Question on Victrola Motor

[rizbone]

I recently bought a parts machine (someone sawed the legs off) and was wondering if anyone could tell me about the motor. It is a fairly early VV XVI (not early enough to be an L door but just about). It has a three spring female crank motor, but the crank is unusual in that the inner diameter is larger than average. The walls are so thin it appears to have broken off. Does anyone know when and how long this type of crank was used. Also, is this a particularly rare/desirable motor (I'm thinking of turning down the motor part so I can use a standard female crank). Picture attached if that helps.

[antique1973]

I am pretty sure that is the 3 spring that also fits in a Victor V, so modifying it would
not be recommended. Tim Fabrizio could probably get you a repro crank handle that fits
for less $ than an original.

[rizbone]

Thanks. I don't really have a use for it at this time so if anyone in the Wash DC area has a need feel free to contact me.

[Uncle Vanya]

I am pretty sure that is the 3 spring that also fits in a Victor V, so modifying it would
not be recommended..

Well, not quite.

The motor has PARTS which will fit the motor in a Victor V, but only parts. This is a 1913-1914 motor with "quad-cut' gears. The turntable spindle will fit a Victor V, if the hole for the cross-pin which supports the turntable is re-drilled and a quad-cut Bull Gear is used. The governor and governor gear will fit a victor V motor, if both are replaced at the same time. The spring barrels will fit a Victor V, as wll the Bull Gear, IF a quad-cut turntable spindle is used. The main motor casting may be usedin a Victor V, but the curved support for the turntable spindle will not work. The speed control will fit a Victor V, but will not be correct, as it is engraved differently.

This motor is wound directly form the center of the springs, with no gear reduction. It fits in the machine backward when compared to a Victor V motor, and when used in a Victor V case the crank would be not only be on the wrong side of the machine, but it would be so low that the machine could not be would unless it was pa;ced on the very edge of a table.

This is a useful motor, but not a particularly valuable one.

[rizbone]

Thanks for that info. I bought the machine for the taper tube and gold hardware (only cost $90) and hung on to the motor in case I needed springs or other parts. Does anyone know how long this style of crank was in use, or when?

[antique1973]

I am pretty sure that is the 3 spring that also fits in a Victor V, so modifying it would
not be recommended..

Well, not quite.

The motor has PARTS which will fit the motor in a Victor V, but only parts. This is a 1913-1914 motor with "quad-cut' gears. The turntable spindle will fit a Victor V, if the hole for the cross-pin which supports the turntable is re-drilled and a quad-cut Bull Gear is used. The governor and governor gear will fit a victor V motor, if both are replaced at the same time. The spring barrels will fit a Victor V, as wll the Bull Gear, IF a quad-cut turntable spindle is used. The main motor casting may be usedin a Victor V, but the curved support for the turntable spindle will not work. The speed control will fit a Victor V, but will not be correct, as it is engraved differently.

This motor is wound directly form the center of the springs, with no gear reduction. It fits in the machine backward when compared to a Victor V motor, and when used in a Victor V case the crank would be not only be on the wrong side of the machine, but it would be so low that the machine could not be would unless it was pa;ced on the very edge of a table.

This is a useful motor, but not a particularly valuable one.

Wow ok, so are you saying that although some of the parts will fit in a Victor V it can only be used
in a VV-XVI?

[Uncle Vanya]

Yes.

The winding mechanism is on the wrong side. here is a picture of a Victor V motor:



Now here is the picture posted of the motor in question:



Note that in addition to the winding crank being on the wrong side of the machine, it would be too low, particularly since the winding
crank on this motor odes not have a gear reduction drive, so a long throw crank is necessary to gain sufficient leverage so that winding would not require too much force.

Think of the difficulty of winding a mid-period Victrola IV, say a model E, with its direct drive and short throw crank. That level of difficulty would not be acceptable to a purchaser of a Vic V or an XVI.

[AZ*]

I used to own a Victrola XVI with this style motor. The other interesting thing about it is the unusual location of the speed control -- at the back, not the front.

[fran604g]

Hi, newbie here with a recently purchased VV-VXI sn63448 E and May 27,1912 rta on the back label.

That is the exact same motor unit in mine.

The speed control is at top left of the motorboard, the crank handle is on the right. I am wondering if this is a correct motor for my unit? The machine is VG/excellent condition both cosmetically and mechanically. It all looks original and has not been restored. Even the rubber mount for the exhibition reproducer looks to be original, as it is dried out and crumbling (getting a new one from Tim Fabrizio, soon.)

I do note that mine doesn't have the proper crank handle for this machine and now I'm wondering if this motor has been replaced.

I posted this here because of the context in this thread, please excuse me for thread crapping.

Thanks for any help!

[rizbone]

It is probably the correct motor. Hopefully yours has a standard sized crank, but before you spend money on a victor female crank you may want to find someone who has one and try their crank on your motor. My example requires a larger hole than the standard one, and my crank was snapped off at the threads. I expect victor changed the design, found that cranks were breaking off, and either went back to the old style or forward to the male crank.