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Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:37 pm
by rockola503
Hello,
I'm new here. After seeing many videos of Wallbox converted to play Ipod, I have secured a Rock-Ola 503.
And I'm now going to convert it using the wipod from cdadapter.
I still haven't got the manual, should order one soon, but I need to find the correct one.
For now, I'm wondering if any of you know how to turn the phonette in free-play with no coin to insert ?
I know, some may call it a sacrilege, but I need room to put the amplifier, and power supply...
Anyone here as done the conversion ?
Thanks for any help.
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:43 pm
by Ron Rich
Contact "Mr Grumpy" at Datasync engineering--
www.datasynceng.com ( and yes, you can tell him that I ID'ed him that way).
Ron Rich
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:51 pm
by clones
Hi
If you clock up credits first and then remove the reset pawl from the credit unit, the credit unit will not be able to subtract credits, just fyi if the rockola wallbox wipod code will not work with the ipod try the seeburg one as it worked on a rockola 500 series wallbox i have, (someone on the forum gave me that answer). It will be fairly tight for space to fit a transformer and amp inside the wallbox
regards
clones
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:49 am
by DoghouseRiley
As they say, "each to their own."
There's no need to cram the amplifier inside the wall box, there's space enough for an iPod. You can situate the amplifier out of sight somewhere else, our son has this arrangement with an Ami wall box in his kitchen, the speakers are either side of the wall box high up near the ceiling and the amplifier in one of their kitchen cupboards. this gives the opportunity of using something better.
I use my Leak 2000 tuner/amp and speakers for my two Rock-Ola 507's. The wall box speakers here aren't connected, but no one notices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PALP3MlX3eY
The one on the left came already converted to free play, but the other is intact, I just enjoy putting the coins in, it's "part of the experience" for me.
My concern would be the speakers, they're about 3" at most and you may be disappointed with the performance, especially if they are as old as the wall box.
I've also a Phonette wall box which was in poor mechanical condition, the speakers were shot too, (though the chrome was excellent), where I have installed new bigger speakers (no chance of doing that without junking some of the internals) and I have it connected to a small amplifier and my computer.
The reproduction is great. I don't think you'd get that level of performance with old speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EFV25tY0fc
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:14 pm
by rockola503
@Ron Rich : Haven't though to ask that kind of info (freeplay) to "Mr Grumpy".
I already have the wipod from cdadapter.
@clones : When you said "
If you clock up credits first and then remove the reset pawl from the credit unit, the credit unit will not be able to subtract credit", interesting info, will this work after turning "off" the consolette ?
Need to figure where is that reset pawl, any photos/drawing to locate it ?
I'm sure I can fit everything inside, that's a challenge

@DoghouseRiley : as you say "each to their own"
I'm not to concern about sound quality from the wallbox, I know it's not the best speakers in the world, but that's "part of the experience" for me. If I want better sound I'll put a coin in my jukebox and play some tunes

Anyone one has a wiring diagram of the wallbox ?
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:45 pm
by rockola503
Finally managed to locate and remove the reset pawl. Now, the wallbox is freeplay, thanks for the info.
Regarding the front instructions :
"SELECT Any Single record" and "OR LP ALBUM",
only the "single" is lighted. The LP stay off even with a brand new lamp.
I assume the LP is disconnected somewhere ? Any idea ?
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:49 pm
by Ron Rich
IF, that phono was "equipped" to play LP's, there will be a second "credit switch", that closes when enough credits are accumulated to purchase an "Album". Try adding more credits--see your service manual--schematic, for details about that model.
Ron Rich
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:51 am
by rockola503
Haven't got yet the manual.
But from what you describe, I assume my phonette hasn't got this second "credit switch", as it was used to play "1 record for 1 franc" and no other option on the front light.
From what I guess, LP weren't popular or used in jukebox in France. Every time I came across old French jukebox titles stripes, it's for EP.
Also, while powering the phonette, and checking how it works, I did try adding credits, and I haven't "heard" a second switch at any point. I'll have another look.
I'll have to see if I can light-up the "OR LP ALBUM" from another wire.
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:09 am
by ds100h
Hi Dog
Check out your first link: "This video has been removed by the user.
Sorry about that. "
Nothing shows up?
Best
Darrell
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:25 pm
by DoghouseRiley
rockola503 wrote:Haven't got yet the manual.
But from what you describe, I assume my phonette hasn't got this second "credit switch", as it was used to play "1 record for 1 franc" and no other option on the front light.
From what I guess, LP weren't popular or used in jukebox in France. Every time I came across old French jukebox titles stripes, it's for EP.
Also, while powering the phonette, and checking how it works, I did try adding credits, and I haven't "heard" a second switch at any point. I'll have another look.
I'll have to see if I can light-up the "OR LP ALBUM" from another wire.
This isn't uncommon, my two 507s are configured with two extra lights, "insert more coins" and "choose LP." The lowest denomination of coin it will accept will give one play and it can't be configured to play LPS as it doesn't matter how many credits you add, neither light goes on although both have lamps in them.
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 5:27 pm
by Ron Rich
There is a simple explanation for this--
It's much more efficient to use one piece of glass, rather then design, and build, several sets of glass, for different options.
This is true on the production line, as there is now no need to worry that some new employee will accidentally insert the wrong glass in a model that call for another. It's also true for the parts dept. stock--one bin fits all!
Seeburg's "efficiency experts" hired in the 70's, pointed this out "loudly"-- Seeburg then carried it out to the extreme, in all future designs. Even the later transformers, and coils, were all changed to work on multiple voltages, and Hertz. The cost per unit was higher, but the savings in having to produce/stock two or more items that did the same job, far out-weighted the initial cost ( according to the "people" that came up with the idea !) Ron Rich
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:54 pm
by rockola503
By any luck, can someone post a good pic of the first glass on left, so that I can reproduce it ? Mine is altered and in french...
Thanks in advance.
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2014 12:20 am
by DoghouseRiley
If you send me a pm with your e-mail address I'll send you an e-mail with a photo attached.
I would normally upload a photo to image shack, and link that but they now want subscribers to pay! and I won't,
Regards,
Doghouse
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:02 pm
by rockola503
Hi everybody,
Everything is connected (amp, speakers, transformers...), but I have a random "error" :
I first make a selection, then add more while song is playing, but sometimes the new selection stop the playing song.
Sometimes at 2nd selection, sometimes at 5th, or 3rd, or 7th...
Wipod playlist used is WB0.
Any idea ?
Re: Rock Ola 503 phonette Wallbox
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:30 am
by clones
Hi
I think the mains electricity frequency if you are located in France is 50hz, so to operate the wipod the playlist needs to be called WBOH, it might make a difference
Also you could try the seeburg 100 selection code which works on my rockola wallbox, the WBOH wouldn't work for me on the wallbox i have
regards
clones