Rowe R86 Jukebox Repairs?

I'm waiting on the manual, but it looks like the manual just isn't getting here fast enough lol.

That's some great insight in how the amplifiers work on these systems. Like I said, I'm done with the jukebox until those two things get here, or I'll be broke buying parts that I may or may not need.

I noticed that you said you are waiting for a new opto switch---be advised that unless you ordered it by part number, from someone who knows the difference, it may not work. Ron Rich

Hi Ron,

I missed that malakai needed one of these, of course it has to be the white plug version and not the red plug that was used on the R-89 onwards version of the opto switch.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

http://www.rowejukeboxrepair.com/catalog.aspx?storename=abjukeboxrepair&DeptID=200575&ItemID=9050669&detail=1

That's the one I'm ordering

The manual arrived today, and I was able to confirm that it was definitely the opto switch that had gone out by reversing the 'INDEX' and 'HOME' pins in the harness and connecting it back to the mech controller. Doing this made the 'index' led light up on #99, indicating it was working, yet nothing on the 'home' led, which because it's in reverse, should have flashed in every record slot.

Did you look at the opto? There are 2 different light beams, one for home, one for index. They can cross or go out. Follow the book to adjust it properly. Adjust the board if nessassary.

Parts came in today. Got the new opto switch installed and calibrated, installed a couple replacement #73 bulbs, and it's working but needs a new belt.

Hello malakai,

Are you talking about the turntable belt? or the belt that stops the records from falling out of the bottom of the mechanism (guide & belt support assembly) part number40721201.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

I was wrong... I thought it needed a turntable belt, because the records were sometimes slowing down while playing. I was watching the turntable motor turn and couldn't visually see it slowing down and thought it was turning sometimes while the belt was not, but I found the problem; a loose connection between the power supply and the magazine and mech control assembly. I wouldn't have caught the problem if it had not been for the magazine not rotating correctly. That loose connection just made it not have enough juice all of the time to turn the motors. It played fine after taking care of that, but I'm still going to buy some replacement belts to have on hand.

I do have another question though. I have some WRC 200 wallboxes. Do I need a stepper box and a wallbox interface or just a wallbox interface to connect it to the system? Jukeboxparts.com has the 4-06372-02 interface for wra, wrb, and wrc wallboxes and cga-cgc steppers.

Hello malakai,

If you have a WRC wallboxes or WRA you need acording to the R86 Compatibility Chart an interface with part number 6-07467-2. You can tell if the interface is correct because it will have the following connections on it 28 volts, common, Signal and AC Control on it. You do not use a stepper but you will need a wall box transformer that has the connection for a AC Control relay on it. (after saying that you only need the AC control relay in circuit if you have multiple wallboxes).

Regards
Alan

I will only be using one wallbox. Where would I find this interface?

Check with jukeboxparts.com to determine if the connections on the inferface are as I decscribed, if not then the intererface is no good for your application, I had a couple of these interfaces many years ago and have not seen any since; you have to bear in mind that these interfaces were produced as early as 1979 to fit onto the CTI-2 for interface with wallboxes that were old hat at the time, WRC wall boxes were produced from 1968 to 1976.

You may be better going for a WRD wallbox and get the interface from jukeboxparts.com which should be the one you need.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

OK, thanks again for all of the help. I contacted jukebox parts, and they said they didn't have one that would work. I suppose I'm just getting way ahead of myself and still excited about getting the jukebox working. In reality, I am planning to put a wallbox in my dining room when the kitchen/dining room remodel is complete, but it could be a year or so before I get to that. If I run across the interface between now and then, I'll try to grab it. I've got the transformer already.

Got the problem with the connection to the mech and magazine corrected. I had to clean the plugs/connectors several times. Now, it's working, and no matter how much wiggling on it, it still seems to be fine.

Also got a lead on some possible wallboxes and wallbox interfaces in a warehouse in Florida. Maybe they'll have an automix kit too, although that's probably wishful thinking.

Does anyone know if this interface will work on any North-American wallboxes? It's an MCU 7 #A3 025 093 made by MHG, 1981. The only connections it has on it are Serial Data and Common, X6, for multiple wallboxes.