Seeburg grey box problem

[cenobyte]

I have an Olympian with a grey box malfunction. The jukebox does not select any songs in the range 160-169, all other selections work fine.

I switched out the grey box with my perfectly working Bandshell Firestar and then it works: it selects songs from the 160-169 range, so this tells me the problem is within the grey box.

I guess this can be fixed, but is it wise to invest in the book and parts for this or do I just order another revised grey box?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Mark]

I would advise looking to make sure all the contacts on the troublesome box are making good contacts.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mario,
Mr. unsigned post, above, has a good idea--What is the "warranty date" of your malfunctioning box ? Has "someone" opened it ? WHERE, can you "---order another revised grey box" ? Ron Rich

[cenobyte]

May 10, 2022 0:11:02 GMT Mark said:

I would advise looking to make sure all the contacts on the troublesome box are making good contacts.

You mean with the two connectors? I can check if there's a bad connector (corrosion) on the grey box.

[cenobyte]

May 10, 2022 3:01:08 GMT Ron Rich said:

Hi Mario,
Mr. unsigned post, above, has a good idea--What is the "warranty date" of your malfunctioning box ? Has "someone" opened it ? WHERE, can you "---order another revised grey box" ? Ron Rich

There was a 3 year warranty on the box and I think it was opened before, some time ago, since there was a written sticker with a date on it (i'll check what date is was, the jukebox is not at my home at the moment). 

I'm not sure where I can order a new grey box or what the costs would be, I see some for sale but not over here in The Netherlands.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mario,
No parts for that phono have been made since 1979-- when Seeburg closed-- If you were in the USA I can still fix most of them--depending on the date, and problem -- that one should be easy -- PM me for the parts and instructions-- Do you know how to take anti static precautions !-- DO NOT attempt to open that unit unless you do know ! Ron Rich

[Mark]

May 10, 2022 19:15:02 GMT cenobyte said:

May 10, 2022 0:11:02 GMT Mark said:

I would advise looking to make sure all the contacts on the troublesome box are making good contacts.

You mean with the two connectors? I can check if there's a bad connector (corrosion) on the grey box.

yes.  take a look at how each "connector female" makes contact with the male side of the box as some get bent making less than adequate contact.  Bb gentle if making an adjustment.   Regards Mark

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mark,
If it failed in two phono's, it's more likely that it's a failed component on the internal, interface board. Do not open it up unless you understand the proper anti-static safety precautions, you MUST take ! Ron Rich

[cenobyte]

May 10, 2022 19:54:45 GMT Ron Rich said:

Hi Mario,
No parts for that phono have been made since 1979-- when Seeburg closed-- If you were in the USA I can still fix most of them--depending on the date, and problem -- that one should be easy -- PM me for the parts and instructions-- Do you know how to take anti static precautions !-- DO NOT attempt to open that unit unless you do know ! Ron Rich

I assembled quite a lot of info on this grey box already, but I'm still missing the book about it  I already know where ten digit #6 is on the board and that SCS3218 is probably responsible (a reverse blocking thyristor if i'm correct?). They often become loose? I own a bracelet to ground myself while working on static sensitive electronics and I do have soldering experience so I guess I'm good to go.

My only worry is: now the grey box works for all selections except the affected ones and by tinkering with it I might just kill it entirely 

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mario,
I would suggest that you purchase a copy of my late friend, Tony Miller's, Black & Gray box book--3rd edition. If properly grounded and you follow his proceedure, you will do just fine - Ron Rich

[cenobyte]

Ah, after swapping the grey boxes from my Bandshell and Olympian the Olympian played every selection (and convinced me even more that the problem is in the Olympain's grey box). Now, after swapping them back, the Olympian is totally of his knockers: he now plays almost every record...

I can test with the negative battery to remove the charge, maybe that will work.
And I guess I'm going to look for Tony Millers book ;-)

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mario,
Read the stickies ! Simple 10 second "fix"--- Ron Rich

[cenobyte]

Cleaning all contacts with alcohol and bending one pin of a connector brought me back to my starting position: the grey box works again, but not the 160-169 range. I did manage to get the box opened, but was nog able to pull the boards out. No need anyway, I first need to order myself a new thyristor and a bunch of caps for my amp anyway, no need to open it yet.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mario,
Did you use proper anti static proceedures ? Did you attempt to remove the boards from the component, or print trace sides ? Do you find a copy of Tony Miller's Black/Gray box book ?
Ron Rich

[cenobyte]

Hi Ron,

Yes, I found my good old anti-static bracelet and rigged myself to a heating radiator ;-)

I wasn't able to get the book from Tony Miller yet, I only found one seller and it's a German jukebox specialist that sells for around $50,- I was hoping to find a used example on a local Craigs list here but that seems difficult.

I did not try to remove the boards from the box yet since they seem fixed somehow and without the manual I don't know how, so I don't want to break something. But I do have a few copies from certain pages of that book and know which parts are responsible for that range.