Rowe AMI Cadette CMM1 restoration - help needed

[wdln]

There are several ways to do free play on a non-computerized model... on one of mine I put a switch on the subtract solenoid feed as jukenorman said. On another that was missing the credit unit entirely, a previous owner has jumpered the 30 volt supply over to another line on the credit unit connector, making it appear as though there was always a credit present (duplicating what the credit unit's wipers and contacts would do). Or you could put a box with a button to add credits near the coin slot, if you like the clunk of the credit being added. Or keep a bucket of quarters nearby for the full experience.

I think the switch on the subtract solenoid is the least-destructive way to do it as it is reversible and can even be made to look somewhat factory if you use some vintage-looking parts. On mine I put that switch inside the juke but it could also be a secret switch on the back.

[viperz]

I really appreciate all the information regarding making this jukebox play for free - I'll save it all for now. Right now, as Dave said, I have a few quarters from 1970s that originally came inside this jukebox lol. I do like the "full" experience starting with putting quarters into the machine.

[viperz]

Loaded jukebox with 45s, and bough 30 more of my favorites. Love this machine!

[viperz]

I am having a weird nuisance... Several records do not trigger end cycle automatically. The needle hits the label and skates back into the grooves. If I move the magnetic end switch back even by a hair, then these records end fine, but several other records do not get to finish completely but a groove or two...

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
Unless the label is pasted on crooked the adjustment is a compromise. The needle should NEVER "hit the paper"- Is the lead out groove bad on the records this happens on ? The "Victor cut off" ™ system is designed to capture the needle at record's end- if it trips or not ! ?? Ron Rich

[viperz]

Ron, I asked the same question myself... The groove is there, but the needle just skates over it. I checked the tracking force, I'm at exactly at 3g on this elliptical n44-7 needle, which is max for the elliptical needle (spherical n44 could go up to 4-5g). If I push the arm just slightly further, the mechanism reacts and lifts and returns the arm. But the problem is if I adjust the switch just by a hair back, then other record do not end. I am at like 7 records not finishing automatically and like 5 not finishing the songs.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
Only things I can think of is 1. A jukebox should not have an elliptical needle that tone arm was not designed for it. 2. Has someone replaced the magnetic switch, and or magnet ? Ron Rich

[viperz]

No, it's an original switch with original magnet. The turntable / changer portion was completely in pieces when I got it. I put it all back together.

You'd think that with correct tracking force, the stylus should track properly. What is confusing is that on these few records, the stylus does seem to skip the run-out groove, and just bounces off the edge of the label. But on other records, there is enough distance to unlock the switch and trigger the mechanism.

It is indeed an interesting idea to install old spherical stylus back and see what it does at 3g and 4g tracking force. I'll give it a try in a week when 14 new records will arrive.

[Ron Rich]

Eugen,
Wrong switch, is probably designed for a more powerful magnet-- get the correct part--install the correct needle at the correct pressure, and I'll bet it will work, just as it was designed to do. Ron Rich

[viperz]

Problem fixed. Even though N44-7 needle is designed to track at 3g max, it does not work right at 3g. The shaft of the needle is too soft and bends up too close to the bottom of the plastic causing it to hit the raised label and "push" it back into the record. I dialed down the tracking force from 3g to 1.98g (this needle is designed to track from 1.5g to 3g). Now needle is catching the run-out grooves, and end cycle works perfectly. I just tried two records, which didn't work previously, and no problems.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
Is this a "Gen-u-whine" Shure built needle, or an aftermarket replacement type ? The cantilever on the aftermarket Seeburg needles has the same type of problems--+ more ! Ron Rich

[viperz]

Ron, I wish! It is an aftermarket Tonar needle and it was still $25USD or so.
I tested 10 45s, which didn't work before, and 6 out of 10 worked fine. 1 that didn't work was warped badly, so I took it out anyway. 3 - I have no idea, all are good records, 2 are pretty much new, but needle still doesn't seem to catch the run-out groove on them. I don't want to spend any more money on it to be honest. I will receive 16 more 45s in excellent condition from the same vendor that I bought records from before - out of 14 that I bought last time, only 1 does not end automatically.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Eugen,
If it were mine, I would source either a genuine Shure, or Rowe, needle and use what it was designed for-- I have no idea as to the quality, or lack of quality, of that needle, but I would need to ASSume, from what you have written, that it was relatively poor. Ron Rich

[viperz]

Ron, I replaced several dozen needles with the ones from Tonar or EVG or Pfantsiel(sp?). 95% are easily good needles. They may not sound as exquisite as Jico or other brand names, but they generally do the job. It is interesting that one record used to end just fine before, but now stopped. Maybe there is dirt in the run-out groove. I'll investigate and wash it on my cleaning machine.

[viperz]

Been playing this jukebox 1-2 hours a day almost every day. I just noticed that it could be more gentle with laying records onto the turntable. Mechanism picks them up gently, but when it's laying them down, it's quite hard on the records in the last inch of movement. I can see two gears that do that - one is like a quarter-gear, and the other smaller is full round gear. I cleaned them and put some lube on them before.

I uploaded a video to this album (the very last one in the album): photos.app.goo.gl/iZviYgJ3UiLphQPMA