Fidelity HF43 turntable probs - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JeremyH · 5th May 2006, 10:38 pm

Hello,

Recently bought a cheap and cheerful Fidelity HF43. played well for about 10 minutes but the speed is a bit erractic, nit by nuch but just enough to annoy you.

can't seem to access from he front, access from the back looks a nightmare.

Should I give up?

many thanks,

JeremyH

Darren-UK · 6th May 2006, 12:17 am

Hi Jeremy,

Give up ?

We never give up here

When you said it played ok for ten minutes but the speed then went erratic, does this mean the it keeps speeding up and slowing down ? or does it mean it just runs slow constantly ?

Two possibilities come to mind, firstly it may be oil or grease on the turntable rim. This would mean a slipping idler wheel (some call it a jockey wheel). Secondly it may be a problem with the mechanical speed change mechanism.

These are the two obvious causes of the problem but there are others. Lift the turntable and check these first; it's likely you'll need to remove a circlip in the centre of the turntable to do so. Having done this, make sure you don't lose any ball bearings from underneath the turntable.

The above may sound all very general. That's because I'm talking generally as I'm not too familiar with the HF43 as such. If you can't find either of the problems I've suggested, come back and give us more details of your machine. For example, what make and type of deck is it ? is it a mains-only machine ? is it mains/battery ? The latter is especially relevant as DC motors and their speed settings can give problems.

Andrew_Keith · 6th May 2006, 10:12 am

The HF 43 is a mains only machine using the usual BSR deck. Hope this helps!

Kind Regards

JeremyH · 6th May 2006, 5:30 pm

Dear Andrew and Darren,

Thanks for the help so far. Yes the deck is the standard BSR. Having followed your advice I can now get in to the turntable!

No grease, and no bearings.

The player sounded great for a bit (10 minutes), now it sounds a bit slow, but only every-so-slightly. The sound reminds me of a chorus effect.

Any other suggestions gratefully received!

Jeremy

Andrew_Keith · 6th May 2006, 6:50 pm

Jeremy, thoroughly clean the inside of the turntable rim, the idler wheel (jocky pulley). And the motor shaft, clean any old grease from the turntable main bearing and apply fresh grease to this making sure you dont get grease anywhere else, and hopefully all should be o.k

Good Luck.

Andrew_Keith · 6th May 2006, 6:59 pm

At the bottom of the main shaft that the turntable sits on you will find a steel washer. Lift this off and you will find a ball race, this is the main bearing and is the part to clean and re-grease

JeremyH · 8th May 2006, 5:36 pm

Dear Andrew, Darren and anyone else interested.

Good news

the record plays at just the right speed now, no horrible wobbly distortions!

Jeremy.

5th May 2006, 10:38 pm	#1
JeremyH Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Fidelity HF43 turntable probs Hello, Recently bought a cheap and cheerful Fidelity HF43. played well for about 10 minutes but the speed is a bit erractic, nit by nuch but just enough to annoy you. can't seem to access from he front, access from the back looks a nightmare. Should I give up? many thanks, JeremyH

6th May 2006, 12:17 am	#2
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs Hi Jeremy, Give up ? We never give up here When you said it played ok for ten minutes but the speed then went erratic, does this mean the it keeps speeding up and slowing down ? or does it mean it just runs slow constantly ? Two possibilities come to mind, firstly it may be oil or grease on the turntable rim. This would mean a slipping idler wheel (some call it a jockey wheel). Secondly it may be a problem with the mechanical speed change mechanism. These are the two obvious causes of the problem but there are others. Lift the turntable and check these first; it's likely you'll need to remove a circlip in the centre of the turntable to do so. Having done this, make sure you don't lose any ball bearings from underneath the turntable. The above may sound all very general. That's because I'm talking generally as I'm not too familiar with the HF43 as such. If you can't find either of the problems I've suggested, come back and give us more details of your machine. For example, what make and type of deck is it ? is it a mains-only machine ? is it mains/battery ? The latter is especially relevant as DC motors and their speed settings can give problems.

6th May 2006, 10:12 am	#3
Andrew_Keith Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Salford, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 150	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs The HF 43 is a mains only machine using the usual BSR deck. Hope this helps! Kind Regards

6th May 2006, 5:30 pm	#4
JeremyH Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs Dear Andrew and Darren, Thanks for the help so far. Yes the deck is the standard BSR. Having followed your advice I can now get in to the turntable! No grease, and no bearings. The player sounded great for a bit (10 minutes), now it sounds a bit slow, but only every-so-slightly. The sound reminds me of a chorus effect. Any other suggestions gratefully received! Jeremy

6th May 2006, 6:50 pm	#5
Andrew_Keith Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Salford, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 150	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs Jeremy, thoroughly clean the inside of the turntable rim, the idler wheel (jocky pulley). And the motor shaft, clean any old grease from the turntable main bearing and apply fresh grease to this making sure you dont get grease anywhere else, and hopefully all should be o.k Good Luck.

6th May 2006, 6:59 pm	#6
Andrew_Keith Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Salford, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 150	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs At the bottom of the main shaft that the turntable sits on you will find a steel washer. Lift this off and you will find a ball race, this is the main bearing and is the part to clean and re-grease

8th May 2006, 5:36 pm	#7
JeremyH Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Fidelity HF43 turntable probs Dear Andrew, Darren and anyone else interested. Good news the record plays at just the right speed now, no horrible wobbly distortions! Jeremy. Last edited by Darren-UK; 19th Jun 2007 at 12:40 am. Reason: Topic drifted.