General Overview of How a Wurlitzer Jukebox Works
Many customers ring me up with a very hazy understanding of what their jukebox is doing wrong, which can make my job of diagnosing a fault rather difficult. So this article is an over view of the general workings of the average jukebox so that you will have a greater understanding of where the problem might lie.
Jukeboxes are a fascinating combination of engineering problems, all wrapped up in one box, whose purpose is to 1) select a specific record 2) put that record in a playing position and 3) play it. Each of those operations is tackled slightly differently by the different manufactuters but the general principles are the same.
Firstly, there needs to be a method of recording the selection a customer has made. This is either done mechanically, or on later machines, electronically. With mechnical selection systems, there is a particular part of the jukebox called the selector unit, the selection drum, or the ‘memory’ depending on who you talk to. On early Wurlitzers it is a circular
array of latched pins on a large metal ring beneath the record carousel.Each pin has a spring attached in such a manner that when the pin becomes unlatched at the bottom it will rise upwards a short distance so that it is sitting proud
of the other latched pins
Each pin is allocated to one side of one record so for a 100 selection jukebox there would be 100 pins. When a selection is made for say, A1, then the pin associated with selection A1 is either flicked at the bottom by a solenoid, so that it pops up or ‘sucked’ by a solenoid so that it pops up.
Once the pin is ‘popped’ the machine then rotates the carousel (with the records in it) so that it will align the correct record with the mechanics that will then remove the record and put it in play positon. On machines which play upright, this is an arm that pushes up through the carousel, and on machines which play flat it is a ‘gripper’ arm that picks the record up and lays it on the turntable.
As the carousel rotates, an arm below the carousel called the ‘crank arm’ also sweeps round above the selector unit at a height just enough to clear the latched pins, but low enough to bump into one which has popped up. When it bumps into that pin it causes the carousel to stop in that exact position, which in turn is the exact position the record is located in the carousel, and so the correct record for that selection is lined up ready to be played.
The lift arm or the gripper arm then raises the record (or lowers it) into the play position on the turn table, the tone arm is placed onto the record and starts to play.
So in summary.
The jukebox is either on free play or is in credit.
A selection is made on the keypad.
The associated pin on the selector drum pops up.
The carousel rotates until the crank arm hits that pin.
The machine then stops the carousel in that location and starts the play cycle, lifting the record into play position.
The tone arm is moved onto the record and the record plays.
Next time you need to report a jukebox repair, I hope this short article will help you to more accurately describe the problem.
The Jukebox Doctor www.jukebox-repairs.co.uk
About the Author
465lb. Squat
|
|
4pk 5.5in Round Multi-purpose Grippers (Asst. Colors) Opens Jar Lids & Caps… |
|
|
Scunci No Damage Flexible Headband/Headwrap Black (Pack of 2) $2.98 … |
|
|
The Children’s Place Girls Jelly Headwrap Sizes 4 – 14 Wrap up her look with a splash of color! Flexible plastic band has mini grippers for stay-put style. Elasticized nylon in back for a comfy fit. Imported.CHILD_WARNING… |
|
|
Hogue Rubber Grip Ar-15/M-16 Rubber Grip with Finger Grooves $15.53 Hogue Grips Grip Rubber Black Colt AR-15 15000. Note: Please check your state regulations, hunting regulations, etc before placing an order for any of our items. Your order may be canceled if the item is not able to be shipped to your state due to their regulations…. |
|
|
Fat Gripz $43.99 Fat Gripz are a bar wrap that turns any standard bar or dumbell into a grip pounding thick handled monster. Use on your bars, dumbells, logs, pullup bars, cable attachements, or just about anything you can think of in the gym. Fat Gripz turn any exercise into a forearm and hand strength building variation that will challenge you in new ways. Great for grip guys as well as any athlete that requires… |
|
|
Pachmayr Grips For Walther Ppk/S (New Generation S&W) $28.25 Walther PPK/S (New Generation S&W) Grip – Manufacture ID: 03478Pachmayr’s signature grips feature patented full wrap around design and are made from rubber specially formulated for use on semi-automatic pistols. This rubber compound gives them a feel that is unmistakably Pachmayr. Built in steel inserts ensure they maintain their shape. Signature grips are the overwhelming choice of competitive sh… |
|
|
Ergo Grip Steering Wheel Cover, Black … |
|
|
tip tote gripper ipad silicone wrap $19.95 Cushion your iPad in style as this ingenious case securely wraps your iPad in strong flexible silicone providing a non-skid surface for safe handling while still allowing access to audio jacks, buttons, ports, and power outlets. The Tip Tote Gripper also protects your iPad from dents and scratches. Tip Tote cases make the perfect combo to protect and travel with your iPad…. |
|
|
Men’s Heavy Duty Non- Slip Ice Treads $25.00 Conquer the winter with extra confidence with our studded tire technology for your feet. Easy to use adjustable non-slip ice treads fit over your footwear, help you feel more secure in winter walking conditions. Eight metal studs on a non-slip thick 1/4″ rubberized sole and heal use your body weight to dig into ice and hard packed snow, increase traction, reduce your chances of slipping and fallin… |
|
|
Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black) $11.24 The Joby Gorillapod makes taking digital photos more fun than ever. Designed with self-timer photography in mind, the Gorillapod lets you mount your camera just about anywhere you want so that you can include everyone in your automatic shots. All you need to do is use the universal 1/4-20 screw to attach your camera to the standard tripod mount, then wrap the three flexible segmented legs secure… |