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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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5th May 2021, 11:57 am | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Collaro Challenger
I have just read Michael Maurice's in depth thread about servicing the Conquest .I have a challenger and am wondering how different the two machines are .Has anyone got any tips on servicing the unit .I have done lots of Garrard s and can probably do a BSR with my eyes shut but this is my first Collaro . I could just crack on with it taking lots of photos as i go but any tips will be very helpful
Regards K |
5th May 2021, 12:00 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
Posts: 7,223
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Re: Collaro Challenger
I honestly don’t know what the difference is, I’d have to see them side by side.
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5th May 2021, 5:54 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Collaro Challenger
I don't think there is any difference.
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5th May 2021, 6:34 pm | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
Posts: 7,223
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Did the Challenger have a 90V tap on the motor for U series valves?
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6th May 2021, 12:24 am | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Collaro Challenger
No. The way they did that was by having a 160V motor in series with the valves but so did some Conquest models. As in the ferguson roll top player and some phlilco's both used Conquestxor Challenger as avaliable.
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6th May 2021, 8:04 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,327
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Re: Collaro Challenger
I have most of all Collaro's very rare historic leaflets and specifications - but frustratingly not accessible by me at this time. Knowing Collaro as I do (did), there will be more differences than just a name change. Apart from the badge, they are cosmetically identical.
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Edward. |
6th May 2021, 11:07 am | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Well guys i made a start yesterday [taking loads of photos ] starting with the seized motor stripping it down then cleaning and lubricating with some Singer machine oil .Its now running very well .The only odd thing i found was that the stepped pulley wheel on the motor shaft just pulls off there is no grub screw to secure it unless it was just meant to be jammed on .Next i took out the main mechanism [that took some figuring out ] cleaned and lubricated it and then reassembled everything . the two rubber jockey wheels although not damaged were hard so i put them in some boiling water for a few hours heating it up every so often .they are now nice and supple again just need their edges sanding up [i usually put them in my Dremmel and then just let the revolving wheel touch the fine sand paper .this always works and because the wheel is spinning so fast you always get a nice even job] .The whole unit has been cleaned and a lot of what i though were scratches has come off so its looking rather nice and will look good in the Fergi 401 .Will reassemble everything today and give it a run .The original cartridge is in place don't know if its working or not i will keep my finger crossed it would be perfect for all those 78s
K |
6th May 2021, 11:12 am | #8 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Quote:
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6th May 2021, 11:20 am | #9 |
Heptode
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Somerset, UK.
Posts: 555
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Re: Collaro Challenger
You are correct, Collaro motor pulleys just push on, but you must have the spring to prevent slippage.
Alan |
6th May 2021, 11:30 am | #10 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
I bought this yesterday for a fiver mainly for the Callaro deck [another possible doner for the 401] but on getting it home it looks too nice to cannibalize. The previous owner told me he had fitted a plug and plugged it in and that there was some sound and the record player revolved .On closer inspection of the braided mains lead i am surprised there wasn't one big bang as you can see in the last pic the rubber insulation has gone and we are down to the bare wire
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6th May 2021, 3:11 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,327
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Re: Collaro Challenger
To help you with the quite complex re-assembly (there is nothing easy about these decks) do carefully follow Michael Maurice's most excellent Guide that you have aleady found. Regarding the GEC Radiogram, the Collaro deck fitted is a 3 speed RC454 - made some 4-5 years earlier than your "Challenger". It is liable to be fitted with a Collaro/Ronette "Studio O" cartridge - one of the finest Mono crystal cartridges ever made. If it's still working, then this will be an added bonus for you!
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Edward. |
6th May 2021, 6:50 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Hi Edward .yes the original cartridge is there weather it works or not is a different story [will try it when i get a chance ].i have just been looking at the underside of the Collaro RC54 in the GEC gram .now the two units may look similar from the top but there is a vast difference underneath [lots more wheels cogs and connecting bars ] Once i get it out i will post photos of both
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6th May 2021, 7:25 pm | #13 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Quote:
K |
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6th May 2021, 7:30 pm | #14 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Quote:
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7th May 2021, 7:46 am | #15 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,327
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Re: Collaro Challenger
Quote:
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Edward. |
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7th May 2021, 8:45 pm | #16 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
ok here are photos of the underside of both deck .The first 54 the second is the Challenger which i have dismantled but you can clearly see there is quite a difference
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13th May 2021, 9:04 pm | #17 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 902
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Re: Collaro Challenger
The Challenger is now running well and is about to be installed in its new home [the Ferguson 401 radiogram]
thanks everyone kirsty |