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Question About A Knob Labeled "Auto Off"

RogerALB

RogerALB

New Member
A friend asked me to look at a console stereo system with The Fisher 59-A and 59-T components. It is very cool and in excellent condition but was dead when I got there. The short version of the story is that I checked it out and there was power in, but no lights and no activity of any sort. I was examining the controls and noticed a small knob labeled "Auto Off" and marked "Off" and "On". It was set to "On" so I changed it to "Off" and the system came alive.

I do not recall ever seeing something noted as being "Auto Off". Obviously, it has something to do with turning the system on or off, but the "auto" part escaped our understanding. My friend didn't recall ever using it even though he is the original owner.

Does anybody know how this "Auto Off" is supposed to work?

By the way, the apparent reason that the knob was switched to off is that his granddaughter was fiddling with all the buttons and knobs and almost for sure changed the setting.

Many thanks for reading this.

RogerALB
 
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Just a guess, but maybe the system turns itself off after no music playing for some period of time.

Just found this info on AK, see Post #5 that explains the Auto-Off knob.

racfan9

Thread '1964 Fisher Ambassador'

Good Evening All,
I've posted a lot on AK over the past few years but never in the Fisher Forum but since I've acquired two Fisher Consoles in the last three weeks I figured I needed to make the move. Anyway a couple of weeks ago I picked up a 67 Fisher Diplomat lowboy style and this past Saturday I picked up a 64 Ambassador that is absolutely gorgeous. My questions tonight involves the Ambassador and the 69a amp and the 69t tuner. When I picked it up they had it powered up but told me they weren't able to get any sound out of it. Since it was already on I went a head and tried a few...
 
yep, has to do with the record changer. When the changer shuts off at the end of the stack it turns everything else off if the "auto-off" is enabled. In other things I've seen it only does something in phono mode but I don't know how Fisher did it.
 
BmWr75 said:
Just a guess, but maybe the system turns itself off after no music playing for some period of time.

Just found this info on AK, see Post #5 that explains the Auto-Off knob.

racfan9

Thread '1964 Fisher Ambassador'

Good Evening All,
I've posted a lot on AK over the past few years but never in the Fisher Forum but since I've acquired two Fisher Consoles in the last three weeks I figured I needed to make the move. Anyway a couple of weeks ago I picked up a 67 Fisher Diplomat lowboy style and this past Saturday I picked up a 64 Ambassador that is absolutely gorgeous. My questions tonight involves the Ambassador and the 69a amp and the 69t tuner. When I picked it up they had it powered up but told me they weren't able to get any sound out of it. Since it was already on I went a head and tried a few...
Click to expand...
That's it for sure! Thank you for this, it is very much appreciated.

It also provides a clue as to why the purpose of this knob was forgotten. The original Dual turntable was replaced with a BSR C-205. I don't know why, and I didn't bother to ask. The Auto Off knob is not connected to the BSR in any way that I can see, so it just turns the system off. Or so I am guessing.

Anyway, thank you BmWr75 and gadget73. You help is very much appreciated.

RogerALB
 
The knob isn't connected, but there is a wire that would have been involved. Stock the Fisher should have had a 4 wire connector that powered the original Dual. Hot, neutral, chassis ground, and a switched return wire. The BSR I'm guessing is just using a regular power cord. If the connector is still there and the same you may be able to just plug it in and have it work. Or with a little work you could adapt it, though honestly I'd probably be on the hunt for something better than a BSR if this were mine and then I'd wire it back up properly.
 
I just saw this on a Pilot SP210 console pull preamp I'm getting ready to sell. Makes sense now, that it would be connected to the turntable...

IMG_4210.jpeg
 
gadget73 said:
The knob isn't connected, but there is a wire that would have been involved. Stock the Fisher should have had a 4 wire connector that powered the original Dual. Hot, neutral, chassis ground, and a switched return wire. The BSR I'm guessing is just using a regular power cord. If the connector is still there and the same you may be able to just plug it in and have it work. Or with a little work you could adapt it, though honestly I'd probably be on the hunt for something better than a BSR if this were mine and then I'd wire it back up properly.
Click to expand...
I have the BSR out of the cabinet for some servicing so when I take it back over for the re-install I will check for the connectors. The owner had the BSR plugged directly into the wall although there are 2 sockets on the amp (59-A). There may very well be the 4-wire connector back there, so I'll take a close look. It is a little bit of a mess as there are a couple of extra wires and such, so we will see what we will see.

The owner doesn't listen to records these days and it is only used when his granddaughter comes over so he is happy with the BSR. Personally, if it were mine I'd probably do some shopping. There are enough decent turntables out there these days that are reasonably priced and a lot more reliable. Of course, an updated cartridge on the BSR wouldn't be a bad idea either, come to think of it.
 
My Pilot FA-590 has it too. Pilots used a goofy round socket on their preamps for the cable from the changer but electrically it works the same. The Fisher console pull I have had a 4 wire cord just coming out of the chassis for the changer.
 
You might find this interesting and you can access the Service & Owners manual as well (upper right hand corner)

1965 Fisher Futura VI F-590 Console

This page contains the 1965 Fisher Futura VI F-590 Console chassis numbers, model numbers, cabinet designs, original price, and pictures .
www.fisherconsoles.com
 
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