Phonoland

Hello,
Re: 1965 Seeburg Discotheque Jukebox
All of a sudden our jukebox started to play slow. We only have 45 RPM records (don't have any 33) in it. Had been playing fine for over an hour, then it switched records and began playing slow. I do not know if it's playing say at the 33 1/3 RPM speed or not. Also, it makes no difference if it's warmed up or cold....it consistently plays the same slow speed. I have been reading and searching about this issue. I need help.
We live in Richmond, Indiana 47374. Does anyone know of someone we could contact (for repair) close to us? Say in the Dayton Ohio area?
What is the correct lubricant to use, and do they vary on location (jukebox) used?
Where can I purchase a good Seeburg manual for this unit? I read the old ones were really good but cannot find.
I've had this jukebox since the 80's. There has been many times it wasn't played for months at a time.
I guess that's all I can think of to mention.
Thank you so much....
Best regards,
Janet

Janet, manuals are here:
http://www.alwaysjukin.com/items/servic ... s/list.htm

I have all the schematics and data since I've used them commercially. What you describe can be a case where the autospeed unit isn't being switched-in when a 45 is mounted, or it may be a bone dry set of bearings. Lubrication is done using a non-detergent oil of 20 weight and this chart:

http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/Rob-N ... h.jpg.html

However, if you have had this machine "since the 80's" I am guessing it hasn't had any service or maintenance in over 25 years. This is a common problem with machines in homes. After a while it leads to a series of failures some major. Patch-ups become a case of 'whack-a-mole' -fix one problem and another appears soon after.

At this point you need to asses your technical capabilities because to properly repair this machine, one of Seeburg's most complex, will take skill and information.

Rob-NYC

Hi Janet,
First off--WHAT, are you calling a "1965 --Discotheque" ? Only one such model was made, and it played only at 45 rpm ! Please use the ID tag on the rear outside of the phono to ID it.
If you have either a LPC-480, (1964) or one of the two, PFEA models (1966)( all of which could have a "Discotheque sign " placed inside by now), I would suspect, that lack of, and/or improper lubrication is probably the problem. If you do not have electro/mechanical skills check the announcements above for a listing of repair people. . If you do have the skills necessary, the Service Manual is a MUST, and I suggest that the parts is also important. If you do not have a copy of the I&0 manual, it might be worth reading--all of these are available as a "package" from all "legit" sellers--listed above. You might also consider my Seeburg Mechanism Guide, in which I attempted to cover what was not in/clear in, the manuals--You may purchase that directly from me, (PM me) if you wish. Ron Rich

Thank you Rod and Ron for your response.
I will have my husband pull out the jukebox and I'll write down the numbers. I will then order the manuals.
I was not very happy when I found out my husband and friend (who has worked on jukeboxes) lubricated with WD-40. Said they "filled the cups". It's hard telling what all he/they did. Another friend who owns a antique store and has also worked on jukeboxes said we need to order the speed control unit. I refused to do that until we found out more information. I wish I could locate a repair person who was familiar with this unit.
I've taken over this project because he always ends up messing stuff up. I'm certainly no pro but have repaired several things (60" TV...tore the whole apart, my washer, dryer, pump-well, etc.) over the years. Now-a-days with the Internet and You Tube you can generally diagnose and repair a lot of things.
When I looked at this jukebox, I thought, there is no way. I've never seen anything so complex. It's beyond me why these guys didn't do their research first, especially regarding lubricants. I hope the WD-40 didn't gum up the motor.
Thanks again and I'll post what unit this actually is. To be honest, I never knew that it had the capabilities to play the 33 1/3 records. Saw that info on the Internet and was going by the pictures of the Seeburg's.
Sorry to carry on venting about this......
You guys are great! So very kind to assist others in need.
Janet

Hello Janet,

It sounds as if you have the 1965 Seeburg U100D, this was painted in UV colours on the window above the the title cards and it had Discotheque written in there, black writing on a pink background.

I worked on these in the 70's, but far to long to remenber anything about them other than the shape and the UV effect on them.

There is information about them in the Stamann website in there Archive Section under Seeburg http://www.jukebox-world.de/Forum/Archi ... rgU100.htm

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

I think Janet has either this:

http://www.jukebox-world.de/Forum/Archi ... LPC480.htm

Or:

http://www.pinballrebel.com/archive/see ... etwood.htm

The latter being all transistor making it a -little- simpler to rebuild the control unit.

Either case keep tinkerers OUT. NO WD40! Seriously, people poking around can do a lot of damage in a shot time.

Rob-NYC

This is what we have: Seeburg Stereo Phonograph: PFEA1U, I believe I read it is the "Electra". 160 selections. S/N 205982.
Thank you!
Janet

Hello Janet,

Here is the link to your jukebox.

http://www.jukebox-world.de/Forum/Archi ... lectra.htm

Regards
Alan

Thank you for the link Alan!
Rob, I ordered the manual.
I should have looked at the unit description before my initial posting. I see the 1966 date on the link. Wonder why I'm finding manufactured in Sept 1965...guess it doesn't matter except I shouldn't have type 1965 on my post. Sorry about that as it lead to confusion what unit I have.
Now to just figure out why it's playing slow.
Thanks again for all your past and future advise you all may have.
Kindest regards,
Janet

Janet

Think of cars, a 2016 model car can be manufactured in 2015. Likewise, a jukebox manufactured in 1965 would still be a 1966 model. Hope you get things fixed properly.

Best
Darrell

Hi Janet,
The reason for the date confusion is that the jukebox makers, like the auto industry, tended to show the next year's model in Sept. of the previous year. So the date of manufacturing on your particular phono could have been 1965, or , '66, but it would be a 1966 year model.
(Using the date guide my late friend Tony Miller wrote for my Seeburg Mechanism Guide--he printed "Year of INTRODUCTION" on all dates-) IF a Copyright date appears anywhere on the phono, or on the "books", it would be the prior year, as books usually were available with the introduction of the year model.
If you do pin your problem down to the Autospeed unit, I do offer rebuilding services for it as well as most all of Seeburg sub components--
PM me--Ron Rich

I changed the subject date to 1966 so it would be accurate.
Thank you both for the explainations regarding the date.
And you Ron for your offer for the speed unit rebuild.
Many thanks again.
Janet

Hi Janet,
Actually, the date is not important--MOST repair folks go by model number (NOT "name" as like car companies, names may be used several times over) ! Ron Rich