R-85 Lights

[wdln]

Just started working on an R-85 yesterday; got it cheap.  Owner said the 8VDC supply was out.  Turned out to be a blown fuse, which was inexplicably only replaceable after removing the power supply and disassembling it.  So far whatever blew it has not resurfaced, and it plays great.  I also had to fab up one of those "nubs" located in front of the turntable that the gripper rests on, which I did with a little chunk of plastic.  Without it, it was sometimes missing or dropping the record after playing it.

I'm wondering now about the little lights around the front of the case.  Most of mine work (I have spares en route), but I can't get them to flash.  Looking on YouTube it looks like they're supposed to chase-flash like a theater marquee, and then flash to the music when something is playing.  I removed the light control module for inspection and didn't see any obvious burned components.  I did notice today that several of the lights will turn off when a record starts, then come back on when it's finished.  To me that says that they can flash, but whatever drives them to cycle through their pattern is not working.

Anyone ever work on these modules?  Is there a typical component(s) that fails?  This is a "gravy" fix; the jukebox works and sounds great otherwise.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Dave,
I think there is a switch on the lamp control-- my great (but not too long) memory says that it has three "positions" ? Do you have the Service Manual for that phono-- should say in it ! Ron Rich

[wdln]

Yeah, I've tried the switch. It does indeed have 3 positions. Off is definitely off. Flash and On both produce the same results (lamps statically on). I have the field service manual, which does not have complete schematics. It doesn't say much about the lamp control unit; it's listed in the parts list but says to see the schematic for specifics on the circuit board, but there is no schematic in this manual.

[wdln]

I pulled it out again... the board has two large electrolytic caps. I pulled a lead and both tested good. Looks like one was replaced before. I had spares, so I replaced them both. Same result.

Meh... not a big deal. The double-mirror thing the front glass has going on is still pretty cool even without the flashing.

[Ron Rich]

Dave, Didja READ, the sticky above-- common Rowe problems ? Ron Rich

[wdln]

Shore did, sir! I've cleaned the pins and warmed up the joints; I'm pretty confident they're making at least a passably good connection. There's not that much stuff connected to the lamp controller. Just audio from the amp, AC in, and the lines going to the lamps.

[Ron Rich]

Dave,
If that's OK-- then something on the control PCB has failed. or you have too many burned out lamps ? Ron Rich

[wdln]

I do have a few burned out, but I've got replacements on the way. I'll see if it comes alive with more bulbs.