The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought a really pretty oak VE-XVI. When started the motor turns very slowly. I oiled both ends of the motor shaft and this helped a bit but not enough. The Victrola is designed to work on either a supply voltage of 110 or 220 volts AC or DC by changing the wiring at the resistors (or transformers ?) at the back of the cabinet. It came to me wired for 110 volts. I checked the voltage at the plug that attaches to the motor and the voltage was about 12 volts. I checked a similar machine in my collection and the voltage was 120 volts. This suggests to me that the set of resistors is bad.

If the other machine in my collection takes 120v at the motor plug, what happens if I bypass the resistors and wire directly to the plug for the switch and the plug for the motor?

I'd prefer to keep my machine original. Does anyone have a set of resistors that they'd sell me.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or opinions, Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:I bought a really pretty oak VE-XVI. When started the motor turns very slowly. I oiled both ends of the motor shaft and this helped a bit but not enough. The Victrola is designed to work on either a supply voltage of 110 or 220 volts AC or DC by changing the wiring at the resistors (or transformers ?) at the back of the cabinet. It came to me wired for 110 volts. I checked the voltage at the plug that attaches to the motor and the voltage was about 12 volts. I checked a similar machine in my collection and the voltage was 120 volts. This suggests to me that the set of resistors is bad.

If the other machine in my collection takes 120v at the motor plug, what happens if I bypass the resistors and wire directly to the plug for the switch and the plug for the motor?

I'd prefer to keep my machine original. Does anyone have a set of resistors that they'd sell me.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or opinions, Jerry Blais

If it has a universal motor it will burn up as they are designed for 32volt operation.You need to check the resistance of each resistor, one may be open.

If you want to check them yourself:

The standard resistances for 100- 130Volt operation 180, 205, or 230 ohms for the motor. Start with the 205 tap, if the motor has no power use the 180 tap, if it runs too fast use the 230 ohm tap.

You want 30-36 volts at the motor terminals with the motor running.

Another problem area on these motors if they have been unused for years is the brushes get stuck to the commutator and the motor just stalls, current goes up and the voltage will drop.





Chuck

Jerry, First of all, Do Not plug the motor directly into the AC line as it will very likely burn up. It's probably a 32 volt motor(see below). You definitely need wiring information for the resistor pack before proceeding. Could you post a photo of the resistor block on the machine that works? It might provide a few clues. Also, check the motors for data plates, which should give you the rated voltage for each.
I did find a few service notes but no diagrams or photos in LFTD, page 271. It specifies the operating voltage for the universal motor (the type which uses the resistors) as 32 volts AC/DC which is set according to how the resistors are connected. I should think that if you can get a setup/operating manual for an electric XVI it would have this info available.

BTW: did you check the voltage on the machine that runs properly with the motor running? You will not get a proper reading at the motor unless there is current through the motor and resistors. Try this again and let us know what you get.

Hope this helps,
Jim

Jerry, maybe you could check voltage at the switch plug. If you get 120 there then the switch is the problem.