Victrolita motor problems

[Ampico66]

Hello all --

I bought a Victrolita (mahogany finish) and the problem I'm having is that when you crank it, the crank spins backwards, thus all the spring power is being released back and not going to drive the turntable. If I hold the crank, the motor works properly.

Could anyone advise me how this motor was designed to work and maybe send a photo?

Thanks!

Damon

[AllWoundUp]

not sure about your specific model but usually there's a kind of ratchet mechanism in there (on the same shaft as the spring barrel or crank) with a toothed wheel and a pawl that engages the teeth so the crank will only turn one way. You should hear a clank-ckank-clank noise as you crank. It may be there's a build up of grease and dirt keeping the pawl from engaging the teeth. I had this happen on my VV-VIII, may just need a clean and lube.

Here's a pic from one of mine:

ratchet.jpg (112.63 KiB) Viewed 1928 times

Hope this helps,

Mark

[estott]

I think the motor on that model uses a spring coil system to restrain the crank. The crankshaft is surrounded by several coils of a wire spring with one end secured to the motor. Winding the shaft clockwise opens up the coils and the shaft turns. When the shaft turns counterclockwise the coils tighten up. There are usually two reasons this system fails- the link to the motor breaks and the spring just turns, or the spring slips because it's worn or (most often) it has been oiled. To work properly it must be oil free.

[Ampico66]

Yeah, there seems to be a spring coil around the crank. I've just never seen anything but the ratchet type crank restraint as on every other spring-wound Victor product. Thanks for the advice, both of you!

[gramophoneshane]

If the coiled spring wont work properly on the dry shaft, I've fixed them many times by closing the spring diametre a little. I heat the spring with my little gas blow torch. For lighter springs, I'll hold both ends with pliers & twist it, or for heavier springs, I'll gently hammer it, starting at one end & working my way along the spring while rolling it.
If the end of the spring has broken & you dont have a replacement, you can normally get away with uncoiling one loop of the spring & reshaping the end. Some have a kinked end that go through a hole or over a tab on the top plate of the motor, while others are secured by a screw. Again it's best to heat the end first, and dip it in water when finished to retemper the metal.
Thorens used this spring system on a lot of their cheaper small motors.

[Brad]

I have never seen this and am having difficulty picturing it based upon the descriptions. Can anyone post a picture, or vector us to a thread that has such a picture?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[estott]

If you can find a copy of The Compleat Talking Machine by Eric Reis the device is described and pictured.

[gramophoneshane]

Here's a picture of the spring on a Thorens motor (bottom left). This one is secured by a screw at the end.

[chem_jv]

I have acquired this machine now, and the motor has been repaired and works smoothly. I noticed when I had the spring out, it had VTMC 9 ½ stamped into it. Also to note, you can really tell Victor was cutting corners where ever they could to keep the cost on this little machine down. I'll have more photo's of it once I get it fully restored and operational.

[Shane]

I would be very interested in hearing if you get this machine to work. I have a Victrolita as well. It was my first machine, and it has never worked right, no matter what I do. The motor just doesn't seem to have enough power to play anything other than a batwing or scroll Victor label record.... it slows down and stops within 10 seconds on any other type of record. When I couldn't figure it out, I even sent the thing to a professional repairman, to only mediocre results. If this weren't my first machine and didn't have the sentimental value, I would have sold this thing off LONG ago.