RCA RP-198 Changer Problem

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Hi Everyone,
This RP-198 is the precursor to the RP-205, and
appears almost identical to the 205 mechanically.

I have dis-assembled and cleaned it well.
When the tonearm lowers
and touches onto the record, it lifts back up,
tonearm returns to rest, cycle starts again.

Checked the trip link and trip pawl for bent
parts, all appear OK.
Trip pawl is clean, NO lube on parts.
I have an RP205 here that I compared the RP198 parts to,
as these parts are identical.

Any ideas ?

I have the Beitman's for the RP205 and the
Sams for the RP 198, in pdf files.
I can email them to anyone that can assist.
Thanks !

[William]

Sorry Mr. Mogul, I have a RCA 45 changer that does the same thing and I cannot figure out what the problem is. Mine, usually plays the first record correctly, then just starts cycling each record until the stack is finished. You only get to hear the first and last record. Somewhere, we both are missing something but I have no idea what. Can anyone help either of us?

Bill

[electra225]

Where is Larry HIllis now that we need him?.........

I found this YouTube video on an RCA RP 205. I like this guy's videos, so I posted this one so you guys could see what he does. Why he goes to all the trouble to fix the changer top notch, posts a video then plays a nasty, dirty record that probably immediately destroys the new needle he just installed. Why would anybody post a video using a dirty record?

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=RC ... &FORM=VIRE

You might try here as well:

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/rca/rp-190.shtml

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Greg: yes, I might just drop a PM to Mr. Hillis at
the other forum.
I did see Chris Cuff's (RIP) 205 video. It's one of the
few times, he didn't do a complete service. (?)

Bill: sorry to hear about your 45 player having
its doubts about wanting to play records.

In the meantime, I am going to rebuild the
RP-205 I have here and I hope it works well.

Then, if the RP-198 is recalcitrant to function,
I can just drop in the RP-205.
It appears to have the same AC/motor wiring
and audio 3-pin wiring set up. [ : )

[hermitcrab]

The part that confuses me is the needle hits the record and immediately lifts back up?.... not familiar with this changer , but wouldn't take a few seconds for the cycling gear to rotate around to pick up the tone arm? as I said I am not familiar with these ... I am assuming it uses the usual changing mech.. is the trip pawl stuck in the out position constantly engaging the gear ?

[electra225]

My understanding is that Larry is only on Facebook. I haven't seen him on the big forum for a couple years. I sent a PM to him on the big forum and he never retrieved it. I have his phone number around here somewhere, probably in storage. Larry is the RCA guru, no question about that. Another guy you might be able to get ahold of on the big forum is Ken Doyle.

[electra225]

I don't know if this will help or not. The symptoms sound familiar.

https://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vi ... 9&t=405433

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

My understanding is that Larry is only on Facebook. Another guy you might be able to get ahold of on the big forum is Ken Doyle.

Thanks for the info update on Mr. Hillis. I too, had noticed his lack
of presence on the other forum. And, Ken is a good recommendation.

I don't know if this will help or not. The symptoms sound familiar.

Yes, I know that guy, he's my twin brother, ha ha !
Well, if I don't get a response there, I'll PM Mr. Doyle.

I am assuming it uses the usual changing mech.. is the trip pawl stuck in the out position constantly engaging the gear ?

Here is the trouble-shooting from RCA that is in the Beitman's
for the RP-205 (which appears to be the same mech as the RP-198)
These are the solutions I've started to try.

I will clean & test the RP-205 I have, and take a break from the RP-198.

Thanks for the input everyone. Will report back.

[William]

Thanks for posting this Mr. Mogul. These service suggestions may help me with my RCA 45 changer.

Bill

[electra225]

Mr. Mogul and Bill, here is a Chris Cuff video on just the problem you were talking about, "rejectitis". Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBvwI7Mrffw

[William]

Thanks, Greg!

Bill

[electra225]

I hope it helps. I have confidence.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Hallelujah, it's Alive !
Well, after Dave1138 brought back the amp
all fixed up for the RCA 6HF4, the heat was on !

There were 2 issues I isolated that were causing
the tonearm problems.
1. There is a hinged drop down "actuating lever"
that was intermittently hanging in the "up" position.
This prevented the unlatching of the pickup (tonearm)
from the pickup arm return lever.
That created the form of reject-itis in the RP-198.

There is a a very small c-clip holding the actuating lever on its
shaft that it rotates on. I removed the clip, cleaned
the shaft w/alcohol, and gave it 1/2 drop of Zoom Spout
oil.
The hinged lever no longer was hanging up, and the tonearm
was able to move over the record and set down.

2. But, the tonearm would only set down on the 10 inch
or 7 inch record position.
From experience, I knew this problem was located with
the landing selector lever and the 10 inch indexing levers.
They are mounted parallel to each other, and usually there
is some form of oil/grease that can make them stick to
each other, causing such problems.

The landing selector lever could also have been bent,
though as hard as that steel is, I was doubtful.

I removed the levers, cleaned them once again, and I
made a slight bend in the landing selector lever.

Whatever I did, all is well in Bedford Falls !
This week the amp and changer go back to
the cabinet where they belong.

[William]

Congrats, guys, for a job well done. I'm about to start the RCA changer that belongs in the ST. It will be my first RCA changer to rebuild.

Bill