Humming noise on my Seeburg DS 160

[DaveJen]

Hi all, I've had my Seeburg DS 160 for a while now and I've noticed when playing a record on the intro and fade out there is a distinctive rise and fall humming noise. I've pulled the tone arm away whilst it's playing a record and it's not there, so i don't think it's amp related, therefore it must be mechanical. I personaly think somethings become worn and needs replacing as it wasn't there when I first got it.

I must admit I'm very green regarding jukebox repair, but I love the thing and I use it most days.  Any help would be welcome.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Dave,
In this case, the first thing I think I would check are the two "isolation bearings" in the turntable (TT), to see if they are truly preforming their function. This is a very simple procedure. Remove the mechanism cover, use your left hand to grasp the TT, and see if you have any "play" when you slightly twist it in both directions --it should feel "rubbery" ("spongy") not like the TT is directly connected to the shaft. If when doing this, you feel it "snap loose", you have most likely corrected your problem, and nothing further need be done, except for -PROPERLY- oiling it, and, playing the jukebox more often ! If this does not cure it--get back and I'll add more--Ron Rich

[jakedaniel]

If Ron Rich's suggestion doesn't work for you, try changing out the motor mounts.  I had the exact same problem with mine.  Same kind of rise-and-fall hum, most noticeable at the beginning and end but always there.  Worse on some records than others.  I changed the motor mounts and that solved it.  You might as well change your flex coupling while you're in there and the little rubber button the bottom of the motor sits on as well.  They're cheap and you can order them the same time as the mounts.  Good Luck!

[DaveJen]

Hi all, your tip didn't work Ron, so I'll have to try Jakes suggestion. Is it a difficult job to do, as I have heard it's hard to put the motor mounts on. Any information would be grateful.

[Ron Rich]

OK --if that did not help,I would look at the lubrication of, and all of the thrust adjustments, then I would suggest the motor coupler may either be "stiff" or the coupler is incorrectly installed. .
Motor mounts require removing the old ones (prying off) and installing (pounding on) new ones. However, in most cases, if you have a Bodine motor, and you can't see any problem with them, they are probably OK--
One other thing you might check--needles, and needle pressure. If you are using "cheap" aftermarket needles, the volume control must be turned up very high to get sound. This upsets the RIAA curve and causes the AVC to rush on at the start/end of records--Ron Rich

[jakedaniel]

Apr 11, 2017 18:06:55 GMT Ron Rich said:

OK --if that did not help,I would look at the lubrication of, and all of the thrust adjustments, then I would suggest the motor coupler may either be "stiff" or the coupler is incorrectly installed. .
Motor mounts require removing the old ones (prying off) and installing (pounding on) new ones. However, in most cases, if you have a Bodine motor, and you can't see any problem with them, they are probably OK--
One other thing you might check--needles, and needle pressure. If you are using "cheap" aftermarket needles, the volume control must be turned up very high to get sound. This upsets the RIAA curve and causes the AVC to rush on at the start/end of records--Ron Rich

Ron Rich knows more about these machines than I ever will. I'd take his advice over mine any day of the week so definitely check out what he's recommending you check out. I would just say,that changing the motor mounts and that little rubber plug at the bottom of the motor wasn't really hard at all. Yes, the mounts were pressed onto the motor but it wasn't an incredibly tight fit. The rubber in mine was shrunk up and separated from the metal inside and outside rings of the mount, they fell apart in my hands as I took the motor off. Anyway, he's recommending you check out/possibly change the motor coupling and to do that you'll need to disconnect the motor from the mechanism,you'll be able to check the mounts for yourself at that point. Good luck to you and I hope you run this problem down.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Guys,
If the motor mounts came off easily, and the new ones do not fit tightly, you can have problems. When that happens, I wrap a layer of masking tape around the hub on the motor, coat it with contact cement, and pres on the new mounts. I have had no problems with any I have done this way, in the last 30-40 years--- Ron Rich

[jakedaniel]

What happened with mine was when I took the motor off the mech, the mounts came apart. The inner rings stayed on the motor but the rest came off in my hands. The rubber was all shrunken and sagging badly. Anyway, to get the inner metal rings of the old mounts off the motor, all I did was use a large pair of channel locks to grip and twist the ring, and a thin blade screwdriver to get underneath it. I had to work at it a bit, but they came off without much fuss. The new ones, I just lightly tapped on with a hammer and a little drift. Anyone wanting to do this might as well order a motor coupling, the mounts, and the little rubber button the the bottom of the motor rests on when it's in place on the mech. To replace any of those, you've got the motor off so why not replace them all while you're there? Good luck!

[moviefun]

Interesting, found this as I’m having the exact same issue on my SMC-3 and am fairly sure it’s not electronics.

I’m going to change the mounts and flex coupling, but curious about the AVC and needles. I have the yellow ‘needles for jukeboxes’ and the sound is great, but what Ron mentioned sounds like exactly what I’m hearing. I have a little 60hz hum anyway in my house and if this was over driving, that would be it.

Anyway to adjust or trick? Is this a known issue with these needles?

[Ron Rich]

Hi,
Aftermarket needles have been a problem since about 1955 ! READ, the needle "sticky", above this post. One batch of them may be OK, and the next batch "krappy"-- If your SMC has a NIDEC brand, motor on it, the mounts are "less good" then those that were used on a Bodine. Also, if that unit has ever "stalled ( very common with the original types of MCU's), there is the likely-hood that the motor coupler is no longer flexible, and is transferring motor noise through it. This is especially true if the motor has not been oiled with the proper oil ! Fill the two oil cups 3-4 more times, prior to changing anything ! (BTW-- I do have "brand new" factory spec'ed motor couplings-- see the parts for sale posts). Ron Rich

[moviefun]

Ron -

Sent you a message about the coupling. Interestingly, there was an 80’s watch band under the carriage and it had definitely stiffened the mech.

Hoping cleaning it out and changing things out will solve for good.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mike,
Gottit !
Ron Rich