Tim's Rowe CD100/mp3 project

[mightytim99]

Here's my "constant work in progress!"

[mightytim99]

Here's the rest of the pics.
I custom wrote the software.
I am trying to make the CD100 look/act exactly like the original.
My most difficult job so far was interfacing the page buttons to the page motor (see schematic picture in 1st post).
There are two final hurdles before it is complete:
1) interface the original VFD (blue alphanumberic display) to the PC so my software can drive the character/display directly.
2) FIND THAT LIGHT DIFFUSER! (white plastic that goes around the title rack)
I have been looking for it for over two years - can't find one. Rowe dealer in Indiana is out of business, none on EBay...
BTW, PC is an old 1ghz DOS PC w/10gb drive - very old, but plays great!
Using an old Sony stereo amp 100w x2
Comments?

[Ken Layton]

Found my copy of the CD-100A manual. Here's the part number of what you're looking for:

Part # 61036101 Housing, Title Rack is what it's officially called in the parts list.

Can be ordered from any Rowe dealer (Rowe does NOT sell direct) such as these companies:

Betson Midwest
1158 Tower Lane
Bensenville, Ill. 60106
Phone: (630) 238-9400

Betson of Pittsburgh
2707 W. Carson St.
pittsburgh, Pa. 15204
Phone: (412) 331-8703

Wolverine American
3400 Jefferson
Grand Rapids, Mich. 49548
Phone: (616) 452-2125

Wolverine American
26400 Capitol
Redford, Mich. 48239
Phone: (313) 937-4600
www.wolverineamerican.com

[MrD]

Your project looks great!  I've got the exact same model, but my conversion uses an adapter to connect to an ipod.  I contemplated the PC route, but wasn't sure how I'd get some of the stock features to work.

Is the light diffuser something that you could fabricate with smoked plexi ?  Or translucent?   

I can measure up the sizes of the panels if you need them.

You could also try http://www.jukeboxparts.com they might have it.

I've also purchased some CD100 parts from a guy here in NY.  Not sure if he'd have it, or if he'd ship it.

[mightytim99]

Help with the measurements would be GREAT!

I'm still not sure which way would be cheaper - i've done this whole project from mostly spare parts, and a few $$ on ebay. I'll have to check with a Rowe dealer, and then with someone who works with plexi.

Thanks!

[mightytim99]

Meeting with a friend of mine this week - we are going to go over the pin-outs on the CD100 VFD to see how easy a serial interface to the PC will be...

[mightytim99]

Picked up a parts-only Rowe CD100b in Michigan over the weekend. Full of all the parts I need to finish this project! THANKS go to Captain Pinball over at EBay for the great deal!

[mightytim99]

I am in the process of transferring parts from the CD100b to my CD100a - everything is exactly the same on the a/b models except got the graphics design on the lower front grill. Also, BE CAREFUL when handeling the large front glass. I must of had a slight crack or chip, because as I was moving the glass, and it blew up into a million little pieces when I set it down! Sigh - I guess that safety glass is better than large sharp shards... disappointed that it broke though. I really was excited to have the original glass from a CD100 installed - now I'm going to have to use replacement glass, or plexiglass

[ami-man]

Hi Tim,

Try www.jukeboxparts.com to see if he has an orginal glass.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[mightytim99]

I looked around a little, but in the interest of regaining the use of our garage to park our cars, I decided on plexiglass. I went to Lowes and had them custom cut it to the exact measurements. I didn't want cheap plexi that would bow inward when installed, so I purchased the more expensive 1/4 in. thick style - very strong, but the guy at Lowes had trouble cutting it on their special equipment. It looks great installed. Will U/L pics soon.

[mightytim99]

Well, it's been a long project, but I will update everyone on my progress. You see, my project took a 180 degree turn a few days ago when I finished stripping all the parts out of the 100b. - I went ahead and put ALL the parts from the 100b into my empty 100a cabinet and. . . . . . . . . IT WORKED!!!! I just about fell over - I thought I had two non-functional "parts only" Rowe CD100's - I now have a 100% original working Rowe CD100!!! - there now is no need for me to make this into a hybrid (PC and jukebox). I started with a CD100a *empty* cabinet I got from Ebay 2 years ago for $60. I purchased the Rowe CD100b earlier this year for "parts" (I bought it for #30 thinking it didn't work)!!! I am keeping all my documentation/pictures in case I need to replace the CD mech down the road, but for now.... I am enjoying a fully functional CD100b!!!
I'll check in every so often to see if anyone has comments on this thread, but for now, my dream came true - I have a fully working unit!! Woooo Hooooo!!!

[ami-man]

Hi Tim,

Glad to hear you have a fully working jukebox.

I have been looking at the pictures you have put onto this site.
Are both the mechanism's you have the same in your pictures?
If this is the case then they were both converted to the open basket type. This was done to correct the problem of the CD's being scuffed on the outer edges during handling. Rowe Ami sold the kit in the UK for around £250.00 it comprised of the new basket , new gripper bow etc .

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[enskpo]

And it looks like you learned a lot in the process too.  Thanks for all of the pictures, I learned a little too.  I really want one of these, maybe someday. Nice jukebox!

[mightytim99]

Ensko: Thanks, I did learn alot - by taking my time and going over EVERY screw, nut and bolt I basically learned everything about it, and had fun in the process!

AMI-Man:  I only have one CD mech. My cabinet is a CD100A I purchased (almost) empty about 2 yrs ago. 3 months ago I landed a CD100B which had the CD mech and everything else in it. So my juke cab is a 100A, and the guts are a 100B! I did like the bottom door graphics better on the B, so I installed that on my A cabinet.

I'll send up a link to a Youtube video in a few..

[mightytim99]

As promised, here's a YouTube link to a short video of my completed Rowe CD100..
Any questions/comments?

[enskpo]

Looks great! Nice job.   

[mightytim99]

I have been working on a spreadsheet for my newly renovated Rowe CD100b title rack. It allows me to enter all 100 CD Albums, and all the music titles for each CD. You can then copy the lists to the pre-made title rack card forms and print your own title rack cards. You also get a 1-page sheet that lists all 100 CDs. I sent the file up to the server - look in the SOFTWARE -> MISC section. It is called "Rowe CD100 Title Rack Manager" - someone give it a try and let me know what you think!