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Vintage turntable running fast, any ideas?

I got a Pioneer Pl-12 turntable from a friend who had it stored away for years. I cleaned it up but have found that some voices have a higher pitch compared to the CD version. I tried the free strobe disks and they verified my fears about the platter turning (I assume) too fast. I also measured similar songs from CDs and albums, and the albums always finish sooner. From some rough time estimates, the turntable is running about 3% too fast.

Looking from the bottom side up on the turntable, there are no adjustments and very little electronics at all. The only electronics are: the motor with a few wires running to it; an enclosed switch to select 115/230 voltable, and a somewhat large capacitor (I think). The "capacitor" has a rating of 0.1 uF and some serial numbers.

I suspect the "capacitor" is old or burnt or whatever. I doubt the voltage switch is the prolem, nor the motor, but who knows?

Any ideas? I have a voltage meter so I can measure the usual volts, ohms, or ampere, but I don't have an oscilloscope to measure frequency.

Thanks for any ideas,
rrick

Showing 1 response by vantageaudio

vantageaudio
182 posts
 

This brings back dim, distant memories...!! The PL-12D was a good budget deck and was sold in competition with the Garrard SP-25 (MK whatever..) in the 1970's.

In the past we have worked on some of these decks for clients. Most of the speed problems originated from the motor and usually this was replaced. The original motor is no longer available but there is a motor kit still available that will revive the unit but it costs around £70 (approx US$100) in the UK, so it may not be a cost effective choice for you.

Belts are still available but this is unlikely to cause your fast speed problem.

We have a circuit diagram somewhere in the files and I'll see if I can locate it and double-check if there is anything you can check on, but dim memory tells me that other than reviving the motor there 'aint much else you can do.

Regards, Richard.

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