SEEBURG WALL BOX 3W-1

HI, I HAVE A SEEBURG HF100R JUKE BOX, but I am having trouble with the Wall Box. When selecting a record from the Wall Box, it fails to select the right record. The Juke Box has been cleaned and serviced, but the problem remains. In detail can someone tell what needs to be fixed. Also I am from Syracuse NY., does anyone know of a repair guy close to my area. Looking forward for your help. Thank You---Preston

Hi Preston,
It well could be a wallbox problem, but most likely it's a problem in the stepper section, of your phonograph.
Which model phono do you have this connected to ? Ron Rich

Preston, the first step is to determine whether the wallbox or stepper is at-fault.

Testing the wallbox is easy. Disconnect it from the machine. Connect you ohmmeter from the chassis ground screw and the -blue- signal screw. Then, with no buttons pressed, turn the wiper by hand and note that you see a low-no resistance connection at each rivet on the wafer as the arm passes over it.
Ideally there should not be more than a few ohms measured at any rivet, but the system is reasonably forgiving and even several dozen ohms will be OK IF the stepper itself is working well.

Stepper: First order of business is to make sure you have a good 2050 tube. Look at the top inside of the tube, in the area around the cathode (orange glow) you should see a deep violet aura when you touch the signal wire to chassis ground. Pale, sky blue indicate a weak tube.

Check the 100 ohm resistor on the tube plate circuit. Be sure that the large 5mfd capacitor in the 2050 plate circuit has been replaced.

Take a small flat blade screwdriver and use it to move the stepper wheels. They should easily snap back to their "home" positions from any point when released. A drop of light oil on the bearing shaft of each stepper may loosen them up, if not, the contact wafers will have to be remove and tarnish removed from the contacts with a non-abrasive polish. The wafer must then be realigned with the contact wiper when reassembled.

Gently press down on the edge of each stepper "clapper" to the point where the toggle is not touching either the wheel teeth nor the top of the slot. While holding it there gently move the toggle from side-to-side and be sure it instantly snaps back. These steppers are rated to be accurate at a pulse width of 1/100th of a second. Seeburg operates them at 1/25th so there is ample headroom, however all parts must be free moving.

When diagnosing the stepper is is important to note if the miscount occurs only in one stepper wheel -or both. Does it sometimes play a higher letter-number? this indicates that the wheels are gummy and not homing. Or does it always err on the low side by selecting a lower letter or number.

Beyond these tests and measures requires a bit more skill and some common sense -it is easy to make a mess of a stepper by tinkering. You'll need to assess your abilities to deal with a somewhat delicate electro-mechanical device, or turn it over to someone else. The good news is that once properly serviced, steppers are quite reliable and likely wont need attention for many years. I have nine old Seeburgs with a total of 93 V3W wallboxes and another 21 Rowe AMI wallboxes in two other places. While I'm not wild about still using steppers in 2014, if properly serviced they are quite reliable -even in heavy service.

Rob/NYC

Hi Guys, thank you for your responses. Rich, If your asking what juke box I have, its a Seeburg 100 hf100.

Hi Rich, I left out a letter, its Seeburg HF100R--Preston

Hi Preston,
Rob's advise is excellent--just about what I do--will work on the WSR-7, or the WSR-5, which ever is installed in your "R"--
Ron Rich

One thing I did omit in my 'essay" -the stepper dogs. These are the little cogs that hold the stepper gears in-place while the clapper-toggle raises for another stroke. These often get gummy and thus won't snap down fast enough to hold the gear. When this happens you lose a step or a few. The result is a lower letter or number.

Again, pulses must be strong and everything must be free running for accurate operation.

Rob

Hi Guys,
Couple of "other things" omitted--that I just thunked of--
The 300 uf cap, and the 18 ohm resistor, that changes value ( pretty sure it did this in the WSR-7's). Ron Rich

Hi Rob-NYC and Ron Rich, Thank you so much for your information. I shared this information with David Wilson his email is dajwilson2001@yahoo.com. He is a repairmen for Juke Boxes, pinball etc.. He was aware of this and came today and hooked up Wall Box. We replaced the 2050 tube-(old one's base was a little loose). He replaced a capacitor and everything is a go. Check out Dave on his Web site maybe some other friends her need a good repair guy. While I got ya friends, what's the best needle for my Juke box?, and I would still like to find a closer repair guy, so if you or any other friends out there have any suggestions please let me know, and thank you both for your kind help. God Bless---Preston, Syracuse NY 13212---

Glad you "got it"---
The "best needle" for your phonograph, depends on which cartridge is installed.
Check the "stickies' above, and look at the photos--you can then order the correct type.
Ron Rich

Hi Ron NYC,Ron Rich, The last two days I tried out my Wall Box, it worked fine when the repair person was here last friday. But the last two days it hit on some selections, but by-passes others. It also stops at selections on the bottom row that were not selectred. Help again please!, thanks guys. Also anyone out there know of any juke box repair men near Syracuse NY, please let me know. Preston--

Hi Rich, by the way I have a red seeburg cartridge what kind of needle would be best, thanks Preston--

Hi Preston,
There are two of us--Rob(in)NYC, and me, Ron Rich, in California, that have attempted to help you---
As I understand your problem, it would be my guess that the person who repaired it last, did not get it done 100%.
Not knowing what was/was not done, I can't tell you what to do--except call him back ?
If you are looking for someone else--check the list above this post, in the "stickies", as there maybe someone there--
Ron Rich

PTL8GRANDKIDS wrote:Hi Ron NYC,Ron Rich, The last two days I tried out my Wall Box, it worked fine when the repair person was here last friday. But the last two days it hit on some selections, but by-passes others. It also stops at selections on the bottom row that were not selectred. Help again please!, thanks guys. Also anyone out there know of any juke box repair men near Syracuse NY, please let me know. Preston--

The best I can do from a distance is to ask you to again observe the top of the 2050 tube while a wallbox is sending (select K-10 for the maximum number of pulses) and look for a deep violet glow at each pulse. If you see a light blue, the tube is weak.

Next, look at this pic of the underside of a similar selection receiver (not my site):

http://www.jukebox-world.de/Forum/Bilde ... -L6-08.jpg

You see a large rectangular, silver box riveted to the chassis side? This is a 5 mfd non-polarized capacitor in the stepper tube circuit and -must- be replaced for reliable operation.

Rob/NYC

Hi Rich AND Rob, I thank you for your responses. The repairs were a new 2050 tube,5mfd capacitor which was replaced outside of the rectangular box, steppers clogs serviced. I checked the tube today and it displays a violet glow when when pressing k-10. I will call the repair person back, but I'am trying to learn and also assist the repair person. I know its hard when your dealing with someone that is a rookie on this matter. Ron you refer to"stickies" where is this info located on this site. --Thanks Preston---