SEEBURG LPC 480 JUKEBOX

My LPC 480 has a problem, the unit will scan to the selected 45rpm record, pick up the record to the turntable but stops halfway into the turntable and just sits their...no turntable play...I have also tried it without the record it clamps but the turntable does not operate (turn)..
Can anyone advise of problem and solution
Al

How funny, I was just dealing with this problem. The issue for me was in the relay.

Anyway. starting with the LPC series, Seeburg made their jukeboxes native 33 1/3 play instead of 45, and it uses an auto speed to change the frequency applied to the motor when a 45 is played. Try cleaning the contacts in the auto speed relay, or you may need a new capacitor kit for it. Other people should have more ideas if mine don't work.

Hi Al,
Yep--can do !
(well--that's what yo axked ! )--if you are axking, WHAT, to do, let me know, and I'll attempt to advise you--
(or someone else will do so, before I see your request)
Ron Rich

Well, Flying Scotsman here is a simple test to help narrow down the problem area:

When the mech stops to play a 45rpm record and dies just as stylus setdown occurs, pull back an inch or so on the pilot clamp that presses the record against the turntable. You should hear a click in the speed unit and the motor will start up again.

If you hear the click in the speed unit but no transfer to 45rpm it means:

1) Pitted contacts on the relay blades.

2) Dead speed unit. These are very simple but there are two main failure points. One is the large capacitor and the other is the variable resistor on the front of the unit that trims the speed.

The relay in the speed unit transfers the motor from the 120VAC line to the speed unit's oscillator which feeds the motor approx 90VAC @84hertz to make it run at 45rpm. If the relay doesn't operate the machine should continue at 33rpm. My guess is that the speed unit has failed.

Along with that is the fact that this machine is now 50 years old. If the electronics have not been rebuilt in the last twenty or-so years you are risking damage from failing capacitors.

The mechanism will also need lubing with a decent 20weight non-detergent oil.

Here is a lube chart:

http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/Rob-N ... ort=2&o=18

Rob-NYC

Hi Guys,
In the hundreds, or more "Autospeeds", I have rebuilt, I can not ever re-call "pitted contacts", being a problem, UNLESS, one of "Rob's friends" had been in there, "adjusting" the blades ! I have seen all other types of failures--including the "speed adjustment pot", but I also attribute that problem to "Rob's friends" ! Guy's --word of advice ( which I place on all Autospeeds, I rebuild)--Use ONLY a small screwdriver ( on pot)--use NO "inward pressure!" Ron Rich

Thanks guys for the input and Ron I could use some advise on this problem

Al

Hi Al,
Despite Rob's best advice, I also dis-agree with pulling back "AN INCH--", on the clamp arm disc--way, way, too much, IMHO, might stretch that spring beyond it's limit ! Other then that, did you pull back as he suggested (1/4 in is more then enough !)--if so what happened--did you hear the relay "click"--did the motor start, or not ?
Also, when was the last time the phono was properly oiled, with, of course, the proper oil ?
Ron Rich

Ron, do a little measurin'. The clamp normally retracts more than an inch to clear the pilot. On LPC there is a bracket that supports the (ten-ton) mech cover and restricts opening the clamp enough to damage the spring. However, I do very much agree that people need to careful in this area. If that spring is over stretched it will have to be replaced. There is no Gepetto fix for that one.

Rob

Hi Rob,
OK--got out my measurin' stick--near as my sore back and blind eyes wood tell me--clamp arm needs to move approx. 1/16-1/8 of an inch to trigger that AS switch, on/off. TOTAL movement at the top of the clamp arm is approx 1 inch--but total travel of the spring is MUCH less due to placement and angles of the spring (my GUESS is about 1/3 of an inch). I have replaced a whole flock of 'em, because they apparently were "overstretched", even on phonos that have the cover bracket on them-- and I gotz nomor --Ron Rich

Follow up on LPC480 : Oiled and cleaned contacts on :
( A) Mechanism.
( B ) Tormat Control Center.
( C) ) APU1.
( D ) Service Switch
( E ) Auto Speed.

* await delivery of Auto Speed Capacitor kit.

PROBLEM: On selection of C1 and N6 the record transfer arm stops 80 percent of travel to the turntable with turntable not turning. Pulled back slightly on the clamp arm AUTO SPEED RELAY operates and turntable turns.
On selection U4 the transfer arm again travels 80 percent to the turntable, turntable does not turn, pull back on clamp arm and the turntable still not turning.
On both operations no record was used in the guide case
Tried the same operation with records, problem still there.

Scot,
I am not quite clear on the "lift arm" action-- does it fail to come up all the way only on those selections, or does it do the same on every selection--and, if no record is in the slot, how are you assessing the "80 %" ???
As far as the TT stopping, that's what I would expect it to do, if the Autospeed is failing, as the relay was energized. BTW--If "Granger" operates in Canada, they stock that cap--, also, any industrial supply house should, as it is used in many commercial apps.
Ron Rich

Ron, The transfer arm head fails to come all the way in the guide. By looking directly into the guide you can see the transfer arms location that it stopped at.
Already purchase cap kit on line, due delivery 7 to 10 days.

Al

Ron it does on nearly all selections

Al

Hi Al,
Is the arm "catching" on something--mis-aligned, or is the spring failing to lift it --are you looking at the "stop"for the arm ? It should come up, hit the stop, then retract a little, just as the clamp arm disc, "bottoms" --See the service Manual, and/or my Seeburg Mechanism Guide-- Ron Rich

Ron, the arm is not catching or hanging up anywhere in the guide and looks aligned ok.
The spring looks ok also but I notice the arm when at 80 is locked and has no movement at all

Al