Rowe Ami CD-100F Index Problem

[onlymintstuff]

Hopefully you guys can help with this. I indexed the jukebox and I noticed that during the process, the cd holder does not always advance. As a matter of fact, it will sometimes either pick the same disc twice or actually go backwards. The end result is that you have error messages and the machine really doesn't recognize all the tracks on a CD after the jump. I checked the optical pickup in the recommended positions and neither the home or index lights came on so maybe that part is OK but I did not try a full adjustment pending advice from someone more knowledgeable. Finally, not to cause too many wrinkles in the post, I sometimes find the player picks a disc on the wrong side of the one I want. Didn't test this out on every disc just noticed it and it may be part of the index not being successful. Never had this happen before as this machine has played faithfully for many years (home use). Any help will be appreciated.

[jdemarti]

Can you get a hold of another CD mechanism controller to test? I would swap it out and see of that fixes the problem. If not you can at least eliminate that possibility.

[onlymintstuff]

No access to other parts. Good idea but this is the one and only jukebox I have ever had. This one must have stumped you guys as usually there are tons of responses. It's been over a week now and while the jukebox works if I play entire albums, finding different songs from different albums is always interesting as it often times finds the wrong album/song.

[ami-man]

Hi,

Sorry just back to work after Christmas/New Years holidays.

If the index and home are not lighting then I would have the opto switch tested/replaced or check out the mechanism control unit for dry joints(cold joints USA).

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[onlymintstuff]

Would that cause the rocking back motion that I see when it goes through the index procedure? Per the manual, the two lights should not come on in the specific index positions and that's how I checked out the opto switch. Just asking for clarification. Changing out the opto switch looks fairly easy and we have a large company here in Chicago that has everything in stock.

[ami-man]

Hi,

Are you doing a full index, if that is the case it should start at 00 and check out each CD, the index light flashes once when moving to the next CD. It should not jump about as you call it.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[onlymintstuff]

Yes, I was doing a full index. What would happen is it would advance from 00 then to the next and every once in awhile would actually rock backwards. I would index a full 100 but since it had jumped backwards by one or two CD's, the number of tracks would not match up to the album it thought that it should have read. Seems like some sort of mechanical issue with this rocking backwards. I attempted to get through a full index by placing my hands on the CD holder to steady it so it would always progress forward. Got through most of them but still missed a few as I was never certain when it would rock backwards. Hope that explanation is clear.

So now, when using the machine, it's a hit or miss on what album comes up. I find that it will most times find the correct album but other times miss it by one or two slots. If I try to put in a bunch of songs from different albums, forget it, it's like listening to the radio, you never know what's going to come on.

Finally, my daughter did exactly that and while she was OK with random songs, the CD's started piling up on the player and it was a real mess.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[ami-man]

Hi,

It sounds as if you have a couple of faults by your discription.
The rocking back and forth more than likely be down to the Sprag Wheel or the Stem Bushing (rubber grommets that fit on pegs on the hub that drives the sprag wheel) I have seen the small gear on the sprag wheel worn through by the large gear wheel on the basket/carousel.

Do  a google search for Bruce Wentworth jukebox. He stocks both the sprag wheel compleat with stem bushing.

If the CD are stacking up there may be an issue with the magnetic hub or the gripper bow assembly.

I would strip down the gripper bow assembly and wash it fully in warm water to remove any oil/grease, check for any wear or damage to the nylon gears (cam & truinon gears) and for damage to the gearing on the gripper bow itself.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[onlymintstuff]

OK, fixed. First a big thank you to Bruce Wentworth, he really understands customer service and actually took the time to phone me when I asked him a question. An e-mail would have worked but what a pleasant surprise for someone to take that kind of time for a $25 part.

Also, a bigger thanks to Ami-Man for guiding me in the right direction.

So here's what I found. The sprag gear wasn't in horrible condition but it also was not in proper alignment. I replaced it to be on the safe side. I also found that the gripper bow was not properly aligned and I suspect that the optical sensor was not properly adjusted.

In order to do this job right, you have to follow a sequence. The manual does not walk you through that and while it does tell you the "how to" for each operation, you have to kind of learn as you go in order to make this job a success.

Step 1  Remove the entire unit from the jukebox. Lot easier to see everything, especially for an amateur.

Step 2  Detach the computer from the right side (not necessary to disconnect entirely , just carefully lie it on it's side) - 2 screws right on top by the red lights.

Step 3 Unplug the two sets of wires from the sprag unit assembly, remove the 3 screws, and remove from the unit.

Step 4  Remove the c clip, slide out the old sprag, slide in the new sprag, slide on the c clip.
Note, Bruce puts the 4 bushing into the assembly as part of his kit.

Step 5  ADJUST THE SOLENOID. Very important step. I found mine to be at almost .040". Kinda tricky but only keep your finger on the roll pin, not the entire mechanism.

Step 6  Reinstall the sprag unit assembly AND ADJUST THE BOW POSITION. Another important step as you have disturbed it's alignment. See the manual on how to do this but it is EASY. I used the cam lever to engage the bow and did this while outside the jukebox.

Step 7  Reinstall the unit back into the jukebox.

Step 8  Take the time to readjust the optical sensor. EASY EASY EASY.

Thanks to everyone for their help, I was able to perform a full index and I no longer have discs stacking up on top of the CD Pro player.

Greg