24-03-2016, 12:37 PM
(24-03-2016, 11:34 AM)Old Sparky Wrote: This deck is the one where the inner edge of the PU Head gently taps the rim of the disc 'knocking' it over the ledge on the spindle,btw.
[panto_mode] Oh no it doesn't! [/panto_mode]
The pick up head is 'record sizing' and the mechanism is set so that the stylus is lowered ⅛" inside the sensed diameter, making these changers uinique in that they could automatically play any size of record, not just the normal 7", 10", 12" selection.
It was probably wasted on most users but some may have found this facility particularly useful if they had a pre-war collection of the 8" 78 RPM records sold in Woolworth's for 6d under the 'Eclipse' label (forerunner of the post war 'Embassy' label). Another label issuing 8" records was 'Broadcast'.
The only way to play any of these on a BSR or Garrard deck was manually, one at a time, whereas you could put a complete stack on a Conquest and play them automatically. You could also mix them with 10" and 12" records provided that you put the largest records at the bottom. This was because when the head carried out its sizing manoeuvre it 'tapped' several records at the bottom of the stack (about three, if memory serves me correctly) - one very good reason why it couldn't be used to 'knock' the bottom record over the edge!
As it always drops the first disc correctly, either there is something preventing the remainder of the stack dropping into place (unlikely) or the lever which does push the next disc over the edge is not moving freely enough so that the weight of the remainder of the stack traps it in position so that it can't retract ready for the next cycle.
I would check for grease in the spindle assembly that has turned to glue or, possibly, a return spring that has lost its tension. If the mechanism physically pushes the lever back into place, is it possible that excess play allows the lever to ride up over whatever pushes it when the stack drops?
