Magnavox W 604 with Remote Solenoid

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Hello all,

Well, here's my latest never done before item.

Young guy brought me this changer with the
remote solenoid from a 1966 Magnavox
Imperial 1-ST694 with the remote control.

The console cabinet looks nice.

I found some fascinating reading on how these
different remotes functioned.

The solenoid looks simple to remove, but I'll
find out if I HAVE to remove it, once I start
the sub-plate removal process.

[William]

It looks like an Astro-sonic 100.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

1. Preliminary check out had me notice that one
channel of the P-156 cartridge was kaputski.

I did some continuity checks on the tonearm leads
and they were all good.

When I looked under the changer, I remember I had
earlier noticed that a tonearm lead looked out of place
around the mute switch.

It was not only out of place but it was shorting signal
to the changer base.

How in Hades had it got to that location ?

2. I powered up the motor, and BOTH the idler and
drive wheels work well. A nice surprise.

The motor has some gunk in the bearings, as it
took a minute or so for the speed to come up to
appropriate RPMs.

[William]

I have one of those changers and it had the remote solenoid, but I removed it and use it as a test changer now.

Bill

[electra225]

Guys, look at the bottom of that changer. It was built and is operated sans computer. Build and designed in merry ol' England by human hands. What a marvelous over-built contraption it is. All the levers, gears, and doodads working in perfect harmony just so you can listen to your Perry Como records. I reckon I'm in a world of my own, but I find that something like that would ever work is amazing......

[William]

Whoever, with any changer brand, figured out that this gear, moving that lever, sliding in that direction, would drop a record and then set the tone arm down in the exact spot is one smart individual. But is guess that is what engineering is all about.

Bill

[electra225]

I reckon I'm easily entertained, but I am amazed that the silly things work at all.

[William]

I am with you, Greg.
Bill

[hermitcrab]

I always wished I could get the remote working on my Imperial ... it would be a cool thing to show it off, but that is one nice looking console...

[electra225]

The remote control on the CG, "Phantom Control" is an RF type of system. The remote control in the Stereo Theater is one of those that if you rattle your car keys, it might change the TV station. I have never had either system in operation, but it might be interesting to tinker with them a bit.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Getting into the dis-assembly of this W604, I noticed
some changes from the earlier W600's I thought to
mention for others servicing these changers.

The tonearm in this 1966 model is secured onto the
tonearm mounting bracket from the side with
a Phillips head bolt.

You must mark a reference line on the pivot
mount to line up with the split on the tonearm
mount.

Earlier W600s had an external hex nut and a
keyed bracket, so you could not make an error
when remounting the tonearm.

The photo shows tonearm on its side and the
black line marked for reference.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Just about finished with this changer.

I did not have to remove the solenoid from the
sub-plate assembly.

As I posted previously, the motor needs to be pulled
off the mount pegs first, to allow removal of the sub-plate.

Not a great amount of original lube to clean off
of the linkages and the cycling mech in the
sub-plate.

The motor rotor not too dirty, and zoom spout
turbine oil applied to bushing reservoir after
cleaning.

I have to re-assemble the mute switch.
I'm waiting to re-mount the tonearm until I
receive the new styli for the cartridge.

[William]

As always, Mr. Mogul, nice job.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

This one's all done.
Idler and drive wheels back in, and a
new stylus.

Playing like a Collaro should !

[William]

Looks good. I have two of those that need HELP!

Bill

[electra225]

Mr. Mogul, how do you service the upper bearing in the motor on a Collaro changer? They are usually the one that sticks if you have a stuck motor. Do you remove the fan and drive turret? Then, what is the secret to getting the spring, fan and turret all back like they need to be outside of exercising one's vocabulary...

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Mr. Mogul, how do you service the upper bearing in the motor on a Collaro changer?

They are usually the one that sticks if you have a stuck motor. Do you remove the fan and drive turret?

Then, what is the secret to getting the spring, fan and turret all back like they need to be outside of exercising one's vocabulary...

I have only serviced one Collaro Conquest where I removed
the fan and turret/spring, which was a big mistake.

The unit I worked on did not have bound up bearings.

Some years back, I had found a person at UK Vintage Radio
who posted a "how to" photo/essay for a Custom changer,
and I followed his cue.

Following the process, I ended up spending many,many hours to
safely replace the fan and turret/spring.

I realized later there were other ways of getting the motor serviced,
without removing the fan.

I usually use alcohol application to the upper bearing housing,
followed with zoom-spout. Rinse, repeat....
And a tablespoonful of Patience.

[electra225]

Replacing the fan and spring on the motor shaft is indeed a time-consuming pain. I'll try your suggestion the next time I have to service a motor. Thanks for the tip!