Leaving a TT running...any problems?

[jhoyt]

I have a Pioneer PL-71, great TT! However, there is more speed fluctuation than I like (it's audible), and the strobe neon bulb died. My "solution" has been to leave the platter spinning, as the speed seems to stabilize more the longer it's been running. Other than the energy draw, are there any drawbacks to this? Wear to the motor bushings?

Also, anyone know how to get a replacement strobe bulb? It runs directly off 110V/60Hz, so that rules out anything LED (unless I mount a stepdown transformer...???)

 

[similost]

You mean leave it running all day every day?

You really don't want to do that.. wasteful on the power, and wear on the table..

 

[kermit z]

Have you tried cleaning the speed controls? I can't imagine letting it run indefinitly is good for it.

 

[BrocLuno]

Motor likely has plain bushings and they are quite susceptible to long term ware without regular lube, either from the oil-lite bearing or from a reservoir of some sort. The same can be said of the spindle bearing, but they usually have plenty of oil, a much larger surface area, and they spin 100's, if not 1000's of times slower than the motor.

If you are having speed issues, it's likely the speed controls that have gotten a bit of oxidation in them over time. Suggest you clean and lube those. De-Oxit to clean and brighten the contacts and FaderLube to make smooth again. Many threads here about how to do that. Some probably about your model table

 

[hakaplan]

This is a direct drive unit. The motor and platter bearings are permanently sealed and should not (and really cannot) be lubricated. Technics is the only direct drive that requires lube. I don't think you can ruin it (I've yet to see a failed direct drive motor), but it makes more sense to follow kermit's and broc's suggestion and clean the speed controls. You need to open it up and spray it on the innards of those controls. If you can locate the actual 33/45 switch (not the linkage, but the actual electrical switch inside) spray it on the innards of that, too.

 

[jhoyt]

I recently cleaned the speed regulating pot, and for some reason it seemed to be worse after that. Then I recapped the electrolytics (all three) on the regulator board. It's better now, but not perfect. I'll just let the motor run for a few minutes first, that should do the trick.

 

[sloober]

Not sure if your model has a transformer inside. A table of mine did, and had an 11v AC tap. I used that along with a resistor to drop the voltage enough to replace the strobe with an LED. The blue LED works much better than the neon, and looks cool to boot.
John

 

[jhoyt]

Good idea--there is a transformer inside, I'll check what it puts out. Thanks! :thmbsp: