Collaro ac544 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

paulf-2007 · 13th Jul 2017, 7:20 pm

Hi all, just picked up one of these and it runs, but only if I move the linkage by hand. Seems it is auto stop as there is a lug on the bearing housing under the platter that moves a bar with a roller on its end when the arm moves to the centre of the record. But I can't get the linkage to move the idler arm and switch. There are no levers as far as I can see so think it's supposed to move the linkage via the arm. Any help appreciated. Don't know how to post photos here

Edward Huggins · 13th Jul 2017, 7:53 pm

That linkage operates when you move the tone arm to the right to start the turntable at the end it will auto-stop. That same linkage pulls the idler into contact with the inner turntable rim. You can download the Collaro diagrams for this via a google search. The switch on linkage should be light, otherwise the lightweight plastic tone arm can move on its mount.

paulf-2007 · 13th Jul 2017, 9:44 pm

Thanks Edward, there is obviously something wrong as I have removed the arm and can turn the horizontal arm pivot easily with my finger and thumb but the mechanism doesn't engage the idler or power switch. I also removed the bearing housing from the platter so I can see what's happening and with the idler engaged I can turn the arm pivot as if the arm was moving to the centre it disengages. I did some searching but didn't find anything.

peter_sol · 14th Jul 2017, 6:22 am

A couple of photos of your mechanism top and bottom will let us see what is missing.

paulf-2007 · 14th Jul 2017, 8:17 am

ok so managed to add a thumbnail of the top side, will take a photo if the underside today.

peter_sol · 14th Jul 2017, 11:41 am

Nothing missing there I see it is a 3 speed version so an fairly early version

paulf-2007 · 14th Jul 2017, 12:48 pm

Uploaded photo of underside,

paulf-2007 · 14th Jul 2017, 1:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_sol

Nothing missing there I see it is a 3 speed version so an fairly early version

yes Peter a three speed. How should it work, move the arm towards the record and the idler engages and switches power on?

peter_sol · 14th Jul 2017, 2:20 pm

No you move the arm to the right away from the rest till it clicks

paulf-2007 · 14th Jul 2017, 2:58 pm

ok I have moved it that way but no click, maybe I didn't give it enough force?

peter_sol · 14th Jul 2017, 4:39 pm

Do you have the one piece or plug in head arm?

Edward Huggins · 14th Jul 2017, 6:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulf-2007

ok I have moved it that way but no click, maybe I didn't give it enough force?

Just see my earlier posts here - do be careful of stress on the arm in the pulling to the right switch on procedure.

paulf-2007 · 14th Jul 2017, 9:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_sol

Do you have the one piece or plug in head arm?

Don't know, haven't really looked at it. Moved the arm more forcefully to the right and it engages the idler, happy days.

peter_sol · 15th Jul 2017, 12:50 am

well done we all learn from others.

13th Jul 2017, 7:20 pm	#1
paulf-2007 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Kent, UK. Posts: 11	Collaro ac544 Hi all, just picked up one of these and it runs, but only if I move the linkage by hand. Seems it is auto stop as there is a lug on the bearing housing under the platter that moves a bar with a roller on its end when the arm moves to the centre of the record. But I can't get the linkage to move the idler arm and switch. There are no levers as far as I can see so think it's supposed to move the linkage via the arm. Any help appreciated. Don't know how to post photos here

13th Jul 2017, 7:53 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Collaro ac544 That linkage operates when you move the tone arm to the right to start the turntable at the end it will auto-stop. That same linkage pulls the idler into contact with the inner turntable rim. You can download the Collaro diagrams for this via a google search. The switch on linkage should be light, otherwise the lightweight plastic tone arm can move on its mount. __________________ Edward.

13th Jul 2017, 9:44 pm	#3
paulf-2007 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Kent, UK. Posts: 11	Re: Collaro ac544 Thanks Edward, there is obviously something wrong as I have removed the arm and can turn the horizontal arm pivot easily with my finger and thumb but the mechanism doesn't engage the idler or power switch. I also removed the bearing housing from the platter so I can see what's happening and with the idler engaged I can turn the arm pivot as if the arm was moving to the centre it disengages. I did some searching but didn't find anything.

14th Jul 2017, 6:22 am	#4
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro ac544 A couple of photos of your mechanism top and bottom will let us see what is missing.

14th Jul 2017, 8:17 am	#5
paulf-2007 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Kent, UK. Posts: 11	Re: Collaro ac544 ok so managed to add a thumbnail of the top side, will take a photo if the underside today. Attached Thumbnails

14th Jul 2017, 11:41 am	#6
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro ac544 Nothing missing there I see it is a 3 speed version so an fairly early version

14th Jul 2017, 12:48 pm	#7
paulf-2007 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Kent, UK. Posts: 11	Re: Collaro ac544 Uploaded photo of underside, Attached Thumbnails

14th Jul 2017, 2:20 pm	#9
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro ac544 No you move the arm to the right away from the rest till it clicks

14th Jul 2017, 2:58 pm	#10
paulf-2007 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Kent, UK. Posts: 11	Re: Collaro ac544 ok I have moved it that way but no click, maybe I didn't give it enough force?

14th Jul 2017, 4:39 pm	#11
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro ac544 Do you have the one piece or plug in head arm?

15th Jul 2017, 12:50 am	#14
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Collaro ac544 well done we all learn from others.