Phonoland

Hi - I had posted about this a couple months ago with no takers, but I'll try again...
I have a 1985 Rockola 490-1 that will not stop to transfer. Accepts coins, indicates selection on LED screen, but then just spins. I changed the onboard battery, but it had not been leaking. Opto board LED flashes. CPU accepts price programming etc. and seems otherwise OK, although I realize that's a pretty broad statement! Carriage will stop at home when service switch is set to normal operation, and will scan when put in scan position. I cleaned eye and adjusted opto board per manual. Unfortunately the manual is very thin with zero troubleshooting guidance. I did mess with the cam adjustment (it activates 4 switches) at one point. Could a cam switch problem prevent the carriage from stopping to transfer? Any help/direction is greatly appreciated! Carl.

Carl: you might get a better reply than this, but here's two things you can try. The magazine and gripper motors are wired (fortunately) so they cannot both operate at the same time. Since your magazine turns, you know that motor works. And yes, the microswitch positions can prevent things from happening, so they must be aligned properly. There is a knurled part at the end of both motors. Turn the one on your gripper motor until the gripper is over the magazine. At that point, the #1 microswitch should be in the notch in the cam. If not, there are two Allen screws to loosen to adjust. If you need to test that motor, you can remove the three screws holding it in place and plug it into the harness where the magazine motor plugs in. They are alike except for the length of the gear shaft, but they can be tested that way. Good luck. Patrick

Thanks for responding Patrick. The cam switch is in the recess when the gripper is in the home position over carriage. If I back the gripper motor up manually so the gripper starts to leave home, and then move service switch to operate, the gripper motor does come alive and return it to home. So I'm pretty sure the motor is good. I just realized that I am still having some binding in the gripper though. Cant get it to go all the way over to turntable. Familiar with bleeding fingers?? So I'm going to take it out and re-clean and lubricate again before I go any further. Though I had that resolved...I'll get back to you. Thanks again.

Carl,
If you can turn the motor by hand, more than one turn, then it is unlikely that your motor needs cleaning. It is more likely that the gripper arm assembly is sticking somewhere.