Ariston RD40

[julian Useche]

Just got me a really great looking RD 40 , however the motor seems to run a bit slow , the inner weight that is supposed to be attached to the chassis ( a cylindrical like silver pipe ,about 9 cm long ) that functions as a counterweight for the tonearm is missing , anyone has this item as well as the motor for sale? perhaps also a drivebelt ?

[Alec124c41]

Have you tried a bit of oil?

Cheers,
Alec

[wagnju]

Hi Julian
Can you give us more input on the RD 40 ?
How slow is slow ? The RD40's weren't famous for running exactly 33 or 45 ?
Is it a DC or AC motor model ?
Can you regulate the speed or is it just on/off ?
Is your belt a flat one or a square one ( you can get new ones e.g. at Ebay )or
here http://www.turntablebasics.com/belts/ariston.html
Alec's Tip with the oil is a very good one . Have you tried turning the platter without the belt in the bearing ? Does it stop after a few turns ?
If it stops after a few turns I would recommend a proper cleaning and oil refill . If you need material for cleaning and oil you can contact Joel in Germany (he worked 20 years for Thorens but also knows Ariston ) and tell him that you just need the cleaning solution and the oil . His stuff is and works great and prices are fair too. He also has a special oil for the motor itself . See his Ebay offerings for Thorens .http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOEL-S-KIT-THOR ... 591wt_1344
Ariston spindles and bearings are similar to Thorens .
I would also check the capacitor between power and motor .
I would check all this first before considering a new motor as this will be a challenge to find one.
The counterweights in my RD40's are a square piece of led . When you need some dimensions to make one yourself , let me know .
Juergen

[julian Useche]

The plate runs ok , there is enough oil , it runs smooth without the belt mounted on , , this turntables rpm´s can not be adjusted , the motor seems slow , further more it also hums , it seems tired , have tried the oil bit as well, i was to listening to my favourite album from John Lee Hooker , it is defenitely the motor that runs a tad slow making the voices and strings instruments sound a tad slow ,I have 3 other rd 40´s turntables i gess i could change the motors between them and listen for the reults , i am just aprehensive about switching them as i am 90 % that is the motor that causes the problem ,These are the motor references Synchronous 110v - 50 hz - 250 rpm , serial # 990411131807---- MB00---- 4284 Made in Belgium
Thanks a lot for your commentaries

[wagnju]

Hi Julian

110V , 50Hz motor ??? Don't you have 230V / 60HZ or 50Hz ?? in Denmark ?

Is the hum coming from the motor ?? I have had something similar and it was a defect capacitor .

btw. I have also 4 RD40's , crazy

Juergen

[alanomt]

All the motors that I've seen are 110v, the circuit compensates with a resistor for 240v.

Assumming that the motor bearing are free, I would change the capacitors in the circuit, check the library for details. I take it that the motor pulley is correct for your mains supply, 50c/s?

Alan

[youngdand]

I don't know if this uses the same clutch style pully system and the rd11s, but mine ran a little slow, and delveloped a knocking sound, which turned out to be the felt washer being gunked up and requiring a good clean, runns fine now.

[julian Useche]

The voltage in dk, is 230 , , the motor is made for 110v but the turtable has a built in transformer wich regulates the voltage to 100v i gess .

[bubba45]

I don't know if this uses the same clutch style pully system and the rd11s, but mine ran a little slow, and delveloped a knocking sound, which turned out to be the felt washer being gunked up and requiring a good clean, runns fine now.

I've had 3 of these and none of them have the clutch like the RD11/Rd11s etc. they were all 3 press fitted onto the spindle - 2 silver metal and one brass.

2 of the 3 I had ran a little slow, with low torque on start up, some vibration / low noise during play and would lose speed with the slightest touch of the record or platter. They generally seemed a bit tired like you describe. I did as alanomt suggested and changed the capacitors and the motors ran true to speed, no noise or vibration and the start up torque improved no end. If you haven't already tried it then I'd try this before swapping the motors out IIWY as this can be a PITA.

Can't help you with the balance bar either I'm afraid.

Great TT's though the RD40. Pretty underrated IMHO.

[geier15]

Hi Julian,
years ago, I upgraded my RD 40 from the AC to the DC motor unit. Therefore, I have the complete AC motor kit here with pulley and clutch and the old square belt (which I would not recommend to use anymore). If you are interested and not in a hurry (am moving to a new apartment, so everything is packed somewhere and I have no idea where), just send me a message.

Lukas

[julian Useche]

Hey Lukas , a couple of months late replying to your post , well.... by this time you be done moving , i understand that you have that particular motor that i need, is this right? Synchronous 110v - 50 hz - 250 rpm , serial # 990411131807---- MB00---- 4284 Made in Belgium.have you founded it ? where do you live?

[geier15]

Hi Julian,

again the reply is a bit late but anyhow, I am afraid that I do not have the 110V but a 220V/50Hz version. When you are living in Denmark, the 220V motor should be fine. I am not sure about the exact part# but I should be able to find it (my moving is finished now, at last) as soon as I get home.
By the way, I live in Vienna, Austria.

Lukas

[geier15]

Hi Julian,

it is exactly that motor. I don't know whether it was produced in Belgium but it has this part number. If you are still intersested, you can have it. I would recommend to change the old Rifa capacitor, it is already cracked and this type of cap is known to explode when getting older. It is not really dangerous but it semlls really bad if that happens.

Lukas

[julian Useche]

RD 40 problems , i am addicted to these turntables, every now and then one comes up for sale and have to have it , knowing that the motors are problematic and hard to find, a couple of days ago i purchased another RD 40 , as usual it looked like it needed a good cleaning , which i did and its looking great , but again there is something peculiar with the motor , upon trying it at the sellers home it worked fine , almost noiseless , once i had it at home the and turned it on, the motor runs backwards (reverse) which i have never experience before with a turntable . does anyone knows what causes this phenomena , upon turning it on and off a couple of times it´ll turn the correct way but there is a semi annoying hum .
Julian