Vintage record player identification

[astro63]

The cartridge is a Acos GP65 then went to GP67 with a more rounded knob to turn the cartridge round, high chance that cartridge will be well dead, BUT do see the slightly later GP67 working on ebay for sale

[winston_1]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Definitely use an RCD socket/plug/adapter and a 1A fuse in the plug.

Only if you want to be constantly replacing it from switch on surge. The plug fuse is to protect the cable only, and cable rated at 1 amp has never been available.

A 3 amp would be more suitable.

No need for a RCD adapter if the house supply is already RCD protected either.

[peter_sol]

A homemade player. The deck is a "Starr Galaxy" from around 1956/57 and as has been said the cartridge is an Acos GP65 only suitable for old mono records. The v shape on the speaker baffle is made out of toilet chain and does look very stylish.

['LIVEWIRE?']

Generally speaking, whilst I fully accept what 'winston 1' says about plug fuses and mains flex ratings, it makes me wonder why U.K. standard plug fuses are available in 1Amp & 2Amp ratings as well as 3, 5, 10, &13Amp. Although I always ensure that Plugs fitted to radios, record players and the like are fitted with 3Amp fuses, I have sometimes fitted 2 Amp ones to the plugs of such devices, and normally keep a small quantity of 1, 2 and 3 Amp plug fuses. My reasoning is that if equipment whose mains current consumption is less than 1 Amp develops a fault, the 1A or 2A plug fuse will almost certainly 'blow', whilst a higher amperage fuse might not. Given that the vast majority of British Made vintage radios, etc., have no internal fuses, unlike European sets, I feel justified in adopting this approach.

[AC/HL]

Here we go again, we've exhaustedly covered this topic. The plug fuse is part of the UK ring main design and is intended to protect the cable first and foremost. As long as it does that, and a 1A patently does, as Livewire says there's no reason why additional protection for inadequately fused equipment can't be incorporated if desired. It's easy to do. If there is nuisance blowing, make it 2A. Everyone's happy.

[Nickthedentist]

Sorry I brought it up. Each to their own

[Turbo Overlord]

It seems to work and sound okay. Is there any risk to using just as is ?

[Station X]

Yes!

There is a risk that the audio coupling capacitor is electrically leaky. If this is the case the output valve, output transformer and mains transformer could all be destroyed.

Replace this capacitor, or at the very least check that there's no positive voltage on the control grid of the output valve.

[Turbo Overlord]

Is that pin 2 of the EL84 to ground as nickthedentist mentioned ?
I have no understanding of what the components are in respect of their location.
I have a basic understanding of circuits but not deep enough to understand valve based stuff.

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by Turbo Overlord

It seems to work and sound okay. Is there any risk to using just as is ?

Well as previously stated, if you value any of your Stereo (LP or 45) records, just don't play them on it.

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by Turbo Overlord

Is that pin 2 of the EL84 to ground as Nickthedentist mentioned?

It's probably connected from pin 2 of the EL84 to somewhere in the preceding circuitry.

Could you post a good, close-up pic of the underside of the circuitry, clearly showing the pins on the valveholders and the capacitors, and we can hopefully tell you more.

[snowman_al]

Hi Turbo,
First I do not know if this helps, but I have named some of the components we are talking about.

My first concern is one of Safety (like Nick) and is that the Mains Transformer has to be of the 'Isolating' type. Have you checked that it is? Please confirm.
There is so much exposed metal externally, that a non isolating transformer (or poor layout) could result in those parts being or becoming Live. Which risks to you and your Family.

Yes, pin 2 to ground. Capacitor 1 or 2 should go there? Can you read any markings on the capacitors?
Remember that the valve base numbering is from underneath the chassis (connection side). See diagram.

[Station X]

Just to clarify things.

The grid voltage is measured between pin 2 of the EL84 and ground.

The audio coupling capacitor is probably connected between 2 and the preceding stage.

[Herald1360]

Which is likely to be the anode (pin 5) of the EF91.

[Turbo Overlord]

Hi all

I have managed to get some more time on my daughter project.
We disassembled it a bit more today to get some better pictures for you guys.
I checked the mains transformer and it is indeed an isolating type
I didn't measure the grid voltage as suggested as I wasn't sure where the ground reference is. Any pointers there please.
Regarding the selenium rectifier how would this be tested ?

Regards Lee

[ms660]

Just an observation, the EF91 looks to be triode connected.

Lawrence.

['LIVEWIRE?']

A quick check on the metal rectifier would be to measure the H.T. voltage at it's output. If this is noticeably low, then, subject to there being no other faults, the selenium rectifier is almost certainly 'on it's way out!'