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European Thorens TD-316 to US
- Thread starter wllw
- Start date
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Balifly
Listening
Welcome to the AK turn table forum.
You will need a 120 Volt power converter and a 60 Hz turn table pulley, if the present 50Hz pulley is user removable.
The Thorens TD-316 has an external power supply. If you can find one, buy one of the 120v versions. It's part number 4 150 077. You can include these model numbers in your search: TD 316, TD 318, TD 320 and TD 321 - they use the same power supply.
wllw
New Member
Thanks @TomInTacoma I can just get the 120v power supply, then it will work with the European version fine right? I don't need a step down converter or anything right?
tnsilver nailed it. The 'wallwart' he referenced is the power supply (which is a 'step down converter').
bimasta
Addicted Member
I don't think the 50Hz v 60Hz question has been resolved. If this Thorens converts AC to DC, no problem.
But most AC motors us the mains-frequency to set speed, either 50 or 60. If a European model relies on 50Hz, then it has a certain size pulley to deliver 33.3 rpm. If used in the US with 60Hz, that pulley will be way off-speed, and must be replaced. Can it be replaced? If so, is the correct-size replacement pulley available? Affordable?
Stepping 120VAC up or down is irrelevant if the Hz is wrong.
But most AC motors us the mains-frequency to set speed, either 50 or 60. If a European model relies on 50Hz, then it has a certain size pulley to deliver 33.3 rpm. If used in the US with 60Hz, that pulley will be way off-speed, and must be replaced. Can it be replaced? If so, is the correct-size replacement pulley available? Affordable?
Stepping 120VAC up or down is irrelevant if the Hz is wrong.
tnsilver
Stereo Puppy
The motor drive stage is capable of detecting input voltage frequency and of feeding the motor the same AC voltage independently. This makes the pulley diameter constant for all power grids.
bimasta
Addicted Member
You mean on this Thorens? That's a great feature.
lini
just me...
Earl, bimasta: Tom's description reads somewhat odd (referring to the part about "detecting input voltage frequency", because actually it doesn't do that...). Instead, in fact the TD316/318/320 and also the TD280 belong to the Thorens models with electronic two-phase generator, which operates on DC. So the AC input voltage from the wall-wart is immediately rectified (and stabilised) to DC, and hence it doesn't matter, whether one would feed AC with 50 or 60 Hz.
wllw: No worries. You just need a suitable US power supply model. For example, two such models were the Stancor STA-4116 and the Triad Magnetics WAU16-400, of which the Stancor should still be available.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
wllw: No worries. You just need a suitable US power supply model. For example, two such models were the Stancor STA-4116 and the Triad Magnetics WAU16-400, of which the Stancor should still be available.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
bimasta
Addicted Member
@tnsilver — You certainly overcame the "brevity penalty" this time! Good phrase BTW, is it yours? It should enter common usage. It defines a dilemma all writers face — TLDR vs BP.
Great information to have. I'll now ask about applying it...
I have a TD-125/II. To use a 12" arm, I had to extend the plinth. I made a new plinth/armboard/dustover. Wood was solid Imbuia, with wonderful grain patterns. Dustover was "bronze-tinted" Acrylic, 1/4"-thick on top to minimize vibration (tops of dustovers are like drumskins, they vibrate like crazy). It was heavy and no hinges would hold it up, so I made hinges too. Some friends said it was gorgeous, and others just sighed when they saw it.
The electronics failed. I bought a used board on the bay, said to be working. Never installed it because I was moving house, and I'd do it later. A friend offered to keep it for me, which made the move easier given its size, weight and fragility, and I wouldn't have to pack it safely, a big job on its own.
Now he says it's his. Won't give it back. It doesn't work, he can't use, still won't give it back. Frankly I think he sold it. Fortunately I'd removed the tonearm and outer platter. I'll save my essay on Friendship for later.
BUT — I still have the new/used electronics, a NOS complete motor assembly + pulley, the outer platter, and can recycle the inner platter + bearing from another, destroyed Thorens. In other words, make a new one.
But the never-tested electronics, now even older, surely must be rebuilt. Can you provide any guidance on this?
Great information to have. I'll now ask about applying it...
I have a TD-125/II. To use a 12" arm, I had to extend the plinth. I made a new plinth/armboard/dustover. Wood was solid Imbuia, with wonderful grain patterns. Dustover was "bronze-tinted" Acrylic, 1/4"-thick on top to minimize vibration (tops of dustovers are like drumskins, they vibrate like crazy). It was heavy and no hinges would hold it up, so I made hinges too. Some friends said it was gorgeous, and others just sighed when they saw it.
The electronics failed. I bought a used board on the bay, said to be working. Never installed it because I was moving house, and I'd do it later. A friend offered to keep it for me, which made the move easier given its size, weight and fragility, and I wouldn't have to pack it safely, a big job on its own.
Now he says it's his. Won't give it back. It doesn't work, he can't use, still won't give it back. Frankly I think he sold it. Fortunately I'd removed the tonearm and outer platter. I'll save my essay on Friendship for later.
BUT — I still have the new/used electronics, a NOS complete motor assembly + pulley, the outer platter, and can recycle the inner platter + bearing from another, destroyed Thorens. In other words, make a new one.
But the never-tested electronics, now even older, surely must be rebuilt. Can you provide any guidance on this?
You mentioned the essay that you saved. What exactly is about? I wonder to read something like this.
I remembered that I read something about TD-125/II usage practice in the few articles. I paid for them on https://edubirdie.com/college-application-essay-writing when I was studying at college. Yes, I'm a little cheater, but I got a lot of information about electronics schemes in devices. Now I am using these schematics for movie post-production as a sound producer.
