Phonoland

I've just picked up (another) 496 and it's got some issues I've not run into on this model. I suspect the cam / microswicth assembly is out of adjustment, but unlike any other Rock-ola I've seen, it's in the front and appears to have only two microswitches. I can't see any set screws to move the cam like you find on all its predecessors that have the cam in the back (this one's up front). I have the parts book which is really vague on this operation, and the wiring diagram, which is somewhat helpful but not something I'm especially skilled in reading. There does not appear to be an operating manual for the 496. Anyone know how to adjust this cam? Or is this a function of the S3 control unit? I know this machine will have other issues, but I'd appreciate help with this one to start. I have another working 496 to compare but I can't figure how to move the cam, or what else to do to get the sequence of operation in order.
Patrick

Patrick,
The 496 is too new a model for me--but the cam should be the same as all (including the CD's) others.
Turn the motor "knurled" knob to move it---Ron Rich

Ron: unfortunately it's similar but different. Hats off to Rockola for making improvements to the gripper assembly for their last 45 machine then failing to document the changes. The parts book shows a reprint of the 490 / 494 gripper assembly with the cam and microswitches erased. No help there, and the redesigned assembly does not appear anywhere else.
Turning the knurled end of the gripper motor all the way one direction will turn on the magazine motor, and all the way the other way will place a record on the turntable and play it. It will not do any of this by itself, and does not reverse or cancel. On prior models I'd hope to correct this by adjusting the cam and maybe checking micro #3. No micro 3 on this, and I haven't found a way to reposition the cam. I'm open to suggestions.
Patrick

Patrick,
Did they make any later models than the 496--if so, perhaps--don't hold your breadth--a "later" book would help ??
Ron Rich

Ron: looks like they went straight to CD after this series. Note that an alternate arrangement of this model would have a mix of 45s and a few CDs.

Interesting note; the tonearm cutoff switch is a microswitch and not a leaf switch. That's actually pictured in the parts book. There doesn't seem to be any way to reposition the cam the (only) two microswitches roll off, and replacement would be a tear down of the gripper assembly, a project I'd like to avoid since I've got one from my 442 completely disassembled right now already (a new experience for me).

Good news is: the jukebox is up and running just fine now. Here is what's happened. I swapped out parts with my other 496 until everything worked, and here's what it took: the power supply (don't know yet if it's the rectifier board or transformer that's bad, but I'll test them later), opto board, and both the latch and reversing relays from the mech power pcb. I'm going to assume these failures are related, since the former owner played the machine until it "just stopped". I still don't know if the microswitch cam can be adjusted, but it's a moot point. Now I'll try to troubleshoot the parts I removed so I can get the other 496 back up and running. Then I'll be back here with plenty of questions on the older 442.
Patrick