Identifying the model of Rockola wallbox

[scudie]

Hi folks as I have had no previous experience with Rockola wallbox's  I was wondering if any one would be able to help with identifying which model of Rockola wall box I have.
I was told that it was a 1546 but on the inside of the front cover there is a paper label that states that it's a 1544.
The rear section is a 120 selection unit, I have looked all over the rear section of the wallbox but can't see a plate or label that identifies the model, which surprised me, there is a number cast in the back plate that reads 14145 but realise this may not be relevant.
The credit accumulator unit has a paper label dated Dec 8 1955 .
The selection pages are numbered in white on a green background.
I have read that the front covers of both the 50 selection & 120 selection units are interchangeable so obviously it may have been swapped. 
Any guidance on this matter would be appreciated
Cheers Scudie

[jukenorman]

There are pictures of Rock-Ola wallboxes in the jukebox-world.de archive, if pictures will help?
Norman.

[scudie]

Hi Norman
Thanks for the suggestion, I had a look on there, there is several photos of 1542, 1546 and 1548 but no photos of a 1544.
They all appear to look very similar externally , some have a painted finish others are chrome.
I did find another site jukeboxhystory.info there is a photo with the heading 1544/ 1546 and a brief explanation stating that they were both 120 select machines but confusingly it states that the 1544 was produced in a hammer tone finish & that the 1546 was chromed.
Cheers Scudie

[Ron Rich]

Scudie,
If produced using both finishes, with interchangeable covers, expect that by today, covers may have been interchanged --- Operators tended to swap parts, whenever it was necessary to put something back into the "revenue adding" position ! Ron Rich

[scudie]

Hi Ron
Yes I agree & realise that could be the case,if you read my original post I suggested it myself ! , what doesn't make sense to me is that according to what I have read elsewhere is that a 1444 should have a painted finish and this cover is chrome and the paper label with the wiring schemetric on which is stuck to the inside of the cover states that it's a 1544. Obviously the information that I have read could be wrong.
I guess what I would like to know is , are there any differences between a 1544 ,& a 1546 other than one of them had a chrome cover & the other didn't.
Should there be any kind of identifying label/ sticker/ plate on the rear section of the unit?
Cheers Scudie

[Ron Rich]

Hi Scudie,
Yes, I noticed that you originally had suggested that-- my thought, which I somehow failed to express, is that maybe RockOla, did like Seeburg did-- If/when chrome was not available, they painted the covers ? Seeburg did a lot of that and replaced the painted ones very inexpensively, later-- I tossed hundreds of both chrome, and painted 3W-1, types, into the trash bin, in the mid 70's--   Ron Rich

[Hildegard]

Hi all,

I checked our paper goods again - and found a picture of 1544 wallbox in the 1436 brochure.
It is not mentioned but for the picture it lokks like painted hammertone.
This information was given on our site too - but only for German speaking user.    I see that it was not translated.
It is now: www.jukebox-world.de/Forum/Archiv/Rock-Ola/R.O.1544.htm

On the picture there is no decal on the front window. If there had been one, then I would guess it being a "Fireball" logo.

Hildegard

[scudie]

His Hildegard
The decal logo on the front Perspex dome (plastic glass) has Comet in gold & Rockola 120 Selections in red. But as discussed earlier could well be from a different model.
Cheers Scudie

[Hildegard]

If I understand right, 1544 was produced first with Rock-Ola 1436 - Fireball. This one came in hammertone finish.
About one year later model 1546 with a chrome finish was introduced with Rock-Ola 1438 which is a Comet. This perspex offered the Comet and 120 logo on it.
So if you have a back with 1544 label and a chrome finish cover with "Comet 120", I agree that it was swapped at some time. Most likely within years of operation is my guess.

Hildegard

[scudie]

Hello Hildegard
The rear section , ie the chassis or mechanism section of this wallbox has no identification label or plate whatsoever, There is a label on the credit unit that is dated December 8th 1955
The only other labels are stuck to the lower part of the inside face of the front chrome cover section, the larger label has a wiring diagram on it and the model 1544 there is another label that is also on the lower inside face of the chrome cover which is circular & is red with a yellow centre with the letters UL in the centre.
Cheers Paul

[Ron Rich]

Hi Paul,
The yellow UL sticker, indicates "Underwriter's Lab. approval. UL is the independent lab that "certifies" (or "listed") the safety of all electrical items. Most states here, will not allow any electrical item sold, without this (now called ), "approval". Ron Rich

[scudie]

Hi Ron
I had sort of guessed that it was nothing to do with the model as I have seen many wallbox's with it displayed inside, usually on the chassis of the unit.
I had thought that it may have been some sort of gaming licence sticker, but now understand that it's a proof of electrical safety.
Cheers Paul

[Ron Rich]

Hi Paul,
IMHO, it is not "proof"-- just "proof" that UL "examined" the item, and "Judged", or, now "Listed", it to be OK(?). I have seen too many instances of an item having that (or the later black) stickers, and still catching fire ! Items sold in Canada, have an "SA sticker" on them, for the same reason(s?). Ron Rich