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Thorens 146 arm won't lift automatically

D

dasboot

Member
when it gets to the dead vinyl. I just started using the TT regularly again after sporasdic use the last few years.
The lift function worked fine in the past.
Is there a way to adjust it?
Is the lift function calibrated to engage at a certain distance from the center hole?
I just replaced the belt and adjusted the TF and bias.
Could that have anything to do with it?
 
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Comeon guys!
Nobody can help me here?:scratch2:
I've searched other sites but can't find this specific info.
Thanks!
 
By any chance did you change the height of the tonearm (I just finished overhauling my 145 MKII)? I found that after I had adjusted my arm to be level, the auto lift stopped working. What had happened was that I had raised the trigger on the tonearm out of the zone the sensor could read.

You'll need to flip over the TT and remove the bottom cover. Remove the cover protecting the tonearm wires. MAKE A HISTORY MARK NOW! First check that the sensor is not too far away from the trigger. I think the manual says .5mm to 1mm gap (.020" to .040"). Loosen the screw and rotate the trigger cylinder one way or the other and see if the function works. A little bit of change at the pivot makes a big difference at the end of the arm.

If re-timing solved your problem, re-tighten the screw, button her back up and you're done

If it did not solve your problem, you can try adjusting the height of the tonearm. If that fixes your problem you them have to decide if you can live with the tonearm position. If yes, you're done. If no, keep reading.

My fix was to fabricate a small piece of ferrite (mild steel would probably have worked) and adhear it to the trigger cylinder.

Everything is working fine again now.

Bottom.jpg


Trigger.jpg


Trigger_II.jpg


Sensor_II.jpg


Best Of Luck! It's really not a tough job, you just have to be carefull...
 
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You know.....that's EXACTLY what I did!
I completely forgot I raised the arm.
The arm would not come off the vinyl using the raise/lower knob si I raised it a bit.
Now it's perfectexcept fot the shut-off part.
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions.
I don't understand why, if I just raised the arm to where it probably was before, why would that throw the auto-lift off?
Could I just lower it a little bit so it will raise with the knob, but still engage the auto lift?
 
First check that the sensor is not too far away from the trigger
Click to expand...
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Sorry, but looking at the photo, I have no idea what exactly the "trigger" is.:scratch2:
I'm looking again....So the "trigger cylinder" rotates to activate the switch?

My fix was to fabricate a small piece of ferrite (mild steel would probably have worked) and adhear it to the trigger cylinder.
Click to expand...
Was this to get a more solid connection with the switch?

I'm trying to picture exactly what happens here.
I' completely new to this.
Great pics BTW!:thmbsp:
 
dasboot said:
.
Sorry, but looking at the photo, I have no idea what exactly the "trigger" is.:scratch2:
I'm looking again....So the "trigger cylinder" rotates to activate the switch?


Was this to get a more solid connection with the switch?

I'm trying to picture exactly what happens here.
I' completely new to this.
Great pics BTW!:thmbsp:
Click to expand...

The white cylinder has a metal plate molded into it. That metal plate activates the orange sensor when it comes into the correct relationship. I believe the metal plate has to span the upper and lower portion of the sensor. That will be apparent when you remove the sensor and examine it. My buddy is an electrical engineer and suggested using ferrite. I'm guessing that the material has properties that come close to what the sensor was designed to work with.

Sensor_III.jpg


The amount I raised my arm required me to modify two other pieces. The tonearm lift needed to be taller so I removed their rubber cushion (just slides out) and glued on a piece of automotive vacuum hose.

Lift.jpg


The tonearm dock also needed to be raised so I fabricated a 1/4" spacer out of lexan and painted it.

Arm_Rest.jpg
 
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Really nice work buddy!:thmbsp:
So, perhaps I can lower the arm back to the height where the auto lift will work THEN modify the lift arm so the tonearm achieves the proper relationship with the vinyl.
That might be easier and just as effective as my playing around with the sensor.

Wadaya think?:scratch2:

PS.....since I've got your ear, when reading about Thorens TTs, what other model comes closest to the 146 is general specs?
I rarely see the 146 mentioned.
Let's say I'm looking to do a mod or repair, could I use the info for, say, a Thorens 160?
I posted this question earlier but never received a response.

Thanks BP!
 
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If all you needed was a little more height for your tonearm lift, by all means lower your tonearm and add something to the lift arm (I couldn't abide by the severly non-level arm). When you pull out the factory rubber pad there is a nice v-groove that is a nice platform to many different diameters. I liked the vacuum hose because it offered similar "traction" to the factory part.

You may be able to learn more about your 146 at The Vinyl Engine Thorens forum. I know my 160 and 145 share many parts but I can't speak for the 146. I'm sure you can apply most all of the mods to yours, I'm just not sure about swapping motors, etc.
 
If all you needed was a little more height for your tonearm lift, by all means lower your tonearm and add something to the lift arm (I couldn't abide by the severly non-level arm).
Click to expand...
That's really all I needed.
After I dusted off the TT and started using it in earnest, I found these sites.
When I adjusted the tonearm to the point where it was horizontal, the auto lift stopped working.
But the "tonearm laws" appear to be at odds with themselves here.
Why, if the tonearm is set properly,(horizontal when suspended between platter & tonearm dock), would the auto lift cease to function?
There shouldn't be any need to modify any of the components....right?

No matter.
I'll either just lower the arm and mod the arm lift OR go inside and fiddle with the sensor just for the experience involved.

Either way, your response to my situation has been magnificent and I truly appreciate it.:thmbsp::smoke:
 
Is there a way I can view the broken link photos? Trying to figure out the auto lift adjustment, having trouble finding any photos
 
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