoxIt or similar product. It probably wouldn't hurt to disassemble the motor and clean/lube the appropriate sections. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

wingnut049 wrote:I have a Rheem/Califone 1835A that I bought on Ebay. Naturally there's a problem that wasn't mentioned in the ad. It refuses to come up to speed. I had a friend look at it and he says that once it's set at any speed (16,33,45,78) the additional speed adjustment (fast/slow) which is magnetic prevents the motor from reaching the propber speed. Any suggestions? I was wondering if the "fast/slow" adjustment can be removed? HELP!!

No, the magnetic braking cannot be removed.
The motor depends on it for proper speed.

Most likely the motor itself needs attention and cleaning-re lubrication.
Also the idler drive tire might be hardened and glazed, and need replacement.

Matt - My guy cleaned and re-lubed the bearings in the motor. Hope it doesn't need to be replaced.

I assume the calibration was done to the braking assembly too?
And the drive idler is pliable and has plenty of traction?

I've never seen a motor "go bad" on those things.

Hi Matt - The idler appears to be good. I can pretty much say that nothing was done to the braking system.

Matt - how do I calibrate the braking system?

There are two types of variable speed drive used in those old Califones.

Prior to about 1966 that used a Japanese variable speed motor made by "Starlight". this has a continuously variable speed knob and drives the table from the center. These were excellently quiet but did tend to drift upward in speed as they warmed up and due to the intermediate drive idler shifting slightly.

After this type, Califone went to a regular two pole motor with what was essentially a 50hz pulley and attached a ferrous metal disk to the bottom of the motor shaft. A PM magnet was shifted into place to drag down the motor's speed to the desired rate.

So, if the magnet is fully retracted the motor should be running approx 4% fast, if not it is likely that the sleeve bearings are glazed from neglect. Relubing will help, but only for a while. If this is the case, you may be able to de-glaze the motor's shaft with -careful- application of a fine abrasive such as crocus cloth.

In the mid-late 70's while I was at NYU, I earned extra cash repairing A-V equipment at a company that contracted with the NYC BoE.
I handled literally hundreds of phonos, tape machines and the older EIAJ video recorders. It was fun, improved my skills and paid well.

I still have two of the tol Califones, one of the last w/tube outputs (6L6's) (1965) the other a 1967 using DTG110 germanium outputs. The tube unit used a voltage doubler with slightly undersized hold capacitor and produces 16w/rms. If the hold is increased to 100mfd that jumps to 34 w/rms. The original 12in speakers aren't really up to dealing with that however.

The machines actually sound quite good if you add a magnetic pickup, but the arms are copy of an ancient Gray Research arm that placed all the balance forward of the fulcrum and thus limit you to a fairly stiff stylus.

Rob/NYC

Hi Rob -
Turns out that the motor just needed rebuilding. Works perfectly now. Thanks. BTW are you the same Rob in NY who's the jukebox guy?