Run-up time for Thorens deck?

[John_BS]

Could someone who owns a Thorens TD series with synchronous motor please measure the approximate run-up time from stationary to nominal speed on 45rpm? Mine is about 7 to 8 seconds, and this may be normal??
Thanks
John


TD280 II

[paulsherwin]

They do take a while. It's partly down to the mass of the platter.

[PETERg0rsq]

My TD190..almost instant

Certainly 1 second max

Just refurbished mechanism, and fitted new belt.

[paulsherwin]

Yes, the belt could be slipping.

[Electronpusher0]

TD160b 3 secs max, new belt and serviced. With the old belt it was in the region of 12 secs.

Peter

[Nickthedentist]

I think several seconds is normal for these. Hifi Choice used to quote it in their comprehensive little guides.

EDIT: just found one, c.1980, which quotes 3.5s for the TD160. As a comparison, the Rega Planar 2 is 5s and the Duals about 2s.

N.

[llama]

I've never just switched on my TD150 or TD160 - I've always given them a push start. I thought what I was doing was normal...
Graham

[Nickthedentist]

That becomes normal as the belts age

[Paul_RK]

My TD160B Mk2 was taking about 20 seconds at a guess, and wasn't keen to run at 45 r.p.m. at all: then, its belt was around 25 years old. Physical access to the turntable had been tricky for most of that time so I'd not bothered to address the issue. Moving home prompted action, and with a new belt - ordering direct from Thakker seemed to promise good quality at a reasonable price, and I've not been disappointed - acceleration is fast enough for me not to notice any delay, and the proper operation of the speed control is restored.

Paul

[cathoderay57]

Yes similar issues on my TD150 Mkii. In fact before I changed the belt it refused to spin up to 45 RPM at all. Unless there is a minimum tension in the belt it will be reluctant to ride up the pulley but just scrapes against the lifting arm. Like llama I always give mine a helping hand to spin up. Thorens branded belts are expensive but seem to last longer than cheapo brands. Cheers, Jerry

[paulsherwin]

Don't forget the old trick of boiling the belt to give it a bit more life.

[John_BS]

That's a new one for me!

I'm not sure how much commonality there is between the various TD decks, but his one has a (gr?) plastic turntable hub, diameter around 6" . Belt runs on the periphery: the main platter is machined aluminium and sits tight on top with a small rebate to provide the concentricity.

If I remove the platter, the motor has difficulty starting (more like pulsing) and the belt has a tendency to ride off the crowned motor pulley. Most peculiar.

John

[Radio Wrangler]

The connoisseur belt drive turntable had a rotary on-off switch and the knob had a little nubbin thing to touch the rim and give it a bit of a helping shove when you turned the motor on.

Brig'owse technology!

David

[John Caswell]

I have had so many problems with non-Thorens drive belts I refuse to use them and always strip them out of T/Ts when received for service.
The motor/platter need to be set up correctly and the simplest way to do this is invert the outer platter a replace it on the inner driven platter, place the mat on top also and if you want to be pedantic add an LP then set up the suspension so it is level, bounces correctly and doesn't "bottom out or top out" on the suspension springs.
Run the TT on 33 and with a torch look at where the new belt sits on the crowned pulley, it should be central. Then whilst running change to 45 and view the same.
The motor has one adjusting screw so if the belt runs low on the crown the motor need to be tilted toward the platter and obviously the reverse if it runs high. You should be able to get the belt to run central on the crowns on both 33 and 45 without touching the speed change fingers.

John

[barrymagrec]

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

The connoisseur belt drive turntable had a rotary on-off switch and the knob had a little nubbin thing to touch the rim and give it a bit of a helping shove when you turned the motor on.

That device was also to ensure the motor ran in the right direction, otherwise there was a 50 / 50 chance of it going backwards.

[paulsherwin]

Originally Posted by John_BS

That's a new one for me!

The standard technique is to put the belt in the bottom of an old saucepan covered by an inch or two of cold water and a bit of detergent. Bring it to the boil then simmer it for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it cool down. Obviously, don't let it boil dry.

In my experience, this never makes a belt worse and usually improves it to a greater or lesser extent. Try it at your own risk though!

[Nickthedentist]

Some Thorens decks also have a white nylon and brass pulley with inbuilt clutch to help start-up.

[John_BS]

Bring it to the boil then simmer it for 5 minutes.

Should I add some garlic & onion?

J

[Humber888]

Love it! Just don't boil for too long or, like squid rings, it could go rubbery.

[paulsherwin]

That's the idea