VE-XVI Advice

[Phono-Phan]

I have a VE-XVI that I am working on. The motor just hums when the switch is on. The wiring harness looks great. I see that is wired for 110 AC. Any advice on what to look for? I see that there is a spring coupler between the motor and governor. The governor rocks back and forth but the shaft on the motor doesn't move.
Thanks in advance. Ken Brekke

[barnettrp21122]

It sounds like your motor arbor (the shaft that the governor is connected to by a spring) is stuck or frozen, probably having not been run in a long time. You can remove the cover (on left in your picture) to expose the round commutator with its tiny copper panels and the two spring-held motor brushes. You should be able to free up the commutator using a little finger force, but the best thing to do would be to give the commutator surfaces a good cleaning and check to see that the two motor brushes are not too worn.
There is a good Victor repair supplement included in Robert Baumbach's "Look For The Dog" book that covers basic servicing of this exact type of motor.
I have a VE XVI just like yours, and after some work it runs very reliably and silently.
You're welcome to PM me for more details. Hope this helps!
Bob

[Phono-Phan]

Bob,
Thanks for the information. I will look more into the motor this coming week. Someone told me that the three resistors in the back drop the AC voltage down to around 32 volts AC. I will have to check what voltage is getting to the motor also after the resistors.
Ken

[Phono-Phan]

I was able to free up the motor and it runs very smoothly and quiet. I think I still need to clean off the old dried up grease on the gears and shafts yet. The search is on to find a light bulb for it. Thanks for the advice Bob!!!!
Ken Brekke

[barnettrp21122]

Very good Ken!
Bob

[Phono-Phan]

I love the Youtube video of the His Master's Voice Automatic 1A. What a spectacular machine. Would you know of a source for the incandescent light bulb for the VE-XVI. Does the light also use the lowered AC voltage?

[barnettrp21122]

Ken:
I'm glad you liked the HMV Automatic video!
It's really one of my favorite Orthophonic machines.
I have a frosted "Globe" bulb with an E12 or C7 screw-in base (also called "candelabra) in my machine. You should be able to find this doing an internet search.
It should work on the voltage setting on your machine.
Bob

[MarkELynch]

Bob,

Yes, I really enjoy the videos you have posted, you certainly have a love for these old machines and a professional knack for explaining the technical features. We are very fortunate that you share your knowledge with us!

In addition to the appendix of LFTD the Victor Service Bulletin for the Universal motor is also posted in the forum’s Archive section.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=53478

Mark

[Phono-Phan]

The turntable on this machine is interesting. There is a pin on the spindle shaft but not a groove on the bottom of the turntable. There is a spring loaded ball bearing on the turntable that holds it on the spindle shaft. Was this designed to let the turntable slip to avoid damaging the gear train? There is also a neat accessory to lift the reproducer. It mounts in the tone arm U-tube. I found a light bulb for this also. Thanks for all the help with this one. I just need to find a couple of door pulls and the one for the motor board.

[barnettrp21122]

Ken:
I think you're right about the turntable spring and ball bearing setup, though I think too that the torque of the universal motor is strong enough to cause a regular Victor turntable hub's shallow groove to jump off the spindle pin during startup. Just a guess though. This feature wasn't needed later with the induction motors.
Also interesting is the automatic shutoff assembly, geared to the motor, that will trip the start lever after about 14 minutes if the electric motor is left running unattended.
Bob