Victrola XVI speed adjustment

[52089]

My new XVI runs very slowly, 68-70 rpm tops. It has a round dial speed control. When I remove the aluminum(?)speed control (lower left corner of picture) and allow the control rod to go lower, I can get up to 78+, no problem. How do I adjust either the rod or the governor to get this up to speed with everything where is should be? FYI, I have removed a lot of old built-up grease, but I know it's not perfect. Also, the friction pads are present and appear to be doing their job. Thanks, Kevin.

[OrthoSean]

Kevin,

Look at the screw on the bottom of the speed control, on the underside of the motor board, that should be adjustable. They can be a little tricky to get just right, so you may have to try a few times.

Sean

[Jerry B.]

If Sean's suggestion doesn't work, there's an adjustment where the arm (that has the pad that rubs on the governor wheel) is attached to the rod that makes contact under the speed control. The rod goes from under the speed control to the governor area and the adjustment is on the arm near the governor area.
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As I read my above suggestion, it sounds more complicated than it really is. If someone can explain it better, please do! It's like I had a job writing instructions for installing sink disposals. Jerry Blais

[52089]

Jerry, I think that's more of what I need info on. I have the speed control screwed down as far as it will go and still turn. I need to figure out how I can compensate for this. Thanks!

[OrthoSean]

I think Jerry is referring to the spring loaded piece that holds the governor pads in place. That part is a PAIN to get just right if you go that route. Are you sure the screw at the bottom of the speed control isn't working when you either loosen or tighten it? I can't recall which is which, but one way will make it faster and one slower. My L-door machines are in storage right now so I can't readily look to say which way is which....

Sean

[52089]

Sean - this is the round speed control. Tightening the screw lowers the round, uneven aluminum device, which in turn lowers the rod that controls the friction pads, which in turn makes the machine go faster. So, tighter screw, faster machine. I have my screw as tight as possible (while still allowing turning) and the rod on the lowest part of the aluminum "wheel", so it's going as fast as it can go without adjusting something else. If I take out the aluminum wheel entirely, this allows the rod to go even lower, which brings the speed up to where it should be. I suppose I could bend the rod, but of course, that's never going to be my first choice, so I'm loking for alternatives. I hope that gives you a better, more detailed explanation. Thanks!

[OrthoSean]

Gotcha. I'm wondering if you could move the governor over a touch. You'd have to loosen both of the pins that hold it in place (with the motor run down) and move it. That might do the trick. It's entirely possible that somebody worked on your machine and put the governor back too close to the pads, don't laugh, I've seen this more than once. I'd try that first, just make sure you don't get anything too close so the weights or governor springs end up hitting any gears.

The spring adjustment screw on the end of the speed control rod that Jerry is referring to (I think), has a notch in it. In other words, I'm pretty sure that was made to be set one way, but you can adjust that. That would be a last resort if it were mine, I messed with one of them on an early XIV once and it took me hours to finally get it set back properly.

Sean

[Zeppy]

I actually have the same type of motor, and have the exact opposite problem. I have yet to adjust the motor where any record I play doesn't sound like the Chipmunks. There is a screw that holds the rod to the assembly with the friction pads. You can make adjustment of how close the friction pads are to the governor there by loosening that screw, and moving the yoke in one direction or the other, moving it further/closer to the governor as your need be. Granted, I have yet to get it right on my machines, but I'm closer than I started.

[gramophoneshane]

You can adjust the governor without running the motor down, by moving the governor assembly along the governor shaft. On the opposite end to the governor disc, you'll find 3 screws that secure the springs, and a 4th screw that secures the assembly to the shaft. By loosening that 4th screw, you can move the weights & disc along the shaft without interfering with the position of the worm gear, or having the shaft/governor spin out of control.
If a machine is too fast, you move the assembly so the disc is closer to the felts, or if it's slow (as in this case) move the assembly so the disc moves away from the felts. You normally only have to move it 1mm or so to make a big difference in the speed. Just dont forget to tighten the 4th screw again

[OrthoSean]

Thanks for putting that in understandable writing, Shane! Sometimes it's not easy to type out these procedures for me, but that's basically what I was trying to get at.

Sean