victor vv-90 winding and play time question

[Sansenoi]

1. how many cranks should it take to wind from fully wound down to fully wound up? I get 49-51 each time.

2. how many average record sides can one play on one winding? I get about 2

any info would help in my refurb.

thanks

[David Spanovich]

I used to have a VV-80, which had the same motor. I think I was able to turn the crank about 50 times before I felt some resistance. I only wound it all the way a couple of times--about 55-60 turns of the crank. It would play about 2 ½ to 3 ten inch records on a full winding.

I have a VV-4-40, now, which also uses the two spring motor. Normally, I give it about 30 turns of the crank and play a record, and then give it about 15-20 turns for each additional record I play.

In case you need it, there's a copy of the VV-90 owner's manual on this page --

http://www.nipperhead.com/old/vic90.htm

Just click on the thumbnail images to make them full size for viewing or printing.

HTH,
DS

[Sansenoi]

thanks for the quick reply and link. until yesterday, I have never cranked a gramophone before and the one I bought had broken springs that I had to fix today. I was just wondering about how much I reduced the # of cranks by reducing a couple of inches off the spring.

The springs are weak, I have to set it all the way fast to get the correct speed.

[HisMastersVoice]

The springs are weak, I have to set it all the way fast to get the correct speed.

You may also need to adjust the governor. New governor springs wouldn't hurt, either. They are only a few cents each.

[David Spanovich]

The springs are weak, I have to set it all the way fast to get the correct speed.

They should probably be replaced, at some point. A Victrola motor is pretty powerful, and on a full winding should easily play a record or two without slowing down, providing the motor is properly lubricated and the sound box is in good or restored condition. In other words, you shouldn't have to turn the speed control all the way to fast just to get it to play a record. One way to test the power of the motor is to pinch the spindle when it is wound. It should take quite a bit of pressure to slow it down.

I agree with Brandon. It's also possible that the governor may need some adjustment. It should start to spin the moment you turn the crank. Also, make sure that it's seated properly, according to the instructions in the videos, and that the leather foot has been given a drop or two of lightweight oil.

In addition to a sluggish motor or frozen sound box, a worn needle will slow down the record--it's best to use a steel needle only once, to play one side of a record. Also, the record itself can be the cause. Your Victrola was specifically designed to play (lateral cut) records produced during the acoustic recording era--before about 1925-1926. It will play records made into the 1930s, but they may come out shrill sounding.

If you can, provide a list of some of the records you are playing--the brand name on the record--Victor, Columbia, etc.; the title/artist, and the record's serial number, which should appear on the label.

DS

[Sansenoi]

how do you mean "adjust the governor"?

the only thing I did was oil the pads and put grease in its arbor bearings then set a little bit of play in its arbor. I have not adjusted the speed indicator needle to point to 78 at 78 rpm yet.

[Sansenoi]

beat me to the answer before I posted last question.

i'm in need of new needles, I was using a beat up chet atkins red label record to test the motor.

can an old needle with no rust really slow down a record or stop it? wow if so.

i will check on the other tips and tension test you mentioned tomorrow. It's getting late here where I am.

thanks for the tips

[David Spanovich]

can an old needle with no rust really slow down a record or stop it? wow if so.

If it's new old stock--that is, it's never been used to play a record--then it's fine. But, once a needle has played one side of a record, the point is worn down by the record groove slightly to resemble a chisel surface. If you remove that needle and reinsert it to play another record, at a later time, you are actually gouging out the record's groove and destroying it.

When you have a chance, look over some of the information on this site -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/ especially http://www.victor-victrola.com/Needles.htm

DS

[Orthophonic]

Your record may well be the problem. Later records such as the one by Chet Atkins were made for electric pickups and are of a fairly soft material which will drag a windup type machine down. Try a Victor record which does not have either changer or starting lead in and lead out grooves; your problem may well get solved right there!
All the very best!
John

[Henry]

FYI, my XI, predecessor of the 80 and 90, takes 32 turns of the winding key to be fully wound (two-spring motor) and runs for about eight minutes on one complete winding.