VPI-HW19 first model
Just got this turntable out of estate sales. Has original Sumiko MMT arm on.
The owner stated he changed motor 2 years ago and it's Hurst 600rpm motor.
My issue there: This motor is LOUD and it's clearly heard through the record surface. This motor seems to be a stepped synchronous motor. I tried to damp this motor mount bracket with silicone gasket and it still transfers too much vibrations onto the platter and arm boards. The original owner also supplied me with original motor that is still functional.
Tried to contact VPI -- no luck/no response after numerous e-mails (are they still around or gone?)
Tried to contact Hurst -- no working phone or e-mail listed on their site.
@dill This TT has sorbothane suspension pads @boothroyd , Previous owner received this upgraded capacitor with new motor 2 years ago. Regardless when motor is on you can turn plinth into rapid vibrator. The noise is MECHANICAL and it's typical to most of the stepped synchronous motors that aren't any good for turntables on the first place. |
Having the fact that I actually have the original motor from late 80's early 90's, brings me to an idea to try to recondition it. It spins when voltage applied at proper terminals through the OG starting cap. I have an access to unlock the c-clip holding the shaft on the top portion of motor. I can also see some lubrication drops through the bottom of the motor when bottom cap is off. |
I just tested it with old cap hard wired to see if it’s spinning before actually starting disassembly. I’ll try to see if this old motor with the new cap after some surgical clean-up and lube will run better than newer one. Will put myself onto test on how good or lousy am I by trying to make from crap a cake. :-) |
@boothroyd , I finally got a grip on paste dielectric synthetic grease. From what I see I need to really pack this anchor all the way to the top literally squeezing it over the shaft right into basket magnet. It might be a factor of consuming more power from the wall due to the thick viscosity, but it really should reduce vibrations. I really don't care if motor is loud, but all I care is about typical vibrations to any synchronous AC motor that shouldn't be used as a turntable motor at all. It's more good to power tools like grinder than turntables. |
Here we go: My work has been completed with MAJOR success of reconditioning an old original motor. The transferred vibrations had been completely eliminated to the plinth through motor. As I figured, I packed the magnet well topped off before sliding it back into the spindle hole. I had to apply some pressure to the bottom of the anchor so to fit the c-lip back in. I used typical dielectric synthetic grease that really showed magic of not being able to go through the spindle hole with sufficient viscosity to make every part of spinning magnet bathing in grease under pressure. There I followed principle of drive shaft or wheel bearings. Some degree of vibrations was notable when applying extra pressure to plinth, but those cannot be heard at all neither at the beginning of record nor at the end of dead wax. I liked this grease so I’ve used it on my cue lever also with success. Overall, GREAT TT. |
@boothroyd , I tried to see if newer motor will be more quiet and to my surprise, after same treatment still was awfully mechanically buzzing all the way down to the armboard and from there there's no escape except sound pickup. Bummer. Wonder if I can be offered replacement for my back-up motor from VPI.
|
