Newbie With Sl15 In The Attic And Expecting 1210mk2

[mv45]

Hi all,

I've been part of this community for just a couple of days, and have really enjoyed reading about the Technics turntables.

As this is my very first post, let me give you a short introduction on myself:

I bought my SL15 way back in 1985 new for about 500 Dutch Guilders (which equals EUR 225), a lot of money back then for me, but relative cheap compared to list price (I suspect the fact that the CD player just started off as well, and offered similar or better programming options may have helped to lower the price).

When moving fully to CDs myself (around 1995 I would guess) the SL15 got boxed, survived a couple of moves and never got used again.... until I started buying vinyl again (yes I am in my 40s now ) and decided to give them a try.

The SL15 has some issues, which made me decide to look for help, which made me end up here! So I registered, downloaded the manuals and will try to get the SL15 back to proper working order over the coming days.

Let me say: this is a GREAT site! I've read through several threads related to problems with SL5/7/10 and you people are so helpful!

Many thanks,

Mark

[majerjack]

Welcome to the forum. It is a friendly and helpful source of good information. Your post subject seems to indicate that you want a Technics SL-1200 series turntable. That one is a bit controversial around here, but you will still receive good advice if you need it. It is nice to spin vinyl again, isn't it?

[mv45]

The 1210Mk2 just arrived yesterday and it was a great joy to listen to vinyl again after all those years (although I had forgotten about the crackles and pops..).
Also tried the SL15 again - I was able to listen for about 1 minute to first track, then the stylus went automatically up and back in resting position.
I plan to go through some other SL7/10/15 threads to do some more tests and see what might be causing this (read a lot about bad rummer bands and the need to grease some inner parts).

Mark

[vxx]

Hello to all, you guys have great web site! I read all the time, just never registered..

MV45, I am very jealous, SL-15 is my dream. It is such beautiful machine.. SL-10 is very pretty too, but the row of track buttons on the lid of SL-15 makes it.. hmm. dare I say... sexy!

[mv45]

Also tried the SL15 again - I was able to listen for about 1 minute to first track, then the stylus went automatically up and back in resting position.
I plan to go through some other SL7/10/15 threads to do some more tests and see what might be causing this (read a lot about bad rummer bands and the need to grease some inner parts).

Mark

Today I did some more tests and all I can say is that it behaves irregular: sometimes pressing START resulted in no movement at all, while another attempt after some time would result in half the side of the record getting played before suddenly stopping and returning to the start position.
Another thing I noticed: when I tested the trackselection buttons, on some occasions the tone arm with needle would travel all the way to the center of the LP, so mechanics seem at least not broken.

Any tips on next (test) steps are highly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mark

[Alec124c41]

It sounds like it needs a good cleaning, after sitting so long. Take your time, and read the threads. It's worth it.
And you can enjoy some good music while you are at it.

Cheers,
Alec

[fscl]

Also tried the SL15 again - I was able to listen for about 1 minute to first track, then the stylus went automatically up and back in resting position.
I plan to go through some other SL7/10/15 threads to do some more tests and see what might be causing this (read a lot about bad rummer bands and the need to grease some inner parts).

Mark

Today I did some more tests and all I can say is that it behaves irregular: sometimes pressing START resulted in no movement at all, while another attempt after some time would result in half the side of the record getting played before suddenly stopping and returning to the start position.
Another thing I noticed: when I tested the trackselection buttons, on some occasions the tone arm with needle would travel all the way to the center of the LP, so mechanics seem at least not broken.

Any tips on next (test) steps are highly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mark

Irregularity is the norm for waking tts, especially when regulated to the attic for a few years........

Excersize all buttons until there is positive consequence for each press..... oxidation of the internal contacts is a major cause of this irregularity / inconsistancy of action.

If you haven't downloaded the owners and service manual, they are here:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-15.shtml

Study the owner's manual, it gives a pretty good idea of proper operation of a "new" unit. As the SL-15 starts to gain / increase proper function, then you can target what needs further corrective action.

This topic covers the general troubleshooting process for Technics linears so read through and apply as necessary with reference to the SL-15 specific manuals:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23432
Yeah, it's a long one, however, it is the repository for linear troubleshooting and solutions.... Come to think of it, I don't think there's a drive rope link....... From the description above, it seems the SL 15's is fine.....

