Dansette Popular no power

[Lou_New]

Hi everyone

I have been given a Dansette Popular that I was told worked but had very low volume.
Upon getting it home it is completely dead, motor does not turn/valves are not glowing.
Plug, fuse and mains cable are good.
I'm no expert, the only things I have repaired before are TVs, stereos and PCs etc that had blown capacitors or other basic faults.
I've no experience with anything that has valves!
Any help would be much appreciated.
I do have a multimeter.

Many thanks.

[Station X]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Be aware that this player has a live chassis.

Service information is available here:-

https://www.service-data.com/product...15/1521/a11115

Use your meter to check for continuity of the mains switch in the ON position.

[Tim]

If faulty the switch contacts could have oxidised over the years. Can sometimes be cleared by connecting a couple of 100W light bulbs( if you can get them) through the switch and turning on!

[ben]

First things first. Measure, with power off, the mains switch continuity. Check also the primary of mains transformer if fitted. There really isn't that much that can cause this type of fault!

[Lou_New]

Thanks for the replies.

There doesn't seem to be continuity at the switch.
I think I have a can of servisol somewhere do you think its worth trying a shot of that?

Thank you.

[Edward Huggins]

Yes, try that first. Another way is to by-pass the switch on the volume control. If it works, it will mean you must switch on at the mains socket and remove plug each time after use.

[Station X]

Sometimes operating the switch many times with power applied will get it working again. If not bridge it so that you can check whether the rest of the player is working.

These switches can sometimes be repaired as described here:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...0&postcount=36

This player does not have a mains transformer. The valves' heaters, which are connected in series, are powered from a tap on the motor winding.

[Lou_New]

I tried a few shots of servisol in the gaps of the switch but had no joy so I opened the switch up and tried a few more shots and kept working it on and off and now I'm getting continuity.
I've not tried powering it on yet I thought I would let the servisol dry completely first.
I'll report back with my findings.

Thanks everyone.

[Lou_New]

Hi,

The switch appears to be dead again.
I just wanted check about bridging it.
Is my rather crude attempt in MS paint correct?
I don't want to damage the player or myself!

Many thanks.

[Station X]

Yes. That's correct. I assume the figure of eight twin white flex is the mains lead?

[Lou_New]

Yes that's right. If all goes well I will replace the mains lead.

[Station X]

Originally Posted by Lou_New

If all goes well I will replace the mains lead.

Whatever you do don't fit a three core mains lead. Make sure that the Blue (Neutral) lead of the new two core mains lead is connected to the chassis via the mains switch. That's probably via the black leads on the switch.

[Techman]

Originally Posted by Lou_New

I have been given a Dansette Popular that I was told worked but had very low volume.

It's nearly guaranteed to be the cartridge.

Replacements that are stereo compatible (which means that they're mono, but won't damage stereo and later manufactured records) are no longer available and those that are will be expensive and damage stereo records, so look into this first before spending money on new switches and mains leads.

[dave walsh]

Good advice from techman there and as our Moderator says you need to continue being cautious as and when you deal with the mains. A "Live Chassis" means that there is no mains transformer to provide a degree of isolation and protection. It's a direct half wave rectification circuit that looks very unsafe now but worked very well and safely in its day. The major drawback is that one side of the mains [neutral] should go to the chassis [as Graham said]. If you get that reversed it will still work but touch the [now] live chassis and . Ask one of the experts if unsure about anything.

Dave W

[Lou_New]

Thanks everyone for all the good advice.
I bypassed the power switch and plugged it in and was greeted with a buzzing/humming noise, It did not sound like the noise was coming from the speaker.
The motor was not turning either.

[Station X]

Has the motor seized? They rarely fail, so as long as power is reaching it it should work. I assume the player has been started?

Note that the heater supply for the valves is taken from a tap on the motor winding. If you unplug the UY85 rectifier valve you'll effectively isolate the amplifier and can concentrate on the motor.

Do you have the circuit diagram?

[Lou_New]

I don't have the circuit diagram at the moment.

It's showing signs of life now, the motor is turning but it keeps almost stopping and then starting and is squealing a bit.
I did turn the motor by hand before I plugged it in and it seemed ok.

I thought I'd test a record on it anyway and there appears to be no sound from the speaker at all.

Thank you.

[Station X]

Is it the motor stopping or is the turntable/autochanger mechanism stalling it. Probably needs stripping down, cleaning and relubricating.

Any joy with a buzz test?

[Lou_New]

Definitely the motor as it does it when the speed selector is in neutral and with the platter removed.

Sorry you will have to excuse my ignorance but what is a buzz test?

If the motor does need stripping down is this something I can do myself?

[Lou_New]

Ok so I removed the bracket underneath that holds the motor and simply put it back and the motor is now quiet and spinning at the correct speed (from what I can tell from the sound from the stylus.