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VPI Single Motor Flywheel / SDS / Aries 3

I just purchased a new VPI Single Motor flywheel for my Aries 3. I have an SDS. It seems like I get answers a little quicker from this forum than VPI, although I have a call in to them.

Here is my dilemma: When I have the Single Motor Flywheel plugged in to the SDS or the wall outlet, the motor turns the flywheel too slowly and I am several HZ below the 60Hz/33RPM on my SDS. The sound is very slow and clearly under 33 rpm on the platter. The flywheel seems we lubricated and turns easily. The motor is quiet. It's just slow. So slow, I have to turn the SDS up to 65-66 HZ to approach strobe disc accuracy and acceptable sound for 33 rpm. Haven't even tried 45 rpm yet.

The motor is placed within proper distance to the flywheel. It came with two small brown belts for the motor to spin the flywheel and one larger black belt which appears to be the same size as the belt used on the Aries 3 regular 300 rpm motor.

Is this normal? Anyone with VPI single motor flywheels or experience with them that could give me advice would be greatly appreciated.
philb7777
philb7777 OP
401 posts
 
Stan, thanks so much for your response. So this is 72 for 33 rpm speed? That would seem to make sense as I would guess at 72 this is where I would have to be to get accurate speed for 33 rpm.

Any more info I can gleem from you would be great. Your sure know your VPI stuff!
philb7777 OP
401 posts
 
Stan here are my settings with the original Aries 3 motor using center weight and peripheral ring: 33RPM - 60 Hz, 45 RPM- 81 Hz.

I'll try the flywheel with strobe disc more tonight and see what I get. If you had to set it at 72 Hz to get 33 RPM with flywheel and center weight and peripheral ring, it would make sense from what I'm seeing.
starcon
98 posts
 
I have the same stuff (aries 3 with the flywheel and 2 belts) 33 is 72 volts. Then using the strobe and the disc adjust the (mine is 60.22) until you achieve the speed. There is no one perfect setting for everyone. The trick is to set it and let it run and recheck. It takes a while for the thing to lock in on 33 rpm So take your time and have a couple beers and adjust slowly to get the proper result. (Read Harry's instructions-they are very clear!)
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I just had an interesting experience. As I said my voltage is usually 72 at right on 60 Hz. I decided to connect the SDS to my Scoutmaster, I had to lower the setting to slightly below 60 to get the exact speed. When I went back to my listening seat I noticed the voltage read 84. I was puzzled until I realized that I had plugged the SDS into one for the regular lines rather than one of the two dedicated ones. When I plugged it into one of them the voltage went back to 72.
So there is a 12 volt difference between my dedicated and non dedicated lines on the SDS, no wonder they sound different.
joe55ag
29 posts
 
Hi Philb,

I have the same setup with a single flywheel, SDS, and VPI ring and clamp.

The SDS voltage and frequency really should not matter, as long as both 33 & 45 speeds are perfect with your KAB strobe.

I learned a good tip on Audiogon for the SDS and VPI setup.

When you are fine tuning the SDS, put an LP record on the turntable with the ring and the KAB disc over it.
Now, before putting the clamp on, take a 45rpm single with the center plastic in it, and place it on top of the KAB disc, then put the clamp on top. (you will still be able to see the speeds on the KAB)

When you go to set your speeds, place the stylus in the center of the 45 track and actually play the 45. (you can leave the volume off of course) Now set your speeds. This gives you the speed of the fully loaded platter including the average stylus drag..

Absolutely the best way to do it..

Have Fun,
Joe
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