|
Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
|
Thread Tools |
18th Jan 2020, 11:48 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Hi all,
I've dug my Dad's 50s-era Dansette Diploma (unused since the early-mid 60s) out of the loft, and I'm interested in coaxing it back to full health as my first proper restoration project. Previously I've refurbed the belts and rubber parts in a 1960s open-reel tape deck, and that's the full extent of my restoration experience thus far. I have a multimeter, a very basic knowledge of electronics, and I can solder. What would you recommend as my next step? Is there the equivalent of Dansette Repair for Dummies out there? EDIT - apologies, I completely missed the "Reviving your record player" sticky thread. I'm reading it now! |
19th Jan 2020, 9:37 am | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,869
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
I would suggest you down load the circuit diagram, up top right, it only costs £1.99 and is well worth having.
John |
19th Jan 2020, 9:48 am | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK.
Posts: 709
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Take photos of everything you do and have containers for all the parts, clean all parts as you proceed.
|
19th Jan 2020, 10:01 am | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,869
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Further to my post #2, it doesn’t look as if the circuit for your Dansette is on the list. However this model has been discussed on this forum before, so if you put in details in “search” you will find a link, this should prove informative.
John |
19th Jan 2020, 10:12 am | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
It's been suggested in another thread that this is the circuit.
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...4&d=1394320249
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
19th Jan 2020, 12:35 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Glasgow, UK.
Posts: 1,840
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
You really can't do much better than systematically working your way through the excellent Sticky by Darren-UK "Reviving your old record player"
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=75401 Augment this with various Google searches e.g. lots of useful YouTube videos on Dansettes, and if you come across any particular problems not already covered (unlikely!) then there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this Forum. All models of Dansette have a lot in common and require a variety of basic skills in electronics, mechanics and (sometimes) woodworking. Cleaning all the different types of material (plastic, brass, Rexine etc.) is often a challenge and your Dansette Diploma looks as if it needs a lot of TLC! My advice is to Post lots of pictures at various stages and keep detailed notes of which part goes where?
__________________
BVWS Member Last edited by DonaldStott; 19th Jan 2020 at 12:47 pm. |
19th Jan 2020, 1:33 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Your Dansette was made in 1954 using the BSR "Regent" deck. The arm on this is very heavy with little scope for tracking weight adjustment. I think I can see the on your tone arm that the original BSR TC4 mono cartridge has been removed and it's been replaced with a stereo-compatible type. To protect your LPs (of which most will be Stereo) you will need to add weight to the end of the tone arm to try to get it down to c.5 grams.
I can also confirm that the circuit in Post#5 is that same as used in your player. No belts are used, but the rubber idler wheel which drives the inner rim of the turntable may need refinishing on it's edge. The chassis is mains-isolated so safer to work on than many of this type.
__________________
Edward. |
20th Jan 2020, 1:15 pm | #8 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Many thanks, all!
Just FWIW, I'm not planning to use it to play modern records, so I'm not too bothered about the tracking weight at this point. Is refinishing the idler wheel something I can do at home, or does that require a specialist? |
20th Jan 2020, 3:29 pm | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 1,177
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
I'd start with some cold (not plugged into the mains!) resistance checks with your DMM once the amp is on your bench:
Check that the on/off switch is working. Check the continuity of the primary and secondary of the mains transformer. Check the continuity of the primary and secondary of the audio output transformer. Check the health of the rectifier using the diode check function of your DMM. Measure the resistance across the terminals of the speaker to make sure it is not open. The idler wheel can be resurfaced using an electric drill and some fine sandpaper. |
26th Jan 2020, 4:31 pm | #10 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Thanks all. Could someone please clarify the meaning of this, from the sticky thread?
"At this stage it's a wise idea to do a quick check on the electrical condition of the smoothing/reservoir capacitor (see post #10). Take the capacitor out of circuit (ie disconnect electrically) and switch your meter to its highest Ohms range. Connect the meter across the tags and watch the reading" Does the bold section actually mean "desolder and remove the capacitor"? |
26th Jan 2020, 4:36 pm | #11 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,595
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Quote:
|
|
26th Jan 2020, 6:04 pm | #12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
This has a very early chassis, no PCB - it's all hard-wired.
__________________
Edward. |
26th Jan 2020, 10:05 pm | #13 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
I've had the deck out just to see what's inside, and it all looks pretty clean for something that hasn't been used since the mid-60s. No obvious signs of bulging on the can or wax deposits under the transformer.
Obviously the valve is missing, and whoever was in here last left a shirt button (not pictured). Just to confirm, is this definitely the same circuit as in post #5, even though there's no bulb or tone control on my Diploma? And does that mean that the missing valve is a UL41? |
26th Jan 2020, 10:13 pm | #14 |
Hexode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 388
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
It looks like the original rectifier has been replaced with a silicon one,hence the RS wirewound dropper.Les.
|
26th Jan 2020, 10:17 pm | #15 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
|
26th Jan 2020, 10:26 pm | #16 |
Hexode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 388
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Very sorry,in the second picture the 2 items above the shiny aluminium can(the electrolytic capacitor) the grey lump with RS on it is a wire-wound resistor,the small black bit soldered to one end is a silicon rectifier.At some time the original rectifier(selenium,a pile of ali disks) failed and the 2 other bits took over the job of converting AC to DC in order to power the valve.Les
|
26th Jan 2020, 11:50 pm | #17 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Thankyou
Is the old rectifier that thing to the right of it, that looks like a stack of thin metal discs? |
27th Jan 2020, 12:24 am | #18 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
Posts: 7,219
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Yes it is, normally when they fail, they give off a rather pungent smell.
The capacitor can is made up of three capacitors in one unit. I'm not sure about the type fitted in yours but i've had them fail in slightly later machines. I would replace them with a 32uF+32uF 500V capacitor and a single 47uF to replace he 50uF. Also there is a capacitor which is 0.05uF, its almost certainly a paper wax type and it almost certainly requires replacement. You can get these parts from Cricklewood Electronics. As the deck is a single play deck, you will probably be ok with the idler wheel. |
27th Jan 2020, 3:42 am | #19 | ||
Triode
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 22
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
Quote:
Quote:
The available sources of information point to the missing valve being a UL41. I've Googled and there seem to be plenty around, priced at about £14 plus shipping. Is that a typical price, and should I just buy one from eBay, or are there better, more highly-recommended sources? Last edited by GWR1971; 27th Jan 2020 at 3:53 am. |
||
27th Jan 2020, 9:30 am | #20 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
|
Re: Beginner wanting to restore a 1950s Dansette Diploma - where to start?
I'm not sure if that valve should be a UL41.
There is no locating skirt. How many pin holes are there and is there a gap between 2 of them? Also measuring the heater voltage may help as it may be a UL84 or EL84. |