Technics SL 1500 - speed problem

[TheSoylentMan]

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum & really glad I have come across it. Lots of great resources here! Anyway, I have a (hopefully) simple question. I have a Technics SL-1500 that is not playing at a constant speed. Based on others' comments I want to try cleaning the contacts on the 3-way switch. But I am not sure how to get the switch apart. Do I need to disassemble the whole turntable (screws on the bottom) to get to it, or can I simply unscrew that knob on top of the switch? It looks like maybe it will unscrew, but it is on there pretty good and I don't want to wail on it & end up breaking something if the switch is not meant to come apart that way. Anyone know?
Thanks!

[eddie edirol]

Its most likely not the 3 way switch, but the pitch control knobs.

But you would have to know how to use a soldering gun to take them apart and fix them. the way to tell if its the pitch knobs is to slightly pull and push them (back and forth)while the deck is running and see if the platter reacts. If it does you might want to search out technics repair guy, because that operation isnt for the amateur.

[nslsmith]

check out the SL-1500 Service Manual and Service Supplement at the following link:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-1500.shtml

Taking apart the is the best way to go --

[TheSoylentMan]

Thanks, yes I have downloaded those and have been reading. Very cool that this stuff is available on the site. Found the manuals for my JVC TT here too.

I will dig into it when I get some time. Should be fun. I only paid 25 bucks for the SL-1500 at a resale shop, so I don't have too much to lose.

[Antiquel]

Did you get it working? I also have the same/similar problem. SL 1500, won't begin to turn on it's own at all. If I give it a spin myself it will maintain a speed on 45 but will just slow to a stop on 33. I did add a couple of drops of oil on the bearing under the platter but did not yet attempt to "deoxit" the pitch pots...or whatever. I am new to this and do not know the proper terminology...just learning as I read the massive amount of info that can be found with some research online.

Any update?

Any advice?

[alanomt]

I have had 6 off SL150 (the motor unit version) turntables over the years and still have 2.

All have at some time required cleaning of the 3 way speed/power switch. I have not had to clean the pots on any.

To gain access the base has to be removed (power disconnected!), always remove the platter before doing this, no matter how tight you think it is, you can be assured it will fall off when you turn the deck upside down. The switch can be carefully dismantled and the contacts cleaned, I use a fibre pen cleaner for this. The contacts are open and will oxidise with time, the speed switch contacts carry very little current and any contamination will give problems.

good luck, well worth the time.

Alan

[Antiquel]

Great! I am busy listening to records on my Dual 504 at the moment but will try this on my SL 1500 tomorrow night. I have another issue with my Dual I am going to post about in the proper forum here in a minute too.

Thanks again, I hope this works for me

[seiras]

Alan
I have just fixet the speed on my SL 1500 according to your instructions. I bought as a repear item for 7 dollars. Now it is working great.
Thanks Stig from Sweden

[WJB]

I currently have the exact same symptoms as Antiquel. I'm going to get into this unit in the next few days and will report back on progress. Thanks for the resource!

WJB

[paulsartbarn]

I have done a couple of 1500 tables. On the first one, the three way switch cleaning was enough.
On the second, it helped but the speed was still unstable. I had to go back and clean the pots under the circuit board. You have to remove the circuit board to get at them. Just a few screws. They both work perfect now.

Paul