Rowe AMI R83

[Nasonp]

My wife purchased the Rowe AMI R83 several years ago.  After looking inside I was nervous about turning it on.  Last weekend I cleaned it out and powered it on.  To my amazement it did not catch fire.  It actually appears to work with one exception.  The turn table does not turn.  More or less everything else appears to function.  It selects a record and when I move the tone arm to the center the record is returned to the record magazine.  From what I can determine the turntable motor is powered by the 120VAC from the power supply and controlled via the CAM Switch CS1.  I have determined that the CS-1 works fine.  I am left with either the power supply or the motor.  Looking for some advice on how to trouble shoot this further?

[lilshawn]

this wouldn't be something as simple as a broken/missing drive belt would it??

with a volt meter you can check and see if the motor is getting power, but not running, then likely the motor is toast.

[ami-man]

Hello Nasonp,

Check that the turntable motor is turning. The turntable is driven by an idler wheel and linkage,  a spring pulles the idler wheel against the motor shaft and the turntable.
The motor is 110 volts AC so check that the 110 volt plug is connected ok, this cable is wired to the micro switch CS1 so it is plain to see where it goes.

Please let us know how you get on.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK
alan-hood@datex.co.uk

[Nasonp]

Thanks for the input.  Using a standard socket tester I verified that there is power to the micro switch CS1.  I also removed the turntable so I could see the top of the motor and idler wheel.  Making a selection without a record I verified that the motor shaft is turning.  However,  the idler wheel appears to be up against the motor shaft but did not move at all when the record was selected.  When I did return the turntable and repeated the same selection the turn table did move very slowly.  When the motor is not on should the idler wheel be in contact with the motor shaft or is it in constant contact with the motor shaft and the turn table shaft?  How much pressure should be applied?  Right now I can easily move it away from the shaft.  When it is turning just lightly touching the idler wheel caused it to slip?

[ami-man]

Hello Nasonp,

What country do you live in?
The reason for the above is that in the USA the supply is at 60Hz whilst in the UK it is 50Hz.
In the Uk a spring was fitted to the motor shaft this is called the speed spring, it alters the speed to drive the turntale at the correct speed for use on 50Hz.

The way to test the turntable is to place a record on play and hold the edge of the record, the turntable should still revolve at the same speed.
You should revove the turntable, idler wheel and linkage and wash them in soapy water.
one spot of oil should be placed on all the pivot pionts on the linkage and idler wheel and turntable shaft shaft.
If this does not sort out your problem you will need a new idler wheel (speed spring if in Europe).
Regards

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK
alan-hood@datex.co.uk

[Nasonp]

Thanks Alan for your help,

I live in the United States.  I applied a drop of oil to the shafts and increased the tension on the pivot arm spring for the idler wheel.  It does not appear to be original and was only providing minimal contact.  That did the trick.  The turn table now rotates and the record plays.  The next problem I now have is with the CS5 cam switch.  When the record is placed on the turntable and the high portion of the CAM just touches the CS5 CAM.  This causes the CS5 switch to toggle several times (1 to 3 seconds) before it stops.  At this point should the CS5 CAM be engaged or not engaged?  I think that the CAM should pass CS4 and stop on CS5 until the record is complete?  My wife and children are very happy right now that I was able to play several selections for them last night.