Rowe AMI Cadette CMM1 restoration - help needed

[Ron Rich]

Eugen,
I think I have heard that -- somewhere, before IMHO, the bad is some, of the e-ballasts, are subject to catching fire. I have sen several burn up, so far. One, admittedly was "over-fused"-- but it seems to me that when a lamp fails, the e-ballast must either blow the (correct!) fuse, or give up it's internal smoke ! (?) Ron Rich

[jukenorman]

I have never installed an electronic ballast in a jukebox so have no experience but I've known others who have done it and have never heard any adverse comments. I go the LED route to replace defective fluorescents. Gobsmacked = utterly astonished, local slang!
Norman.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Norman,
I have seen three jukes that have had various degrees of damage from the e-ballasts-- my advise is to fuse them at the lowest possible value !! Or, actually, I still like/use the old mechanical style, as they are readily available through any one of the suppliers listed in our FAQ's section. As for the definition-- thanks, I had ASSumed that--Exactly ! ( My born/raised in England, Grandmother was a very well educated woman-- she had a command of language I still admire today ! As I got old enough, I realized that she cold tell the "dirtiest story", using not one "bad word". Many days I sat in her kitchen {she loved to "cook"}, holding my sides as she talked--). Ron Rich

[viperz]

I went scavenging today... Found one transformer in my parents' basement - they went LED way... Found 2nd in local surplus warehouse.
Well, one out of my parents' lamp is silent. I installed it on rubber washers just in case.

Now I just need to wait for new Rowe fluorescent socket from the States. I will type and print record labels in the meantime - you know, the fun stuff

[viperz]

Gentlemen, one other thing, just to be sure... There is no such thing as free play mode on this jukebox, right?

[Ron Rich]

Eugen,
PLEASE read the "Hi Newbies" and "how a jukebox works " posts, in our FAQ's section ! Ron Rich

[viperz]

Just had a scare with this jukebox. Had to put it at somewhat of an angle to access screws for bottom grill (was reinstalling that grill). Looks like pins in the search unit slightly pushed out.
I picked a song, buttons engaged and stayed engaged in, then 15-20 seconds later mechanisms came to life and started playing. Happened three times in a row. I lifted record changer mechanism, tilted it towards me, shook it slightly, and everything went back to normal. Lucky or is there a more serious issue?

[viperz]

Ron, I read the FAQ, but I'm pretty sure the free play option is model specific. I have sent the ones with electronic controls have the button. Mine doesn't seem to have any buttons or levers to make it play continuously for free.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
I think you may be mixing up terms-- Starting in about 1955, Seeburg added a "credit", convenience, test button, on the keyboard, that allowed the tech to TEST the phono, without having to use a coin. They already had a hidden credit add, button on the pricing unit. Other makers added this in later years, but it was NOT intended for the public to use, to "free play" the phono. Free play for customers, became available with the electronic, programmable jukeboxes, with out having to "jury rig" something. Ron Rich

[viperz]

Ron, I appreciate the clarification. It is interesting that the schematic shows "add credit" push button symbol on the credit unit besides contacts for various type of coins. For the world of me I cannot find find that push button on my credit pricing unit. I just want to know as much as I can about this jukebox, so I could understand and verify every possible function.

Hopefully, I will print and cut the record labels tomorrow. Then rebuild the door lamp holders when the replacement will arrive, and this jukebox will be playing in my man-cave for the years to come.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
Since I think I may have seen that model opened--- once-- don't recall it-- Rowe used a red push button that was up on the right hand side of some models about where the door opened. Look around for it, as it really was not noticeable, unless you were aware it should be somewhere in that area. I don't recall any "label" being on it, but that was, an add credit(s)button. Ron Rich

[viperz]

That button is only shown on the schematic, but not on any harness diagrams and is not mentioned in the manual. Must be someone's oversight or some optional accessory. Definitely not there. Oh well, not a big deal to push credit unit contacts or put quarters in there. I love seeing quarters triggering those contacts anyway.

[jukenorman]

Freeplaying an AMi is usually not difficult, you electrically disable the subtract solenoid in the credit unit to prevent removal of credits. By fitting a toggle switch there, you can go from "free" to "coin" literally at the flick of a switch!
Norman.

[Ron Rich]

Hi All,
Doing it the way Norman suggests, is the safest way, to free play it. Ron Rich

[viperz]

Thank you. That's a good idea and should be a very simple mod, as needed.