AMI G-80 Stuck on 33RPM

[jeffm]

A coworker gave me a AMI G80 today and we have been cleaning it up and lubing it as advised in the repair guide. I added a record to test it out and it seems to be stuck on 33. I have a wurlitzer that had the reverse issue and it turned out to be the record holder plate was stuck and just need to be lubricated. Any suggestions on what to look for as the G-80 does not seem to play 33s only 45. 


Thanks  

[Hildegard]

Right, AMI G80 is for 45 rpm only.

How did you determine 33 rpm? Just a guess or did you count rotations per minute or used a tool?

Did the jukebox play well at 45 before or did it sit for a long time? What did you do to the TT mechanism in detail?

And where are you located - USA or anywhere in Europe? This is important to know in case this is a matter of 60/50 cycles.

Hildegard

[jeffm]

HI thanks for the response. I was able to get some info on the unit. It was purchased by my coworker's father in law in 2004 from a shop called Games People Play located in Richmond VA. It was in good working order at that time and was a lime green unit. Someone painted it a mud brown....going to fix that when I can and see if I can get it back to green. That will be another post on best practices for restoration and repaint. The paint is not in bad shape only a few chips but it is just sad and ugly. The unit was used by the family up until 2012 with no issues. The father passed and it was not used in the home for 2-3 years then it was placed in storage facility until 2019 when it was moved to my coworkers house. There it sat until yesterday. They never got it to fully work saying that it often would not make selections. That was solved just by dusting off the contacts and all but 1-2 selections now work every time. So it appears the slow turntable is likely due to sitting to long not the 50/60 hz issue. So far I have just followed the guide in the repair manual and the inside cover of the unit to lube with some liberty synthetic juke box lubricant that I use on the seeburg and wurlitzers I have.

Thanks  

[Hildegard]

No, no 50/60 Hz. issue - you're located in USA. means the G80 should be set up right for 60 Hz. (It would be a problem in Europe if no ajustment gets made and the jukebox gets played with 5ß Hz. only. It would slow down to ca. 38 rpm.)

Sitting for such a long time, I guess a gummed up mechanism is at least one cause. Actually you will have to clean it first, then put new lubricant on. Otherwise it is fresh stuff on sticky ones which is still there and might slow down further on.

Next is to check the idler wheel resp. the rubber on it. Often it is hardened or damaged (e.g. a dent where the shaft runs), has no grip enough etc. This will cause sound distortion for sure. Ther rubber ring can be taken off and replced.

The spring which pulls the idler could be worn and not pull with enough force.

Also check the rubber grommets which hold the TT motor. If they are damaged and all in not 100% levelled anylonger, it will cause sound distotion too. If they are hardened the vibrations of the TT motor do not get absorb enough. Hence there will be side noise in sound.

The TT motor must run free and smooth. Give it a spin with your thumb and finger - it should run easily for some time. If it stop quite fast, it might be very dirty too - open and clean. It can also miss oil. I think there is a hole for oil somewhere.

All in all, mark a point on a record and count how many rpm the jukebox makes.

Hildegard

[jeffm]

Thank you! You are 100% correct the idler rubber is spent and a little warped and the grommets are hard. I have ordered a new idler new grommets and new spring. 

Thanks
Jeff