Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

Q&A about Talking Machines from the pre-electronic era (approx. 1885-1928).



Topic author
frenchmarky
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Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

by frenchmarky » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:18 pm

I've been working on this machine for a few weeks and it has been playable with single records since then. The motor has always had what I would call a normal 60 hz hum to it, just noticeable with the door open and being right up close to it. Now suddenly it has become MUCH louder even with the door closed, even vibrating and resonating thru the cabinet and rattling it. Is there any adjustments that can be made to it, or has something gone bad on it? Thanks!


Topic author
frenchmarky
Junior Member
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:15 pm

Re: Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

by frenchmarky » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:34 pm

Update: I found that if I simply pull on the forward lug wire on the right side a little with a screwdriver, the noise completely vanishes. So on the coils, I'll just dial in all the screw and bolt positioning/torque while it's running. Probably just one loose on there farther back. I'm glad it's not something serious or broken. I'll update with exactly what fixes it.


Topic author
frenchmarky
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Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:15 pm

Re: Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

by frenchmarky » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:14 pm

I retightened all the lug connections, and shoved a small snip of rubber between the lug strip and the coil on that side to act as a vibration absorber, nice and quiet now.


Joe_DS
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Re: Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

by Joe_DS » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 am

Hi Mark:

Many thanks for providing this information. I've heard from a number of collectors that motor hum is a frequent problem with many of the early electric Victor motors. Glad to know that there's a solution.

JDS


Topic author
frenchmarky
Junior Member
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:15 pm

Re: Victrola 10-50: loud motor hum

by frenchmarky » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:05 pm

There's probably more than one cause of hum in these things, but this fixed mine. I think they are just very finnicky and sometimes you may simply need to poke and prod them until the hum is addressed. Definitely want to make sure all the bolts having to do with the coils are nice and tight.

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