Collaro Conquest not always dropping records

[Old Sparky]

This is the same autochanger which is the subject of my earlier thread regarding the motor and fan.  The deck is now working well except for the fact that it sometimes doesn't drop the second  and/or subsequent records in a stack, but repeats the same disc.  I've read the section in the service manual  about record dropping checks and adjustments but as far as I can see there's nothing amiss there, and the settings have never been disturbed.  The record keeper, and the sliding section of the spinle which allows a record to drop both function OK, so is this a case of a problem due to wear of this almost 60 year old deck which cannot be remedied, or does anyone more familiar with Collaro autochangers know of a cure?  This deck is the one where the inner edge of the PU Head gently taps the rim of the disc 'knocking' it over the ledge on the spindle,btw.

[Terry]

This deck is the one where the inner edge of the PU Head gently taps the rim of the disc 'knocking' it over the ledge on the spindle,btw.

[panto_mode] Oh no it doesn't! [/panto_mode]

The pick up head is 'record sizing' and the mechanism is set so that the stylus is lowered ⅛" inside the sensed diameter, making these changers uinique in that they could automatically play any size of record, not just the normal 7", 10", 12" selection.

It was probably wasted on most users but some may have found this facility particularly useful if they had a pre-war collection of the 8" 78 RPM records sold in Woolworth's for 6d under the 'Eclipse' label (forerunner of the post war 'Embassy' label). Another label issuing 8" records was 'Broadcast'.

The only way to play any of these on a BSR or Garrard deck was manually, one at a time, whereas you could put a complete stack on a Conquest and play them automatically. You could also mix them with 10" and 12" records provided that you put the largest records at the bottom. This was because when the head carried out its sizing manoeuvre it 'tapped' several records at the bottom of the stack (about three, if memory serves me correctly)  - one very good reason why it couldn't be used to 'knock' the bottom record over the edge!

As it always drops the first disc correctly, either there is something preventing the remainder of the stack dropping into place (unlikely) or the lever which does push the next disc over the edge is not moving freely enough so that the weight of the remainder of the stack traps it in position so that it can't retract ready for the next cycle.

I would check for grease in the spindle assembly that has turned to glue or, possibly, a return spring that has lost its tension. If the mechanism physically pushes the lever back into place, is it possible that excess play allows the lever to ride up over whatever pushes it when the stack drops?

[Cardigan]

From memory there is a slide that operates the spindle actuator and the Conquest is unusual in that the record pusher doesn't just rock, but actually bears the weight of the whole stack during a change and as a result is much kinder to the centre holes of the records.

There is an animation here.
http://midimagic.sgc-hosting.com/collaro.htm

As the previous poster has suggested, I would be looking at hardened grease and perhaps detached springs (it does happen). The whole mechanism can be removed for inspection easily, if you haven't already done this I'd suggest you do so now. Old grease is the enemy of the older autochanger.

[Old Sparky]

There's a lot of useful information on that site, Cardigan. Thanks for the link to it. I'm less familiar with Collaro Changers than BSR & Garrard ones, and didn't know, e.g., that they can automatically detect 'odd' record diameters, such as the 9", 8",, and even 5" diameter 78s issued before WW2. At the moment, the changer is working OK and dropping most records , so, for now I'll leave well alone, having spent some time prior to repairing the EAR Player in which this deck is fitted, cleaning, adjusting, & relubricating the mechanism, although I didn't remove or dismantle the record dropping mechanism.

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
I'd definitely do a full strip down, a thorough cleaning and re-lubrication should make all the difference. The conquest is a fine turntable but can be daunting if your not mechanically minded. I always take lots of photos during stripdown, a lost spring or position can be a pain to sort out without decent references.
Good luck.

[Old Sparky]

Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions. I'll bear them in mind if the fault recurs.

[Cardigan]

Contrary to popular belief, the Conquest is actually a very simple deck and time spent on a full overhaul is amply rewarded.

[Murphyv310]

Contrary to popular belief, the Conquest is actually a very simple deck and time spent on a full overhaul is amply rewarded.

Totally agree! I didn't find the ones I've done to be bad, dead simple in comparison to some of the things I’ve stripped down and repaired over the years.
I would still say if though if you don't feel happy stripping something always take lots of pictures during the process.