Strobe says it's turning a touch slow

[BigE]

I have a dedicated line driving the TT and head amp. Using the vinylengine strobe disk and a light, says that things are turning a bit slow.

How to fix? Is it possible that the a dirty bearing/oil could cause this? BTW: it has NEVER been replaced, just topped up with 3-in-1 sewing machine oil.

So, what's the best lubricant to use to replace the existing oil?

Thanks!

[Alec124c41]

Oil is good. And cleaning out the bearing once in a while is a good idea, because old stuff gets thick.
A drop or two to the motor bearings is a good idea, too.
If that doesn't bring it up, a thicker belt might be your answer. Some of the Aristons used a square belt, as opposed to a flat one.

Cheers,
Alec

[BigE]

I have a new square belt. I need to push the platter to get it up to speed when it starts up -- some cogging sounds are noticed from time to time, but only ever at startup -- and never if the platter is moving first.

[BigE]

Ok, so I oiled the top bearing, and the speed came up, but it started to squeak.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Alec124c41]

When you say, "the top bearing," I assume you mean the top of the motor, under the pulley. Did you lift out the sub-platter, clean out the old stuff, and re-oil that bearing?
If it is the motor that is squeaking, give it more oil.

Cheers,
Alec

[alanomt]

which Ariston model are we talking about here.

In the past I've had an RD50 which had a square section belt and I still have an RD11S which also has the square section belt.

on the '50, 'talc' was used to aid start up, the 11s has a slipping clutch assy, again to aid the start up process of what, in this model, is a very heavy platter.

Alan

[BigE]

It is an rd-11s. I assumed that the rhythnic cog-cog-cog sound was the motor being unable to synchronize.

The squak appears to have gone, after soakinng a qtip in a mix of wd-40 and 3-in-1 oil and pressing that up against the lower motor bearing. The speed is bang on, but it still won't start up from scratch

My pulley has a clip on top, I don't see where the clutch could be. Were all 11s made with a clutch?

[Alec124c41]

Does it work if you give the platter a push as you start up?
If you don't have a clutch in the pulley, coating the belt with talc will allow it to slip on the pulley a bit, without burning rubber onto the pulley, as it starts.
How does it sound, to you? It should be very good.

Cheers,
Alec

[alanomt]

Have a look at the thread 'turntable slipping clutch' in the Ariston section to understand the RD11S slipping clutch.

The 11s does have a heavy turntable and the torque required to start the turntable is probably borderline now that the components are getting old. Might be worth changing the 0.22uf capacitor, changed it recently on mine and I felt this increased the torque slightly and certainly reduced the motor noise.

with the clutch set up, start up is 4-6 sec but nice and smooth. Ariston could get away with talc on the 50 because the platter is lighter. My RD110SL, has a heavy platter but has a flat belt and is talc dusted.

Alan

[BigE]

I must give the platter a push at start up, or it won't start....

The table sounds very good, I'm using a Denon DL-103D, tracking at 1.67 gms in a SME IIIs with damping trough and black paddle.

I fear that my DIY armboard is a bit tall at 1/2" as opposed to 3/8" -- I think the VTA could be improved. The arm is a touch high at the rear... but I'd have to either remount the arm on a new armboard, or put a small shim between headshell and cartridge. I'm thinking a sliver of copper.

I've heard that using two copper wires from house wiring can be an effective decoupler.

Any guidance as to which route to take would be *immensely*
appreciated.

BTW: I do have enough counterweights to raise the cartridge weight a lot!

I also have SME damping compound. Would that be useful?

Thanks!

[BigE]

I'll have a look at the clutch thread thanks!

[BigE]

Well, after months of spinning up the table before applying power, and right after oiling, I forgot to spin it up today.

I guess after sitting for a couple days, the oil must have worked in, because it did it's magic: it starts from dead stop! Takes about 5 seconds to full speed!!!

Also runs DEAD quiet, and the strobe is bang on.

I'd write that off as a MASSIVE success -- thanks to everyone for the help! It's was VERY appreciated.

I still can't believe that JUST oiling the motor was enough... no clutch work required -- woo -hoo!