#recordplayer

Here's where the cartridge wires go to. #repair #recordplayer

Part:

1. Power transformer, converts 120V AC to 12V AC
2. Rectifier board, convert 12VAC to 12V DC
3. Motor which drives belt
4. Switch between 33 and 45 rpm. There's two potentiometers to set the voltage to for 33rpm and 45rpm on the front side (adjustable via screw hole)
5. Switch between preamp and no preamp, stereo (single throw double pole)
6. Header for power cord connector
7. Preamp board (not sure if it does RIAA or not, there are a lot of resistors and capacitors on this thing, which makes me think it does have a filter network). There are two sets of diodes, resistors, and capacitors on this board. Unsure what the big black strip in the middle is... maybe a transistor array? Will have to look at the part # next time I crack this thing open.

Current plan of action:

1. Replace all the capacitors on board#7 in case of aging/moisture damage (common on old electronics). ALMOST all aging in electronics is switches/potentiometers and capacitor aging.
2. If that doesn't fix things, figure out what that IC/transistor thing is, and either replace it with a similar part or individual transistors. (this is probably the preamp part).

#electronics #repair #recordplayer

Left/right pickup wires swapped, and still getting audio. The arm is not balanced though... how to do so on this thing is a mystery, however. (cheap record player!). #repair #electronics #recordplayer

So... A *decent* replacement for one of this would be around $35 to $45. Because this is a not-very-good Realistic with questionable quality and not sure if this is the only problem, decided to buy a throwaway $9 stylus (compatible, hopefully). (unfortunately, to get it that cheap and no shipping, from Uncle Bezos Expo). Will see if it actually fits or not, etc., but not willing to invest $$ on this repair experiment. #repair #recordplayer

El cheapo stylus received and installed. Nice there is a protective cover for it while you install the tiny screws!!!#recordplayer #repair

And it works... sorta. The stylus works *but* the circuitry is definitely in need of new caps. The signal lines are somehow connected to ground. And only one channel works. This ONLY plays if the signal but NOT the ground connected. Here you have the fine country music of Mr. Al Perry, before he went into a life of crime #recordplayer #electronics #repair

Capacitors replaced. A few leaky, but may not have fixed it. #recordplayer #electronics #repair

Pulled out and oscilloscope. One channel still has no output. #repair #recordplayer #electronics

So, probably the next step is to desolder or disconnect the pickup wires and make sure both coils are working. It may be the magnetic pickup on one side not working (how that is possible... I do not know). Looking at the two lines from the stylus would confirm that. (at the moment, this being a cheap record player, this is me learning about what might or might not break on something like this). #repair #recordplayer #electronics

Pickups fine. The red phono plug wire has a break, both on ground and signal. Confirmed after removal. I suspect something was pulled too hard and separated a lead. Replaced with a salvaged audio cable. (Those show up on curbs often) #recordplayer #repair

Had to tape the top down when flipping this over. Audio now working on both channels... but some kind of funky ground issue with my speaker. The ground side of these signal cables are NOT attached to ground inside the record player. What the heck... #repair #recordplayer #electronics

Okay, for the kids had another old powered speaker, while I figure out a better speaker situation lol. #recordplayer

Seems like the record player needs more work. Chipmunks mode! #recordplayer #repair

Single channel audio... the audio is distorted, and the record is skipping (no scratches in the record), which indicates there is a lubrication or adjustment issue in the arm (ie. force needed to move the arm along at the right speed). #recordplayer #repair #electronics