Pushing any track selection button should start the tonearm gliding over the LP surface, the optical sensor under the lid moves in conjunction with the tonearm "looking / scanning" for separation bands and makes note of songs and their positions for perfect cueing of the tonearm. I am pretty sure that pushing button 10 may not cause this action initially, however, with use, it should and eventually will.
Download manuals of its full size brother for futher insight:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/tech ... ql15.shtml

Good luck waking sleeping beauty..... all she needs is a kiss a scrub and a few good strategic caresses .... Hmmmmm...... and if a real princess some botox......

Fred

[jan77]

Hi Mark,

I wonder how your SL15 is working now and how you fixed the problems.

I bought my SL15 in the late nineties and I always have the problem that it 'returns to start' quite often.
This does happen more often in times I don't use it very much. It also seems it helps to let it 'heat up' for about an hour before using it by just switching it on. It's not a 100% effective though.

For the rest it works fine, but I'd like to get this fixed somehow. In the manuaul it suggest some spike in the mains, but I don't thinks that's it. I also think it could be that we now use 230V in the Netherlands and I think back in the eighties when it was built, it was still 220V, right. But I'm not sure this could make it less robust for fluctioations in the mains supply.

Would love to hear from you.

Regards,

Pieter

Hi all,

I've been part of this community for just a couple of days, and have really enjoyed reading about the Technics turntables.

As this is my very first post, let me give you a short introduction on myself:

I bought my SL15 way back in 1985 new for about 500 Dutch Guilders (which equals EUR 225), a lot of money back then for me, but relative cheap compared to list price (I suspect the fact that the CD player just started off as well, and offered similar or better programming options may have helped to lower the price).

When moving fully to CDs myself (around 1995 I would guess) the SL15 got boxed, survived a couple of moves and never got used again.... until I started buying vinyl again (yes I am in my 40s now ) and decided to give them a try.

The SL15 has some issues, which made me decide to look for help, which made me end up here! So I registered, downloaded the manuals and will try to get the SL15 back to proper working order over the coming days.

Let me say: this is a GREAT site! I've read through several threads related to problems with SL5/7/10 and you people are so helpful!

Many thanks,

Mark

[blueworm]

Hello, Been having the same return to rest problem.
After messing around, studying the schematics I have come to the conclusion that at least 3 things can cause this.

1. Lid micro switch
2. End of travel micro switch
3. Arm motor encoder.

I removed end of travel because it didn't get there and I find it hard to believe a Normally open contact would fail to closed, very unlikely.

Lid micro switch is possible it is a normally open contact that in use is closed, so could in theory cause this problem. I repeatedly exercised the switch an then measured ressistence. Seems ok.
No more problem, but have since soldered the contact closed as I really can't see any benefit in having it.

Motor encoder, is more complicated in normal use with a 12" LP the arm lifts about 10 mm before end of travel micro switch. This is normal the only input to establish this position is the encoder which is a LED and phototransistor which have a wheel with holes rotate through them counting and establishing the arms position.
Problem I can't see it over counting and causing the problem dirt in the sensor would cause under counting. Anyhow quite beyond me besides all that can be done is to gently blow out the sensor.

As mentioned with exercise sleeping beauty will awaken.

[jan77]

Thanks! I'll have a look!

Regards,

Pieter

[ADCDAC]

Earlier in the thread, plenty of links to diagnoses and solutions of stiff arms were provided. I took the lazy approach: submit the SL15 to a repair professional. See my thread on the subject.

The poorly moving arm was due to a brittle and disintegrating rubber belt. The belt is part of the arm movement mechanism. With a new belt, the arm travels fine now. He said the machine was not dirty at all. He ordered the belt from some place, but avoided Technics because he was afraid Technics's replacement belts (if they still exist) might be old enough to break down fast by now.

Programming track sequences was never absolutely reliable. It would be erratic if the tracking eye was dirty. The eye may also misread the light bounced off by some record surfaces and suddenly stops. In such cases, you can always resort to manual operation: cueing up and down, moving left or right.

I am amazed at how otherwise reliable this machine still is after periods of action and inaction since the early 1980s.

[vxx]

Thanks, ADCDAC

this is very helpful, on one of my SL15 arm stops in middle of the track and returns to rest position, I always though arm has difficulty moving, and I cleaned on lubed the rail, didn't help of course. Now I know where to look, the little rubber belt is clearly visible when remove the inner plastic cover. Thank you for sharing your repair experience!

[ADCDAC]

You're welcome.

BTW. A cassette deck that also became stiff after many years also sprang back to life after a similar replacement. Contrary to the dessicated SL15 belt, this one became a gooey mess.

If you successfully change yours, I am sure many here would like to know the vendor, because many other models also use belts.