Rowe Model 1100 information

[markg]

I was recently given an orphaned Rowe Model 1100 mechanism.  What I'd like to do is to restore it to working order so that I can use it to demonstrate its record handling mechanics.  I'm new to the forum and to juke boxes although I have some background in electromechanical pinball machines.

I think my first step has to be to find the available documentation and study up on what I have, what's missing and how it's supposed to work.  From what I've read the Model 1100 was used in a number of different juke boxes in the 1970s like the MM-5 with some minor variations over time.  If there are different versions is there a way to identify which version I have?  The serial number is 579594 if that helps.  If I can identify the version I have which manual(s) would I need for restoration (service manual, parts catalog, troubleshooting, etc.)?  Are any of these in the public domain or are they only available from resellers?

Finally, assuming I can find appropriate documentation do you have any idea what it would take to recreate the missing pieces?  I assume for example that I'll need to either find or build a selector.  How elaborate is that interface?  I may also add a tiny modern amp just to prove that the record is playing.  What I hope for in the end is a working, interactive mechanism on display to show off the ingenuity that is often hidden from view.

Thanks,

/Mark

[Ron Rich]

HI Mark,
Check our FAQs dept for info on manuals. I honestly don't know enough about that system to help-- Maybe someone can chime in ?
Ron Rich

[amiman66]

Hello Mark,

Welcome to the group.

So you have been given an 1100 jukebox mechanism, the serial number on it will not aid you in determining which jukebox it may have come out of.

The 1100 mechanism was in use from the 1963 Model L (there were two versions JAL & JAL) up to the 1980 R-80. We need to see some pictures of the cam switch plates (to see if it has a two sets of switches on plates or just a single plate) we also need to see which transfer motor it has this also determines the mechanism age and also determines how it should be be wired.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[markg]

Thank you both for the welcome an replies.  It appears that my Model 1100 has two cam switch plates.  I can attach a photo if you need more detail.  As for the transfer motor, I took my best guess at where it is and what might be important features:

Do these include the details you're looking for?

Thanks,

/Mark

[amiman66]

Hello Mark,

Thank you for the pictures, they do not provide the information I wished to see but they do show that you have to degrease the various parts such as the Stop Plate Assembly, Sprag Wheel etc. I can see that the large blue toothed gear (Pinion & Plate Assembly part number 301-05181) the teeth look worn, if you get a missing tooth then the mechanism does not work and can jam up.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[markg]

Yes, I do have some quality degreasing time ahead of me.  Can you clarify what would help you identify this mechanism?  Is the transfer motor the motor barely visible in the 1st photo for example, or is it another motor entirely?  Are you looking for RPM and Spec numbers from that motor or some other characteristic?  The motor I thought was the transfer motor in those photos is mounted between the record rack and the rest of the mechanism and seems hard to get to and photograph.

Thanks,

/Mark

[Ron Rich]

Mark,
The "transfer" (aka "gripper motor") is the motor that moves the "gripper arm", which grabs and "transfers" the record from/to the basket located on one end of the mechanism--Many "Micro Switches" surround it. Ron Rich

[markg]

Ok.  Is this the one?

 

[Ron Rich]

Yes-sir--attsa a "transfer motor--Please read your messages-- Ron Rich

[amiman66]

Hello Mark,

My best guess is that the mechanism is out of one of the MM series jukeboxes from 1967 to 1972, it could be earlier but I would have to see a picture of see a of the connections on the mechanism on the left-hand side of the mechanism where the main loom would plug into a plate mounted on the bottom framework. This would have a plug in relay or a fixed relay dependent on the age of the mechanism.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[markg]

Are these the connections and relay in question?

[amiman66]

Hello Mark,

Because the connection plate has a plug in relay but still the two connection sockets my best guess is that the mechanism is from the 1967 MM-1 or 1968 MM-2. Prior to this time the 1100 mechanism had a fixed relay under the connection plate and by the introduction of the MM-5 (1970) and MM-5 (1971)which had the plug in relay on a plate just under the transfer motor.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[markg]

Hello Alan,

Thank you for the identification.  If the MM-1 and MM-2 both used this mechanism would I be safer to look for MM-2 documentation assuming it might have any later revisions, or should they be about the same as far as the Model 1100 mechanism is concerned?  Also, I've seen several kinds of documentation including the Service Manual, Parts Catalog, Troubleshooting Manual, etc.  Would I need all of them or would the Service Manual and/or the Troubleshooting Manual cover my reverse engineering effort?  I'm mostly looking for theory or operation, schematic diagrams, etc.  Finally, I haven't found these manuals available for download.  Are they under copyright protection?

Thanks again,

/Mark

[amiman66]

Hello Mark,

Yes they are under copyright protection. I do not like to view schematics or instruction on a screen I prefer to read them from a book or even a printed page.

From a mechanical point of view the adjustments and parts are basically the same on all of the 1100 mechanisms, the wiring is different with regards to the single and two plate cam switches mechanisms so exchanging one mechanism for another can be out of the question without modifications made to the wiring.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[markg]

It's taken a while but I bought a manual and have started cleaning the 1100 mechanism. As Alan mentioned above the Pinion and Plate assembly (the big gear with the blue teeth) is missing all but three teeth. I'm trying to imagine how so many teeth could have broken off. Can the search mechanism work with missing teeth if it doesn't jam? If so I can imagine that the the juke box just took longer and longer to find the selected record as more and more teeth dropped out over time leaving fewer teeth to do the work.

I have a question though about the Magazine Drive Shaft assembly that drives that big gear. After disassembly, cleaning and reassembly I notice much more friction while turning the shaft than I expect. The shaft passes through a pair of bearings lined with plastic or nylon sleeves. Once cleaned I expected the shaft to spin somewhat freely in the bearings. Is the friction intended to help bring the shaft to a sudden stop or do I have a problem of some kind?

I tried to append a photo but apparently the forum has exceeded its limit.

Thanks,

/Mark