R85 extra transformer?

I picked up an R-85 Starlight. While the boards are away being checked and repaired, I'm turning to the rest of the machine. The wiring harness is a bit of a hack job in places (AMI amp replaced by a MHG Rainbow, it's a UK 240v machine). So far it's all a bit convoluted but generally making sense. I'm going to work through and tidy the harness up, but there's an extra transformer I can't find a use for. It's mounted underneath the wallbox interface, behind the lighting control (it's a Starlight). It doesn't look original, it takes in line voltage and puts out 50v.

The output of the transformer is just terminated in a connector which doesn't get used. It doesn't go anywhere and I don't think anything in there uses 50v. So I think I'm just going to unwire and remove it. Anyone have any idea why it might be in there?

thanks
Mark

Sounds like that's the transformer to operate the wallboxes.

Don't think so--wallbox transformers can not exceed a "nominal" 25 volts by law here in the USA, and I doubt any wallboxes were made that require 50 volts--- Ron Rich

I suppose it might be for a wallbox - the 50v is right off the secondary without any load and is AC, so by the time that got smoothed and/or converted to DC it would be lower. Anyway, it's not connected to anything now and I don't have a wallbox, so I'll remove it for now. It can always go back in another day if I discover something.

thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,

It will be a wallbox transformer.
Some were made for 30/50 volt output and some just 50 volt.
The 30/50 were duel voltage so they could be used on Ami, HGM, at 30 volts and MHG (Rainbow) on 50 volts. Needless to say the 50 volts was for the MHG wallboxes only.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Alan,
That's interesting--here, in the USA, as I stated "25VAC" is all you are allowed to run in "open" wiring here. Anything (except "70 volt CV" --audio) over that requires, it be either "special" cable ( a "Romex" brand type), or covered in pipe---Ron Rich

That's what I figured since the transformer was mounted under the wallbox interface. I also thought that a 50 volt output must have been for your UK applications.

Ron is right that here in the USA we can't use over 25 volts for open-wired devices like wallboxes. It's been that way here for decades. However, in my locality now they are now requiring jukebox external speaker wiring to be done by licensed electricians and IN CONDUIT!

Thanks for that Alan, I'll remove the transformer for the time being. You can have it as part payment for the boards which you are repairing (just joking!).

My kids are curious why I want a machine weighing 150kg that only plays 200 songs. They each have an iPod with thousands of songs on, weighing a few ounces.

Mark

Ken,
That happened year go in San Francisco--unions forced it for awhile--haven't heard it being enforced for years now-- Ron Rich

Hi Ron/Ken,

I know Seeburg wallboxes operate off of 25volts but how do you go with Rowe Ami when their wallboxes operate off of 28 volts?
Also why is 70 volt line exempt, it seems a double standard.

In New Zealand you have to get an electrician to do any job other than fitting a plug.

Being an ex electrical engineer I can understand the need for conformity but the industry has always been a mixture of double standards.

Here in the Uk we use fused plugs with 3, 5 and 13 amp fuses however retail outlets sell all plugs sold are fitted with 13 amp fuses. When I undertake Pat Tests for customers the results of fuses in appliances is frightening.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

In my locality nowadays even 70 volt speaker wiring must be in conduit. Oh the beaurocracy of it all now. All the department want their pockets lined with money for this and money for that or they shut you down.

I used to be able to string speaker wire in any building regardless of whether it was for 8 ohm speakers or 70 volt speakers. Now they want me to be a licensed electrician, take tests, and buy a $1,000 license! So now I can no longer run speaker wire (legally).

Hi Ken,

This is the world we all live in where pencil pushers rule the world!
Very sad, I always try and rebel, I guess it must be my age.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK