Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ray_Singh · 11th Jun 2020, 11:14 am

Another new belt arrived and fitted, the tray goes in/out about 90% of the way and then just stops.

I dont want to give up on his. Can anyone offer any guidance please?

It must be a microswitch - i have checked these or the fact that i have interfered with the timing of the gears.

Happy to pay for repair now.

vidjoman · 11th Jun 2020, 3:00 pm

Did you remove the tray when you fitted the belt? If so then it's quite possible the tray-gear position is out. It's easy to get it wrong by one tooth and it'll stop the correct function. I used to remove the tray completely and then set the gear by hand to put the lift/lower spiral part to the lowest setting - then carefully insert the tray making sure both sides mesh exactly. A gentle push and you should be able to get the tray fully in and see the lifter start to lift the mech.

Ray_Singh · 11th Jun 2020, 9:18 pm

I will try this tomorrow Vidjoman.

Ray_Singh · 22nd Jun 2020, 3:45 pm

Update- I managed to get the old belt back on and give this a try and the mechanism just doesnt work. It doesnt move up when the cd drawer closes.

My father has taken a look too, no idea either.

Any suggestions please!!

Welsh Anorak · 23rd Jun 2020, 5:43 pm

It's worth removing the belt and moving the gear by hand. You should then be able to see whether it's able to do it or whether the deck is jamming. As said earlier, you need to make sure the tray is aligned correctly. If it arrives too early, the deck will try to jump up before it should and jam.
If it moves freely and the deck jumps up as it's supposed to, then put the belt back and power the motor from a power supply - an old phone charger is ideal. That way you can determine if it's mechanical or electronic due to a limit switch malfunction.

samjmann · 23rd Jun 2020, 9:07 pm

You have done the right thing by taking a step back by fitting the original belt. By carefully moving the load motor you should be able to see where the jam occurs. I'd say the mech is slightly out of sequence after you have swapped the belt. These little mech systems all work by activating the end/start switches JUST before mechanical stop. In other words the mech should hit the end or start switch just before the mechanical stop point. If not the system control will do all sorts of odd things.... SJM

Ray_Singh · 29th Jun 2020, 3:12 pm

Thank you all. I delivered the CD player to my Dad (sorry for lumbering you with this Dad) to repair. When i give up, he picks up the pieces and normally fixes things.

He has managed to get the player working, but has asked if anyone on here can help with what controls the two microswitches which control the mechanism. Are we missing something on our mechanism?

Any help much apprecaited.

11th Jun 2020, 11:14 am	#21
Ray_Singh Pentode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 179	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem Another new belt arrived and fitted, the tray goes in/out about 90% of the way and then just stops. I dont want to give up on his. Can anyone offer any guidance please? It must be a microswitch - i have checked these or the fact that i have interfered with the timing of the gears. Happy to pay for repair now.

11th Jun 2020, 3:00 pm	#22
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,327	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem Did you remove the tray when you fitted the belt? If so then it's quite possible the tray-gear position is out. It's easy to get it wrong by one tooth and it'll stop the correct function. I used to remove the tray completely and then set the gear by hand to put the lift/lower spiral part to the lowest setting - then carefully insert the tray making sure both sides mesh exactly. A gentle push and you should be able to get the tray fully in and see the lifter start to lift the mech.

11th Jun 2020, 9:18 pm	#23
Ray_Singh Pentode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 179	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem I will try this tomorrow Vidjoman.

22nd Jun 2020, 3:45 pm	#24
Ray_Singh Pentode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 179	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem Update- I managed to get the old belt back on and give this a try and the mechanism just doesnt work. It doesnt move up when the cd drawer closes. My father has taken a look too, no idea either. Any suggestions please!!

23rd Jun 2020, 5:43 pm	#25
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,928	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem It's worth removing the belt and moving the gear by hand. You should then be able to see whether it's able to do it or whether the deck is jamming. As said earlier, you need to make sure the tray is aligned correctly. If it arrives too early, the deck will try to jump up before it should and jam. If it moves freely and the deck jumps up as it's supposed to, then put the belt back and power the motor from a power supply - an old phone charger is ideal. That way you can determine if it's mechanical or electronic due to a limit switch malfunction. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

23rd Jun 2020, 9:07 pm	#26
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 649	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem You have done the right thing by taking a step back by fitting the original belt. By carefully moving the load motor you should be able to see where the jam occurs. I'd say the mech is slightly out of sequence after you have swapped the belt. These little mech systems all work by activating the end/start switches JUST before mechanical stop. In other words the mech should hit the end or start switch just before the mechanical stop point. If not the system control will do all sorts of odd things.... SJM

29th Jun 2020, 3:12 pm	#27
Ray_Singh Pentode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 179	Re: Arcam Alpha One - CD Player problem Thank you all. I delivered the CD player to my Dad (sorry for lumbering you with this Dad) to repair. When i give up, he picks up the pieces and normally fixes things. He has managed to get the player working, but has asked if anyone on here can help with what controls the two microswitches which control the mechanism. Are we missing something on our mechanism? Any help much apprecaited.