The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone,

I just recently replaced the governor springs on my Victor V. It fixed the uneven speed problem I was having, so that was a good thing.

The problem is that after that, all my records would play way too fast. I finally adjusted it so the records would spin at 78 RPM (I had to move the governor as close to the spur gear as possible, and unscrew the speed control screw as far as it would go to accomplish this) but now when I turn the speed control to anything below 60 RPM, the governor stops the turntable entirely.

I just can't seem to get all the different components (speed control screw and governor shaft, etc.) to coordinate so the speed control works at all speeds.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!

Bob

you can try moving the contact pad support a little bit (it's held by a set screw on the shaft) to get close to normal speed then do the final tuning with the screw under the speed control while it is set at 78 RPM.

post pictures of your motor, people will be more inclined to share their opinions.

Bob,
I just recently had a similar problem on my Vic V. There was a small set screw that held the the speed control pad/arm in place on the speed control arm (the arm between the speed control and the governor assembly). I loosened that set screw and adjusted the distance from the pad to the governor's "fly wheel"(friction disc) and then tested speed. I kept making this adjustment until the dial read 78 and the digital tachometer I was using agreed that the platter was spinning at 78 rpm. It took MANY adjustments, but I finally got it right. I did the same tonight on an L-door I am working on and did it in two adjustments, so I am getting a little better at it and you will too. There is a spring between the arm that holds the friction pad and the side of the housing in which the arm pivots. be careful not to let the pad assembly be pushed toward the center of the governor (axle) by this spring when you loosen the set screw. It will try to move in that direction, so as you loosen the set screw you simultaneously have to keep the friction pad arm from moving toward the axle of the governor and push it slightly toward the "fly wheel" (friction disc). If you keep at it, you will eventually get it. I gave up the first night I tried, but when I went after it the next day, I made faster progress. I just needed to calm down and think about it.
Hope this helps you!
Matt

mattrx,

If I read you correctly, you are talking about the set screw that connects the speed control arm to the "yoke" that has the two friction leathers on it?

If so, I have already tried moving that out, and when I do, it puts the speed control arm so low that the speed control adjuster would have to be twice as long as it is to reach it. That set screw needs to be in as far as it can go just to make all the parts fit together.

I can get the turntable to read 78RPM, but the problem is when I slow it down below 60, the governor stops the turntable - when I adjust it so it won't stop, then it is way too fast.

I took some pictures, but am having some difficulty in posting them...

In the absence of photos, I'll have to ask some basic questions:

- What condition are the governor pads in? If they are worn down too far, it might require the drastic adjustments you've mentioned.

-Does the flange move in and out freely? If there is gummed up oil, dust, or damage on the shaft, that might prevent the weights from moving out properly.

-Is it possible the supplier may have sent you springs that are just a bit too heavy for the governor?

As for posting photos: if you click on the 'choose file' box under 'attachments', you should get a drop-down box listing your locations. Find the place where you store your photos, and select the appropriate files. Click 'Add the file', and it should load; if you want to embed the photo, click 'place inline'. You should be able to drag the photo to the position you want in the post.

If you have the photos on a website, you can bookmark the site and post the URL.

I hope this helps.

Bill

Whenever I try to attach a photo I get a message saying the file is invalid, either by embedding or posting it directly through the upload feature.

I believe the culprit must be the springs, since the machine was adjusted just fine before I replaced them. I got them at the show in Wayne NJ on Sunday - when I told the gentleman which machine I have, he gave me these springs. They certainly look the same as the ones that I replaced.

The flange is moving freely up and down the shaft, so I don't think that's the problem.

The governor pads have a good ¼ - ⅜" left to them.

I will keep on trying to post some pictures.

Bob

Yay!

BTW, how is that brass governor flange removed? I don't see any screw that holds it on place. If I can remove that, maybe I can get to the part that holds the speed arm control, and try to adjust that a little.

I had the dickens of a time not long ago with a Victor governor replacing the weights and springs. Turns out I had not noticed the tiny screws fastening the springs were of two different lengths. The longer screws fasten to the fixed collar nearest the turntable shaft, and the shorter screws are used on the sliding friction disc.
I had mistakenly put one or more longer screws on the friction disc, and it was long enough to keep the disc from moving properly on the governor shaft when running. Eric Reiss mentions this in his book "The Compleat
Talking Machine," pages 23-24, but of course I didn't read that part until after I had figured it out myself!
Hope this helps!
Bob

I checked the screws, and they are all the same length.

I'm almost tempted to put the old springs back in, but the pitch variations are so obvious that it is annoying to listen to records that way.

I'm just stumped -----