Phonola record player

[William]

I have this Phonola portable record player that a friend gave me a few years ago. It's three channel and three tubes. About a year ago I decided to check it out to see what it needed, which pretty much was everything. I replaced all the caps, a few resistors, one output tube, and the cartridge. The changer is VM, and it needed the usual tune up. This VM changer is model 1224 so it uses a little flat belt and turrets. It needed the belt and the 33 turret. With all of the above complete I fired it up and everything was working as it should, and it sounded pretty good for what it is.

A couple of weeks ago I started my rounds of playing my stuff just to keep everything charged up. The little Phonola was next on the list. I opened it up, plugged in the speakers, put on a couple of records, and hit reject. The platter was turning but nothing happened. I hit reject again and nothing. Now what! It worked the last time I used it. Yesterday I decided to check out why it was not working. I pulled the changer, set it up on the bench, put a record on it, and hit reject. You guessed it, it worked just fine. I tried it again, and again, and again. Each time it worked just fine. My Phonola issue reminds me of Greg's radio that played perfect on the bench, but when he put it back into the cabinet it would not play. I will continue to test it on the bench for a few days and if it continues to function as it should I will reinstall and see what happens. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.

Bill

[electra225]

Maybe the same ghost that inhabits my radio also inhabits your record player...

[William]

Or, like my Motorola table radio that the stereo indicator light would not work on the bench but works perfectly installed back in the cabinet.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Bill,
I'd look into the V-M trip link formed tab.
It might need to be bent a bit more towards
the trip finger cam.

You must be careful to stabilize that
soft aluminum trip link, so that you only bend the tab.
You don't want to bend the trip link.

I use 2 sets of sturdy needle nose pliers for the adjustment.

Or the trip pawl, pawl lever, and trip lever on
the gear assembly may need another dis-assembly
and cleaning.

I've had to do both of these sometimes after a
thorough cleaning, when I thought the changer
was working well.

[William]

Thanks, Mr. Mogul, I will check that out.

Bill

[electra225]

Bill, did you ever find out what ails this record player?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Bill,
I forgot one other esoteric adjustment
that sometimes is necessary.

The trip pawl must project far enough into
the gap of the toothed gear so the projection
on the turntable hub engages the trip pawl
to start the cycle.

To make it project a bit farther, the
other tab that is on the opposite side of the
trip pawl must be carefully bent.

It's difficult to explain, but I think you'll
look at it, and understand which direction
that other tab must be bent.

I have used a flat edge screwdriver to carefully
bend the tab while holding the trip pawl
piece stationary with my other hand.

[William]

Greg, and Mr. Mogul. As of this writing it is still working as it should on the bench. I double checked everything in the trip system and to my eye it all looks good. I will continue to play it for a while on the bench and then put it back in the cabinet and see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed that it was "just one of those things".

Bill