Electric Phono Motor Question / Fairy Phonograph Lamp

[Curt A]

I am at my wits end, trying to find someone who can rewind/fix a motor for my Fairy Phonograph Lamp. What I am considering as a temporary fix (not altering the original parts in any way) was to use a 78 rpm turntable motor from a jukebox. Does anyone know of a direct drive type motor that would handle the weight of a 12" steel turntable and the resulting drag from the acoustic reproducer and steel needle?

I have been researching the original Fairy motor for over 8 months and cannot find anything about it regarding amps, hp and rpms - there is no tag on any of the three that I have looked at. I am restoring a second Fairy lamp that has the same motor problem as my first one - motor spins, but slows to a stop with any load. I have been told that the motor is a strange one since it is wound for three different types of power. Parts for these phonos are non-existent, thus the idea of using a strong jukebox turntable motor which is already running at 78 rpms. The original motor has a resistor to cut the power and uses a pulley - governor - worm screw to meshed gear transmission to run the turntable and the speed is controlled by a simple brake mechanism. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Curt

[JerryVan]

Curt,

Why do you believe the motor needs to be fixed? You state that the phonograph has three different power options. It sounds like the ones you have are simply set-up to operate at different voltages. Not knowing where you're from, or more importantly, where the phonographs were first sold, I'm wondering if they might be set to run on 25 cycle current as was used in Canada way back when.

My other guess is that the resistor may be meant to drop the operating voltage to 32V. Have you measured the voltage at the motor?

[Mr Grumpy]

Hey Curt,

I've been trying to restore an old 78rpm turntable with a direct drive motor and have been having the exact same problem trying to locate a suitable replacement motor.

I'm going to try wiring in an 80rpm DC motor (without modifying any original parts) with a PWM speed control to fine tune the speed.
The motor will have to drive a changer mechanism so I opted for a 24volt but I assume a 12 would have done as well.
I tested the power by making an adapter to attach my 14volt cordless drill to the mechanism and everything functioned smoothy.
My only concern with this set up will be the noise of the motor. If it's too loud I do have an 80Rpm AC option from a few surplus stores that will work if I include an electric fan to keep it cool.

Let me know if you want a few ebay links to these options, otherwise you could also try http://www.mcmaster.com/ they have electric AC motors but are a bit on the expensive side.

[Curt A]

I would love any eBay links to options. I thought of the same ideas that you are considering, since a drill motor would definitely drive it - I was just concerned about the high pitched whine of a drill or other tool motor. Strangely enough, after I posted this, I discovered a motor that I believe is exactly what I need - a Willcox & Gibbs sewing machine motor. These are normally very hard to find without having to buy an entire machine and that is usually expensive. I got the motor for $84 plus shipping, so I am going to try it out. This motor is the correct vintage - approx. 1920 - the correct size, and is a universal motor made by Westinghouse.