SOLUTION FOR THE DREADED "MY TABLE REPEAT PLAYS AFTER STOP BUTTON IS PRESSED" WHEN IN "MULTI-PLAY MODE" OR "SINGLE SPINDLE UPSIDE DOWN REPEAT MODE" AFTER A DISASSEMBLY, CLEANING AND RELUBE
I wanted to share a solution I found for a common problem that crops up if you take these units apart, clean and relube them.
Most folks who have serviced their table may not even realize they have this problem unless they use the
multi-play changer spindle or the
single play spindle in upside down repeat mode.
I think ELAC used the same basic mechanism throughout the 1960s and 1970s, so this solution should apply to the 10, 40, 50 and 770 models.
If you have taken your table apart to clean old dried grease and relube, I would strongly encourage you to test steps one and two below to see if your table now has this baffling problem.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM
1.
REPEAT MODE (single spindle). If the single play spindle is upside down, you are in repeat mode. Basically, ELAC designed the mechanism so you can automatically replay an album ad infinitum if you wish by simply inserting the spindle upside down. It's a very cool feature. A proper functioning table allows you to press stop once to stop the repeat cycle, bring the tonearm to rest and turn off. But after cleaning and reassembly, you may have to press the stop button TWICE to end the repeat cycle. If your table has this problem, pressing stop once will cause an errant repeat play cycle to occur.
2.
CHANGER MODE (multi-play spindle). With a stack of records on the multi-play changer spindle, a proper functioning table allows you to press stop once to bring the tonearm to rest and turn off. But after cleaning and reassembly, you may have to press the stop button TWICE. If your table has this problem, pressing stop once will cause an errant repeat play cycle to occur.
CAUSE
There is a required
micro tolerance of 0.3 mm, and the trace pin catch lever (part 156) that engages a pawl (part 177) can and will get out of whack after taking the unit apart for cleaning and subsequent reassembly. Any deviation from the micro-tolerance causes the problem.
SOLUTION
Adjust a wire spring (part 45) so the catch lever is properly aligned. The adjustment is extremely minute, but it will make the difference between the arm resting after the stop button is pressed (again, when in "repeat" or "multi-play" mode) or errantly repeating play a 2nd time. I had to nudge the lever in half mm increments and test each new position until it was properly aligned.
I've added notations to a service manual diagram and a photo below. Looking down at the turntable, the adjustment is just to the left of the tonearm.