Edison C-250 question.

[shamrok99]

Hello,

I am a complete novice when it comes to the Edison C-250. I was recently at an auction, and I purchased a C-250 with 75 records for $10.00. It was too good to pass up, not knowing if it worked or not.

Well to make a long story short, I got it home, cranked it up and the turntable did not turn. When I lift off the turntable the spindle is turning, but when i put the turntable back on, It stops.

I have no idea about these machines, or how they even work.

First does anyone know how I can get a copy of the manual for the player?

Also, any ideas or suggestions about what might be the problem would be appreciated.

I thank you all for your help.

[larryh]

There is a lever at the front next to the horn lowering handle, you trip it to the left to release the break from the turntable. If when you wind the springs up it feels like your getting tension on the springs it should turn, but if its broken it might have enough tension to run the spindle but perhaps not the table. The break needs to be in the off position to lower the table down over it.

Lets try that for starters as without seeing it it is difficult to know what is happening.

Larry

[shamrok99]

Thank you Larry,

I will try that, and let you know. If the spring is broken, is it difficult to find to replace?

Thanks again.

[larryh]

Springs are rather tricky but if your reasonably good at mechanical things you might wish to try it your self. But many people send them to people who specialize in rebuilding the machines.

Larry

[shamrok99]

Thank You. Last night I tried what you had suggested, and still the turntable did not turn. I will have to bring it to someone, I wouldn't want to cause more damage. I was told there is a
Mechanical Music Extravaganza in my area next month, I'm sure I will be able to find someone to repair it or at least someone i can contact in my area.

Thanks again for all your help..

[larryh]

I doubt that it would stop it from running all together but have you oiled the machine?

Larry

[shamrok99]

No, Do you have any suggestion on what type of oil to buy?. Thanks

[larryh]

I think a 3 in 1 20 weight would be alright, its a bit heavier than the thiner 30 weight. You would need to try to put a few drops on the large felt pads that are on the governor. The machine has oiling cups on the motor board usually they have the word oil next to them. You fill the cups with drops of oil and let it run down the little tubes which if they are still in position will put oil on some of the bearing points of the motor. Those pads though generally you will have to reach though from the front of the machine, sometimes a bit hard to get at, a good light helps to see them. Also the sleeve the governor rides on needs a couple drops so that it can turn and slide easily.

There are instructions on how to oil the machine in the Repair manual that is up I think on this site, if not try googling Edison Repair Mans Manual or Edison disc machine instructions and see if you get it to come up.

Larry

[shamrok99]

Thank you Larry,

I will get some and try that. Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it..

[larryh]

It would seem that if none of these things get the machine to run the turntable then you may be looking at a broken spring which has enough power in to turn the spindle but not the turntable. You may wish to have the motor sent to George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonographs. Its a bit of a chore to properly pack a heavy motor for shipping let alone removing it from the cabinet correctly. But if its something your wishing to keep and use then in the long run some professional work would probably be worth it. I have had him to repair a number of motors for me. Its too bad that edison didn't have quite as simple a method for removing the turntable from the cabinet as the others, but the mechanism for keeping the arm inline with the grooves and the whole arm floating on the record controlled by the lever at the front presented a bit more complicated removal. Once you understand how it goes its not really hard, but it takes a bit of adjustment to get things as they should be on return.

Here is a link to the repair manual which gives removal, oiling and all the other adjustments to the machine, a great resource.

www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/ddmanual.html

Larry

[shamrok99]

Thank you Larry,

You have been a great help. Thanks for the guide. I will let you know what happens after I put some oil in the machine.

I do plan on keeping the machine, so sending it to be fixed is my only option. I didn't set out to buy an antique phongraph that day I went to the auction, but I am glad I did. Now the fun adventure of trying to get it to work.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

[larryh]

Something I guess I should have ask from the start. I don't think we know if your able to wind the spring to a reasonably resistant point when the winding handle gets to feeling like the spring has quite a bit of tension on it. Or does it wind and then the motor sort of release and you can hear or feel it unwinding the spring in the barrel. If its doing that then you have a broken spring that will wind part way an then turn loose. Its also possible I guess that one of the whole springs could be disconnected at the barrel which might not act the same. I am by no means an expert, only a tinkerer and enjoy phonographs.

Larry

[shamrok99]

Hi Larry,

To answer your question. I am able to wind the spring till I am not able to wind it anymore, creating tension. I have been told that my player has 2 springs, perhaps one is broken. Would you know if it is extremely difficult to replace a spring?

Thank You!

[bobacker]

I'm just curious what I read, here in last letter shamrok said to Larry. How can tell which spring is broken, in a double motor? Someone told me could put nail into it and would keep the spring from slipping. I never got see this person do this work. I wish he would show me how done it. On second thought really got know what your doing, when you are putting in a spring inside a housing motor or could end up cutting off your finger or hand, evening wearing a glove, I still not going fart around with it. Your best just to send it in, have them do work for you, since they know more about working on them. To be on safe side.

[shamrok99]

Thanks Bobacker.

I really would have no idea about replacing a spring, I would cause more harm then good. I live in NY, and there is a show called the Mechanical Music Extravaganza this weekend in NJ. I have been told that I could find someone to repair my phonograph at the show. I will bring it and hopefully find some answers..

Thanks