RCA Victor model AP-1 automoble record changer

I am looking on installation information for an RCA Victor model AP-1 automobile record changer. I believe that it is from the 1950's, early 1960's. I have a schematic from the imperial auto club web site but this is different from what I have in that the AP-1 has what appears to be a seperate 12 volt power lead and a shielded audio cable. A picture appears at http://ookworld.com/hiwayhifi.html near the bottom labeled figure 913.

Thanks

Rod

Rod, the answer is at the site in the link.



The 45-rpm phonograph originally was developed for use with two specific models of cars. The auto radios that came with these cars had a special phono jack to accommodate the phono's audio cable plug. The phonograph is available now for use in any car. As such, the unit represents an interesting repair to the service technician who must provide a suitable phono jack for the auto radio with which it is to be used. In most cases, the phono-jack installation will be conventional. It should be tied between the hot side of the auto radio's volume control (the input of the first audio stage) and ground (chassis or bus, depending on the radio).

The phonograph operates on the car's 12 volt DC system. You have a power cable lead for the 12 volt hookup. The shielded cable is the output from the phonograph which plays thru the car radio. Just what are you trying to do? Test or installation. As the article reads only a few cars had the audio jack on the car radio, others needed a service tech to add a jack or hard wire the audio cable. As article indicates in the link, this RCA AP-1 is a 1960 item and had a short run. This player if working well would be neat to use with a 12 volt DC supply and pre-amp/amplifier in the home. Fourteen 45 rpm records in one load...better than my players.

Bill

Thanks Bill
I can see in the link how it is supposed to connect, but in tracing the audio wiring things don't look correct to me. I was looking for the correct schematic to double check myself.
In the record changer that I am looking at it appears that the power lead switches between the phono cartridge leads with the on/off switch and that the power is coming in on the audio cable. It does look like there has been some soldering done to one or more leads that is not original. A friend has this unit and is planning on installing it in his 1962 Cadillac, but I wanted to make sure of the connections before installing so I didn't damage anything.
He said that he and his friends had these record changers during the 60's and a radio shop in the San Jose area charged them $10 to add the audio plug to their radios and connect everthing up.

Thanks
Rid

Yes, a good schematic would help. Power (12 VDC) does not come in the audio cable unless they only have one cable, at least three conductors. One lead for common ground, one lead input for the 12 V, and one lead for audio output. You can follow the leads from the cartridge, normally to a terminal strip. Power obviously goes to the motor. The power leads may share the same terminal strip. If there's a terminal strip, the ground lead from the cartridge and the ground lead from the motor will go to the same terminal on the strip. There's a small lamp in the power circuit acting somewhat as a fuse for overload. That's about all I can think of...and I could be all wrong.

Thanks
My friend is going to get the record changer to me and I will just have to trace everything out and create my own schematic to determine what is what.

Rod

Remember that grounding is accomplished through the car frame.

Also note that some cars made before 1960 had 6 volt batteries or positive ground. Make sure your player is 12 volt, negative ground, before installing it in a modern car.