MAGNAVOX - W832/08/00 - 1 K 8890

Having trouble with my favorite Mag changer. I have listed the model #'s from the underside of the unit as well as the # pasted to the bottom of the cabinet. Here's the problem. Sometimes, during playback, the turntable seems to slow down a bit and then it returns to regular speed. I now this is the changer that only has the one flywheel (thanks, Bobby!) but I'm not sure that has anything to do with this problem. I think there must be a tension problem as the rubber wheel doesn't move to where I think it's supposed to. Any thoughts on an adjustment?

Get it re-lubed, oiled and serviced.... it's giving you a hint.

Just like MattTech said.

Since you have the platter removed, turn the power on and off to see how the idler wheel moves. It should push sorta outward to make contact with the underside inner rim of the platter. The pivot joints should move freely and there is a spring under there to retract(?) the idler wheel when the unit is turned off or it keeps tension/pressure against the platter when playing. Sorry Folks, can't remember everything since it's been a few years since I've worked on my units, and all of them are ailing in one form or another, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

There is also a screw on top of one pivot joint attached to the idler wheel that adjusts the height. Adjust it so that the wheel is hitting the center of the different sizes on the motor shaft and not overlapping onto the next size. The idler wheel and that linkage/pivot slides up and down on its own assembly, and if it doesn't move when you change the speed, then that rod needs to be cleaned/lubed(?). Excuse my terminology, I'm no expert here.

Once you have that platter removed and play with the on/off and speed selection, you can see the mechanics in operation.

BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Bobby Basham wrote:There is also a screw on top of one pivot joint attached to the idler wheel that adjusts the height. Adjust it so that the wheel is hitting the center of the different sizes on the motor shaft and not overlapping onto the next size. BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Bobby, while that may provide a "quick fix" for a shifted idler problem, it doesn't address the fact that the motor-mount rubber grommets are starting to deteriorate, causing the motor to sag lower.

The proper thing to do is replace the grommets.

I agree, MattTech.

It sounds like there is something else going on there that's not a height adjustment issue. I've got a changer that will play for several hours and then make an occasional "dip" in pitch. It only lasts for a second or two then it's back to normal. If the alignment was off, it should act up immediately.

If you can put your finger on the platter and it comes to a stop, then there's not enough pressure from the idler wheel contacting that inner rim. That torque should be strong.

I do have service manuals for the W600's, W620's and W700 seriess I can email those to anyone who needs them. Maybe boring reading for most, but I find it interesting in learning how these changers operate--BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona
rwbasham@yahoo.com (lower case)

Or it may be the one thing no one has mentioned: it may need a new idler wheel.

gerryu21220 wrote:Or it may be the one thing no one has mentioned: it may need a new idler wheel.

My original reply of:
"Get it re-lubed, oiled and serviced.... it's giving you a hint"
Should cover that as well.

Bozak wrote:Having trouble with my favorite Mag changer. I have listed the model #'s from the underside of the unit as well as the # pasted to the bottom of the cabinet. Here's the problem. Sometimes, during playback, the turntable seems to slow down a bit and then it returns to regular speed. I now this is the changer that only has the one flywheel (thanks, Bobby!) but I'm not sure that has anything to do with this problem. I think there must be a tension problem as the rubber wheel doesn't move to where I think it's supposed to. Any thoughts on an adjustment?

FWIW, I have the same model, and one thing I did ( in addition to replacing the grommets, cleaning and oiling the motor) was to shorten by a couple loops the tension spring for the idler wheel which Bobby mentioned earlier, to increase the pressure of the idler wheel against the inner rim of the platter.

MattTech wrote:

gerryu21220 wrote:Or it may be the one thing no one has mentioned: it may need a new idler wheel.

My original reply of:
"Get it re-lubed, oiled and serviced.... it's giving you a hint"
Should cover that as well.

That answer was just too vague. It also covers everyone else's answers and suggestions here as well, so why single me out?

gerryu21220 wrote:

MattTech wrote:

gerryu21220 wrote:Or it may be the one thing no one has mentioned: it may need a new idler wheel.

My original reply of:
"Get it re-lubed, oiled and serviced.... it's giving you a hint"
Should cover that as well.

That answer was just too vague. It also covers everyone else's answers and suggestions here as well, so why single me out?

Exactly!
Now you're catching on!

I believe that it should be relubed, oiled and serviced...but Matt didn't say by "who". At first, I was thinking about everyone running out and/or shipping all their stuff to the nearest money-hungry tech. If you can change your own oil, flush your radiator and top all fluids, then your vehicle has been serviced. That is not an "extensive" servicing, though. Some things need to be left alone, to be handled by professionals.

I think the many do-it-yourselfers here are looking for more detailed answers to their questions. I think that is the main scope of this board, and from the many successful "testimonials" on this board over the years is proof that many of us can do our own "servicing" with no formal training.

For those who are all thumbs and clueless about how these machines operate other than an on/off switch, then by all means, get it serviced by a professional (or someone who knows what they're doing). And there have been those here who have stated that their situation is way beyond their abilities and they solicit the help of others.

This Board is a treasure, and I would advise the newbie folks to check out the older postings/FAQ's and get a feel for the group and all the issues they've encountered. I read them all before thinking about posting a redundant question that has already been answered a gazillion times. Some folks just join for the moment to get a quick answer and you never hear of them again. --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

If the rubber motor mounts are failing, they can cause this.

I just wanted to thank everyone (there are so many of you) for helping me with my Magnavox. I apologize for not saying so sooner but I have been laid off my job and things have been just plain crazy! In the future, I will look a little more closely at previous posts before asking a question that has probably been asked before. I have currently taken on a major project: weeding through my record collection. I am hoping this will be the last time I do this on such a grand scale. It is a very tedious time consuming job. My record collection was at one time close to 10,000 pieces. I am now down to around 4,000 and my goal is to get to or near to 1,000 or less. Once again, thanks to all the kind folk out there in Phonoland. I hope to be visiting here a lot more often.

Guy's,
I know little or nothing about home phonographs--however upon reading this thread, I see something that set a "red flag" in my mind. IMHO, I suggest that one never "cuts a few turns" off ANY spring. You don't want to "stretch" them either. If something has been running with that spring,"as is for years", it is the LEAST likely thing to be the cause of the problem ! By changing the length of the spring you may "fix" the problem, for now. Doing so will mask the real trouble and make it almost impossible to ever get it 100% right again. Ron Rich