Help needed for problems with Beogram 1000

Reply

rustyrusty Posted: Sat, Jun 1 2013 10:56 PM

rated by 0 users

Hi all - I'm new here, this is my first post and I have no experience with B&O products whatsoever, so pardon my naivety...

I just got hold of a Beogram 1000 on eBay in pretty good condition, considering its age - looks great but I'm having a few problems with it (couldn't find any solutions for these after a quick search of the forum, please point me in the right direction if they have been posted elsewhere...)

1. The operating instructions say that the motor should start when I lift the pickup out of the arm rest, but in fact it starts as soon as I plug the mains in and turn the power on - similarly, it doesn't stop when I put the pickup back in the arm rest and I have to unplug it every time I want to stop using it. I notice the instructions indicate there is a switch in the arm rest that actuates the motor starting/stopping, but I can't see anything that is obviously a switch (I take it this must be internal?).
2. The motor starts turning very slowly and can take up to a few minutes (!) to get up to the right speed.
3. I'm 99% sure the audio output cable is damaged - the left channel is fine but there's a constant buzzing in the right speaker. I just bought a brand new 5-pin din-phono adapter and preamp, so I know those aren't the problem, and my CD player works fine through both speakers.

I'm really looking forward to getting my new turntable working properly if at all possible, but as stated above I'm a complete novice so have no idea where to begin with getting these things fixed! I understand that spare motors/compatible parts in general can be very expensive and hard to come by and (as far as I can see from Google) there are no repair services for old turntables in my local area, so any advice on  how I can get fixing would be very much appreciated.

Thanks 

PS - happy to take photos/video if that'd help. 

Reply

Søren Mexico replied on Sun, Jun 2 2013 2:21 AM

rated by 0 users

Welcome to the forum.

The start and stop problem is an internal switch, as far as I can see from the manual (available on the forum for silver or gold members) this switch is actuated by a detector pin inside the arm rest, the pin may be blocked, not there, or the switch underneath it gone bad or bypassed.

The slow start is a bad belt and/or the drive mechanism needs a throughout cleaning and lubrication. This is recommended anyway, thinking about the age of the Beogram

Beogram 1000 was my first B&O item, bought 1969 and 2 years later sold as part payment for a car.

Reply

Søren Mexico replied on Sun, Jun 2 2013 2:23 AM

rated by 0 users

Forgot the hum, make a ground connection from BG chassis to preamp chassis, if that does not help you will have to check the connections inside the deck

Reply

Dillen replied on Sun, Jun 2 2013 7:45 AM

rated by 0 users

I may be able to find an armrest with a functional powerswitch in the dungeons if you need.

Martin

Reply

rustyrusty replied on Mon, Jun 3 2013 11:15 PM

rated by 0 users

Thanks Søren Mexico - appreciate the suggestions.

The original listing on eBay said my Beogram has a brand new belt which has been oiled, so I'm guessing it must be the drive mechanism. A few further questions:

• I came across this guide to fixing what sounds like a similar issue to this - does this sound like good advice and something you'd suggest I follow?
• Can you identify the detector pin for the arm rest from the image of the underside on that page?
• What sort of product should I use to clean/lubricate the drive mechanism/bearings etc?
• How would I go about making a ground connection?

Also, what's the best general advice you could give to someone who's never opened up/tried to repair a turntable before and is cautious of doing so for fear of damaging it?

Did you experience any issues with your Beogram 1000 that I should be aware of? Glad to hear you enjoyed it enough that your interest continues to the present day!

Dillen - many thanks for the kind offer, I may well take you up on that if I can't fix my existing one!

Reply

Søren Mexico replied on Tue, Jun 4 2013 12:47 AM

rated by 0 users

The drive belt must be dry and clean, not oiled.

Here a pic from the spare part list showing the switch and pin

For cleaning use mineral spirit or Isopropyl alcohol. for lubrication use Liquid Bearings or sewing machine oil, never WD 40 or the like.

Taking the drive apart is not for the fainthearted, if you never did something like this and have no mechanical skills DONT.

The same goes for the electronics, But a good radio/electro technician should be able to do it.

I have never had a BG 1000 apart, but here what I did to my BG 1202

The ground connection is a simple single strand copper wire, connected to the steel chassis on the BG and the preamp.

Here pics of the drive from my BG 1202, not the same as BG 1000 but nearly

Reply

rustyrusty replied on Thu, Jun 13 2013 2:43 PM

rated by 0 users

Thanks for the advice and pics (and sorry for taking so long to respond) - after some consideration I decided it was best not to attempt fixing it myself and eventually found a local electronics shop who have taken a look at it for me.

The good news is that the guy has been able to fix the motor very cheaply. Far outweighing this though is the bad news that the cartridge needs replacing - not a cheap or easy task, I'm led to believe. Any tips? Is there only one cartridge compatible with the Beogram 1000? Anywhere I should look other than eBay?

R 

Reply

Søren Mexico replied on Fri, Jun 14 2013 2:26 AM

rated by 0 users

As you are in the UK, try Axel in Germany he will be able to help you, and dont step down because of the prices, think about it, a new or repaired pick up will last for 10-20 years , All the SP pick ups will do, if your records are like mines good-, get  a cheaper one or repair the one you have. 

You are in for a tread, my BG 1000 1970 went with me on my bike anywhere, I have never, before or after abused any electronic equipment, like that, but it played on and on. GO FOR IT

Reply

rustyrusty replied on Sat, Jun 22 2013 10:38 AM

rated by 0 users

Thanks again Søren, all your advice has been much appreciated - sadly I couldn't afford the extra expense of a new/repaired cartridge and the seller wasn't willing to cover the cost, so I had to return the turntable get a refund. Bit disappointing but it won't put me off seeking out another B&O turntable in future!

Cheers

R