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Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:45 pm
by TurboJordo
We Bought this Rock-Ola 449 1972 Jukebox before Xmas, We were told that before it was put away 15 years ago it was in working order. :roll:
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Since then we've replaced 4 blown fuses, replaced the Selection Key Mechanism that was missing and Joined some Rat Eaten wires on the Floor of the Machine

The Selection Wheel now turns, the Relays Click and then nothing happens. The Scan/Off/Operation Switch does absolutely nothing and the Gripper appears to be in the Down Position (Playing)

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Any Help getting it going would be Much Appreciated!!

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:06 pm
by DoghouseRiley
Hi and welcome.

This machine seems to be showing typical signs of neglect. So many times people advertise these machines insisting that it'd be an "easy fix" and they aren't. The fact that it's blowing fuses shows that there must be something seriously wrong. The mechanism is probably suffering from a lack of lubrication and there could be several other things wrong with the electrical side.

Your best bet if you know little or nothing about jukeboxes, is to find a competent jukebox engineer who is familiar with Rock-Olas and can assess the problems and give you a ball-park figure for the cost of repair.

It in the end, will be your cheapest option, as attempting to fix it yourself may cause even more problems.

If you'd included your location under your board name, someone might have been be able to point you in the right direction to a jukebox engineer where you live.

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:17 pm
by TurboJordo
Thanks, It was stupendously cheap, £300. I took a risk but It's a nice Ornament either way

Location is Inverness, Scotland, We've been looking for an Engineer and there doesn't seem to be anyone north of Glasgow that knows about them. It's not blown any fuses since we replaced them

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:20 pm
by Ron Rich
Hopefully you have replaced them only with the correct size and type--to do otherwise, risks fire !
Do you have the service manual for this model ? if not, see above, announcement --where to find--for a list of sellers. Ron Rich

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:22 pm
by TurboJordo
yeah we had specially order them from JukeboxParts.co.uk, they are hard to find in the u.k, No such luck with the Service Manual yet but I'll check the link, Thanks

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:27 pm
by Ron Rich
OK--then if you can read a schematic, and check voltages, you should be able to determine were your problem(s) are--
As I see it, from what you have written, the gripper motor is not returning to it's home position. Why is the question--
Ron Rich

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:37 pm
by TurboJordo
Yeah I think the Service Manual Might be the next step, I'll try heating up the motor with a hairdryer to try and loosen up the oil

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:55 pm
by Ron Rich
Use caution--the records in the basket will not like the heat--at all ! Also, if not done "evenly", the "pot metal" in the gripper won't like it either ! I do not do that--at all--ever. I just "work" 20 wt. ND oil into the gripper assembly--sometimes this can take up to an hour--but it always works for me-- Ron Rich

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:20 pm
by TurboJordo
Thanks, I was thinking of a low heat considering the amount of plastic around it but Yeah your method sounds a lot safer

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:37 pm
by DoghouseRiley
TurboJordo wrote:Thanks, I was thinking of a low heat considering the amount of plastic around it but Yeah your method sounds a lot safer



Once you've got your machine up and running, the mechanical parts will need some occasional maintenance, never use WD40 on it.

Here's a Rock-Ola lubrication chart.

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It only needs a few drops of the right oil probably every six months in a domestic situation.


If you've a conservatory, don't put in there. They like an average room temperature and no damp or condensation.

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:52 pm
by TurboJordo
Oh my god Thank you! I'll Give it a try once I can find the proper Oil. its in our living room now so anywhere between 5 and up to 30 degrees C 8) .

Its previous Owner had it in his Outside Garage for 15 years so that's probably the cause of most of its problems

Also I'll Order the Service Manual And Hopefully find out what the problem is with the Motors, Gears Etc

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:10 pm
by DoghouseRiley
TurboJordo wrote:Oh my god Thank you! I'll Give it a try once I can find the proper Oil. its in our living room now so anywhere between 5 and up to 30 degrees C 8) .

Its previous Owner had it in his Outside Garage for 15 years so that's probably the cause of most of its problems

Also I'll Order the Service Manual And Hopefully find out what the problem is with the Motors, Gears Etc



Yeah, unheated garages are "death" to jukeboxes. I've two which before I bought them had been in their individual owners front rooms for more than half of their lives.

Now they've been in our unheated summerhouse at the bottom of our garden for a few years.

Except for the summer months, I keep them covered in bubble-wrap with 60watt inspection lamps sitting in their bases, to provide some heat, together with a box of moisture absorbing crystals. So they're fine.
I still "turn them over" a few times each week, that's the best form of "preventative maintenance."

Looking at an inch of snow in the garden today, days like this seems a long time ago.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISeRK8vCa1M

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:41 pm
by TurboJordo
Wow Your jukeboxes clearly has seen more love in a day than mine's seen in its lifetime :cry:

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:47 pm
by Ron Rich
I doubt you will find the suggested oil available, I suggest SAE 20 wt. ND be used--also, I strongly suggest that unless you remove ALL of the "old grease", you use no grease--just a drop of the above mentioned oil--Under no circumstances, do I recommend "Aero Lubriplate" --use a graphite based grease very lightly-- Ron Rich

Re: Rock-Ola 449 Problems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:47 pm
by TurboJordo
It'll be a big job to get all the grease out of this jukebox, All the Gears are caked in thick black grease. I'll try my best :shock: