RCA RP 218 changer

[hermitcrab]

I uploaded the RP-217-18 file in August.

It is the factory manual per Beitman.

It states that the RP-217-3 and RP-217-4 models use a
stylus force of 9 to 11 Grams.

Is your changer one of those ?

And, if the new cart cuts out like the original,
it does suggest there is also something else incorrect
that needs detection.

This one says 217-2 under the deck... you might be correct... it seemed to play perfectly with almost 10 grams .... and it does not seem to hurt the records ... that is some crazy weight , compared to more modern stuff, and while rummaging through some of the stuff for the console, I found a new replacement needle still in its package!

[hermitcrab]

Check the arm bearings--both the vertical ones, up and down, and the horiz. ones, side to side. The latter, especially, can be gummed up. Check the arm wiring to be sure it isn't binding. Make sure the arm-lift mechanism, whatever that changer uses, to make sure it is retracting completely after is sets the arms down. You've got something wrong in that device.

Chris Campbell

the tone arm is just plastic on plastic... no bearings on this one ...just a plastic pin holds the arm on...

[TC Chris]

But side to side (horizontal bearings)??

Chris Campbell

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

And the manual does show where a Ronette crystal cart
was used in those discrete RP-217 models.

That will account for the 9-11 gram stats, but your
RP-217 came with the airplane wing cart, so there
is something else wrong in the tracking problem.

Your original cart is 4-7 grams tracking.

[hermitcrab]

I put the original cart back in ....Right now the weight is 6.7 Grams and it seems to play ok .... still has the annoying slide backward about 3/8 of a inch when rejecting at the end of the record ...can't figure out why this is happening , I watch the mechanism while in operation and cant see what is causing it do to that, but I figured out why you need the excessive weight on these .... the tone arm by itself will float , even with the original cart in it.... it barely sets down @ 5 grams , and the needle does not engage the rubber saddle at all on the cart the more weight applied to the nose of the tone arm the better the needle/saddle interaction ... maybe the saddle is shot it is 60 years old ...

[hermitcrab]

And the manual does show where a Ronette crystal cart
was used in those discrete RP-217 models.

That will account for the 9-11 gram stats, but your
RP-217 came with the airplane wing cart, so there
is something else wrong in the tracking problem.

Your original cart is 4-7 grams tracking.

By the way....Thanks for uploading this service manual ... I have the sam's photofact and the beitmans is way more helpful , the sam's you need a telephoto lens to read it...

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I put the original cart back in ....Right now the weight is 6.7 Grams and it seems to play ok .... still has the annoying slide backward about 3/8 of a inch when rejecting at the end of the record ...can't figure out why this is happening

I've had this behavior in some V-M 1200 changers.
It always turned out that I had to add some more
tracking force, usually to cartridge max rated and a bit above.

I would use some of that very adhesive art putty
to add some more weight to the tonearm.
You can pinch off a gram at a time, using your digital scale to weigh it.
If you have a new diamond stylus,
and clean records, being over the 7 grams a bit won't hurt.

And I would make sure the end of play trip mechanism is very clean.

[William]

Like Mr. Mogul, I have found with any changer, if its running gears and trip mechanisms are not squeaking clean they will not work properly. I'm guessing, Elton, you have some old grease or dirt that is causing the problem.

Bill

[hermitcrab]

Like Mr. Mogul, I have found with any changer, if its running gears and trip mechanisms are not squeaking clean they will not work properly. I'm guessing, Elton, you have some old grease or dirt that is causing the problem.

Bill

Bill, the changer is pretty clean... someone was here before me as the motor grommets were MIA... Mr mogul is correct, I added another oz of weight and now it no longer skips on reject... I have never run across this issue before ... except that zenith I have in the basement with the 2 gram VM changer...absolutely refuses to play a 45... it will just skip all the way across ... unless I play it at 33 speed... then it will track the record all the way through.. a new cart and needle from Gary did nothing to fix it... it's like it can't handle the 45 speed .... can't remember if I ever tried a 78 on it ....maybe I should try it...

[William]

Elton, why would someone take the effort to clean up the changer but not put on new motor mounts. That is totally weird. You should try a 78, and what do you mean by the Zenith with the 2 gram VM changer. Is it one of those Zenith floating cartridge, light tone arm changers?

Bill

[electra225]

Is the changer level? Are your records good?

[hermitcrab]

I determined on the 2gr Zenith , that the posts that hold the rear of the floating cartridge one side the slot is worn just enough where the cart is leaning slightly causing the arm to slide across on 45 rpms... I think the only fix would be a new tone arm, that is why it sits in the back corner of the basement ...