Phonoland

Hello

My first post! I picked up a Rock-ola 414 Capri a few weeks ago with some issues. When I got it home the 3 micro switches on the gripper assembly were disassembled. I purchased a manual and put it back together. Not sure on the adjustments. It calls for you to turn the gripper motor until it jams? Mine never jams, Anyway it is back together and sort of works. I can make a selection, the gripper picks up the correct record, lays it on the turntable and the tone arm goes almost down then everything stops. I can move the switch from operate to scan and it will pick the record back up and spin the record holder.

Thanks

Not quite sure what you are attempting to say "--Microswitches were disassembled--" ? you mean disconnected from their mounting place, or, broken open ? . "--everything stops--" What's "everything" ? Is the turntable spinning and then it stops, or is the gripper motor stopping prior to releasing the tone arm ?
Ron Rich

The switches were out of the mounting bracket, when the tone arm gets about 1/4 inch from the record, the turn table stops and nothing else happens until I move the control switch from operate to scan then the gripper picks up the record and returns it to the holder.

My guess is that you either have one, or more of the switches, incorrectly adjusted, or possibly you have one, or more of them, that is defective. I would proceed to check the switches, with an Analog meter, then, if all are good, re-adjust them as per the manual--
You mentioned that the gripper would NOT "jam"--are you turning the motor by hand, with the power off?
If so, I don't understand what's happening, as it can only go so far in one direction ??
Ron Rich

Hi
As Ron said i would check the microswitches with an analog meter and when they are checked and found to be ok, i would assemble them back into place, loosen the gripper motor, make a selection and cycle the gripper arm manually so that you can see sort of in slow motion whether the sequence of operations are ok. Also check that the gripper motor slows down when it is putting the record onto the turntable, it may be possible that the gripper motor is stopping before the tone arm is put on the turntable and which may indicate a fault with a microswitch or motor, the motor may need to be disassembled, cleaned or replaced. Also check the large wattage resistor in the control box under the chassis and obviously any plug connections
regards
clones

Thanks for the info. I have a digital meter, will that work or does it need to be analog? I did check with my meter and they checked ok. Also I have the amplifier disconnected does that in anyway have anything to do with this issue.

Nope--a GOOD Analog meter is required to check the function of any type switch ! "Digitals" will "miss-inform" you --especially when the contact is "flaky". Amp should not enter into this, as far as I can re-call--Ron Rich

Ok Thanks for the info I will get a new meter and let you know the results.

This is how I check a micro switch with an analog meter.

I use the 100 ohm scale and test the NO side. I click the switch to see near zero ohms, then *slowly* release the actuator until it clicks back open. If the meter needle jumps while I'm moving the actuator then I consider it a bad switch. Same test with the NC side except it conducts until the actuator is pressed.

Steve,
You ALMOST "got it"--need to move the actuator slowly, in BOTH directions. NC contact MUST remain closed until it "clicks" --zero meter movement allowed, prior to click. Ron Rich

Ok picked up a new meter no 1 switch definitely bad, seems to explain a lot. Is is ok to ask where one might buy these switches?

Thanks

JC

JC,
Is it really a "MicroSwitch", brand, switch ? If so, your local MicroSwitch dealer will have it in stock, by the number listed on it--What ? You say that there is no local dealer in Jefferson, MO ?? I am not sure, but try Granger--they do stock some of them, and can usually order any others you want--. Also, you might Google, MicroSwitch/Honeywell ---If it's another brand switch, I do not know--unless you want to chance a used one--then refer to the used parts suppliers listed above. Ron Rich

Ok I replaced the no 1 switch and still have the same problem. If I read the manual right once the no2 switch is activated (falls into the grove on the cam) the gripper should slow down and the tone arm should be placed on the record then the no 3 switch is activated. I checked the 13 ohm resistor and it was blacken but tested good with no load but I replaced it anyway. I am stumped at the moment??

Hi
yes No. 2 microswitch allows for the gripper to be slowed down and the tone arm to be advanced towards the record and the resetting of the selection lever, after that microswitch no. 3 comes into operation which brakes the gripper motor and turns on the amp. Is the machine still stalling after the tonearm is advanced towards the record if so i would still loosen the gripper motor, make a selection, cycle the gripper arm manually so that you control each step and when microswitch no. 2 is operated keep an eye on the gripper motor and see if it is still operating and also that it slows down. As you move the cycle from microswitch no 2 to no 3 the motor should still be operating very slowing so the the record is released by the gripper arm, motor should stop at the microswitch no. 3. I think it could be the motor which may not be working fully enough to get to the end of the cycle, or else i would replace the other two microswitches.
regards
Clones

Thanks Clones

I was thinking about replacing the other 2 switches anyway so good call. I will try loosing the gripper motor and moving it manually and post the results.

JC