AMI Continental 2: Will Not Select and Play Record

[Deadhead Japan]

I will buy two!

[Deadhead Japan]

Progress made!!! Pull the mechanism out and replaced the .1 uf capacitor with the proper 100 uf capacitor. Put the mechanism back in... I am now able to select a record, the write in process occurs, the magazine scans, the record is picked up and sets set down, but is immediately picked back up. I have read elsewhere online that the #6 cam switch should be adjusted down further or the gripper bow needs more lubricant. Any truth to this?

[jukenorman]

There's quite a long Continental thread here where this was covered. It might well be CS6 but there also may be a mechanical aspect with the geometry of the transfer motor linkage.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

I have manually moved the gripper motor and bow many times. I moved the gripper bow to the play position to readjust CS6, now the bow is jammed and I can't move it back to the rest position. What is the best course of action to unjam the bow to return it to the rest position?

[Deadhead Japan]

I was disconnected the gripper arm and was able to unstick the gripper bow.  I reset everything, I thought!  Ran the mechanism through again, and it has jammed up again.  I looks the the gripper gears above the tonearm cam has skipped a few teeth..  Given up for today...

[jukenorman]

As I said above, we discussed the geometry of the gripper link arm in this thread - although all it really does, as I recall, is point you to the relevant pages in the manual!

jukeboxaddicts.proboards.com/thread/2264/continental-ami-juke-box-fault


Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Back at it after a two week break. I unjammed the gripper now and now cycles normally. The problem now is I can only select even selections and the gripper will pick up the record, put down on the platter, immediately pick it back up put it down again, pick it back up and then scan.

I have re-rigged the micro switches with same results each time….

[jukenorman]

Is the stylus sitting down on the record before it returns it? Try stopping it at that point in its cycle using the operate/off switch. If the stylus is definitely engaging the record, CS6 needs to be operating at that point. It actually sounds like CS6 is not fully resetting the selection pin first time around? And when it resets the pin second time around, the stopping switch should change over and that is what stops the transfer motor. Have a look at what's happening with the selection pin. Something not right! For the odd selections, is the pin being pushed when you make a selection?

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Norman,

I once again went through the cam switches. I am confident the switches are set correctly per the manual.  I have observed CS6 it is being engaged when it is supposed to be.  I had my helper make the selection while I was was watching in the back.  What is occurring on some selections, but not all is the pin selector is engaging both the even and odd when solenoid actuates the pin selector.  The pins are being reset every time.  If I hold the stopping switch till the record is put down on the turntable,  and the tone arm is on the record then the selection will play through.

Neal

[jukenorman]

Hi Neal,
Sometimes it is difficult from afar to envisage what exactly is going on. What should happen is that when the record is on the turntable with the stylus engaged, CS6 should operate. CS6 energises the reset solenoid which pops the pin back. The action of popping the pin back allows the stopping switch to change over. The stopping switch changing over de-energises the transfer motor control relay which in turn stops the transfer motor. I'm confused about what you mean by holding the stopping switch - so when is the pin being reset?

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Hi Norman,


I have checked continuity of CS6. As you know, it is a double throw, double pole switch. With one pole mated and the other not depending if the switch is depressed. I have checked continuity of the switch and the switch is opening and closing as it should.

"The stopping switch changing over de-energises the transfer motor control relay which in turn stops the transfer motor." I believe my fault may lie with stopping switch... the reset solenoid is working because the pin does pop back out. What is not happening is the transfer motor not de-energizing.

For clarification, without making a selection, If press and hold the stopping switch, the juke will cycle normally and play the record.

Should I post a video?

Neal

[jukenorman]

OK I see what you're doing! I suspect that the stopping switch is being hindered from changing over somehow when the pin is reset? You'll probably need to look at the stopping switch adjustments on page RCS-25. No need for a video at this point. The pin pushers alignment adjustment is just further on at page RCS-29. It's worth noting that some lazy techs slightly bend the arms as a shortcut - so just be aware of that!

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Norman,

That is where I am confused.  The magazine stops were it is supposed to on both the even and odd selections.  Why do I need to adjust the switches?

Neal

[jukenorman]

Because the switch has another function other than stopping. When the pin is reset that switch must change over to stop the transfer motor. What I suspect is happening is the switch is not being reset immediately. Does that happen on both A and B sides? Maybe it's slightly jamming against the lever which resets the pin, is that lever nice and free?

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Gotcha! Yes, it does happen with both sides.  I will verify/make the necessary adjusts and report back.