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SOTA Star Sapphire III - ball bearing & vacuum

Hello,

I’ve recently purchased an old SOTA Star Sapphire III with vacuum. I’m in the process of learning about the tt, cleaning and checking its components.
I’d like to open the platter, check the ball bearing and maybe add some oil, but I’m not sure how to do it. As removal of the platter from chasis was a bit tricky (thanks to Elevick for sending me instructions), I’m afraid to damage something if I remove the wrong bolts. Here’s a picture of what I’m talking about…

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8902/img4966o.jpg

Upon the metallic cylinder are the security screws. On the bottom, 3 allen bolts which I think are the ones to remove. If someone has done it before, help will be welcome.

I have some problems with the Power Supply/Vacuum box too. PS works ok, but the vacuum doesn't seem to make any suction. I emailed SOTA and Donna kindly sent me a Vacuum troubleshooting guide, but I need further instructions. I'm waiting for a mail from Kirk, but this could take some time because they have a lot of work. Maybe someone here knows how to identify the failure or even to fix it.
This is a picture inside the box...

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1714/img49062.jpg

The pump (enclosed camera) seems to work (noise 3-4 first senconds after power on, then silence). The hose that goes into it (3) is loose. If I pull it comes out, so my first concern is if that hose shouldn't be fixed to a nipple inside 3. I've checked for suction at 3 (with or without hose) but I don't feel/hear anything. Of course no suction from the nipple at 1.
This was a unit purchased in the USA and then brought to Europe. First owner changed himself the jumpers according to instructions from SOTA and he did it OK. He doesn't remember if he changed the fuses, though he believes he didn't. He says the turntable worked ok after the change, In fact, PS works and the tt runs smooth, but I have the feeling he didn't achieve vacuum after the change and he didn't realize. Again, any help will be welcome.

koji

Showing 2 responses by koji

koji OP
2 posts
 
Thank you very much Rick, I supposed were those 3 bolts but I wanted to be sure, now I am.
I already asked SOTA about lube and the vacuum, but this was 10 days ago. I don't know if their reply will take much long but I don't want to bother them with more mails. Now the tt is dismantled (arm, platter) and I'd like to mount it next week (after lubing) and play some LP's, which I haven't done yet.

About the vacuum, I think it can't be nothing serious, the table has 20 years but only 300 hrs use. Maybe the loose hose I related in the above post, a leak in a hose or an inadequate fuse (fuses aren't blown but weren't changed when the PS was converted from 120v to 230v). If I can't manage to fix it, I'll think about sending the big Vacuum box from Spain to the USA, though I'm not very enthusiastic about the idea.
koji OP
2 posts
 
Yes, the noise is typical Russell, that's the reason I thought the pump motor was ok but maybe I was wrong.

Thank you Rick. After checking the steps above, I can confirm 100% that the problem is inside the pump. Manually (breathing in) the lip pulls down and the record seals well. Then if I block the hose it keeps the lip/record down, so there isn't any leak in the platter or the main hose.

I'll try to contact Sota again.
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