Walker Prelude Quartet users with VPI 16.5

Mucho good advice so far.

Agree that considerable downward pressure from brushes while the platter is spinning, will cause more drag, and no doubt cause increased platter motor heat.

A cooling fan mod will solve that.

Me, I generally apply fluids, with platter rotating, then once the record is covered, I stop the platter, and give those cleaners some time to do thier job. I'll very lightly-gently scrub the record in sections with the platter motionless.

A spare wand dedicated for just the final rinse step I think is a good idea. I have hear some going to the lengths of having a different wand assembly for each, and every step, but I think this is a bit overdoing it.

I myself, notice what you say about platter rock, and have recently considered replacing the 4 rubber standoffs that connect the platter motor, to the motor mounting plate, with either aluminum spacers, or nylon.

I know places like the home improvement stores carry such in their hardware sections.

I feel if there is less rock-play, the vacuum wand will be able to maintain a more uniform contact across the record.

Whatever the standoff's lengths are, the new spacers would need to be the exact same length, so as not to alter platter height. Mark

Theo,
I've discussed these seemingly strange heat issues occuring with some of the VPI 16.5's with numerous folks, in a number of forums.

It seems a mystery that some experience it, and some don't. In any case, I don't believe Harry Weisfield had marathon cleaning sessions in mind with the 16.5. At least not in stock form. No doubt why the more expensive offerings do have fans.

Harry recently commented about the 16.5 in one forum, saying that the vacuum motor has been the same for a long time, so, the only other variable I can think of, is the platter motor.

My own 16.5 displayed a very hot platter motor after short usage, and hence, I installed a cooling fan, and it has helped considerably.

Whether some motors were a different model, a change of internal design, or other issues, such as inadequate gearcase lubricant where the motors were made, I cannot say?

The slight bit of rest in between steps helps, but the 16.5 doesn't possess much in the way of cabinet ventilation to let heat escape.

I think all will agree that even the finest cleaners need some time to do their jobs. An instant on, and off doesn't give any cleaner sufficient time to properly work. I see no benefit though, letting a rinse step sit for a prolonged period of time on a record.

A rinse water I usually apply, spread the best I can, and take off quickly. If I feel there might still be remnants of cleaners left behind, I simply repeat the rinse step again. Mark

http://www.audiointelligent.com/rcmmuseum.htm

Hopefully the moderators will let me post this link, which is an article I authored some time back. Hopefully this will save some bandwidth going into too much detail here.

My methods, and procedures are but one way. I trying thinking as logical, and keeping a professional frame of mind. As mentioned, a switch could've been utilized.

And while the particular fan I used may not be any longer available, a similar sized fan, with similar wattage consumption, and CFM rating should be no trouble finding.
Mark

Theo,
As far as I know, the two better VPI Machines use better, acrylic platters, and I believe they will fit onto the 16.5 without any modifications, that it is a simple swap.

Last I heard, price was about $50, and this probably includes shipping, and the cork mat already installed.

That was about the cost my custom made platter cost for materials-labor, which was an identical clone of the 16.5's platter

Even with acrylic platter on board my machine, I can rock the platter if I press down upon it. This is because the four rubber standoffs that "hang" the motor off the top mounting plate have some give, and "cush" to them.

Switching to alu, or nylon spacers, with the appropriate length, and size screw will definitely eliminate any give, but I am unsure at this point with such a change, if there will be a downside? Only one way to find out?

On all VPI RCM's (since they all use the same vacuum wand assembly), is an ability to fine tune the distance of drop of the vacuum wand upon the record's surface.

Harry himself stated that to properly adjust the vacuum wand's height, and force upon a record, place a record on the platter, tighten down. Then remove the large coil spring from the vacuum tower, loosen the allen set screw on the tower's collar, then adjust-slide the delrin collar on the vacuum tower, either up, or down, to accomplish having the vacuum wand itself "just touch" the record's surface. Then tighten the allen locking setscrew, replace the coil spring, and you are done.
Mark

The cork mat is already pre-cut with about a small 1-1/2" diameter circle out from the center spindle. Look close at the center of the mat, and you will see it is pre-cut for removal.

Some will make a small dot with a pencil on the periphery of the cut, so one can then reinstall the center piece again in its exact position.

Simply take a small exacto blade knife to lift this little piece out. It is not adhered to the platter, and this piece will still have its adhesive backing on it.

Once that pice is removed, you will see the three #6 Flathead Phillips Platter attachment screws.

As you can see in my one pic of the clear acrylic platter, that is how it looks under the platter. Four inner screws attach the Motor to the top mounting plate, and that is were the four rubber standoffs are. The outer four screws secures the Stainless Steel Motor Mounting Plate to the top of the deck.

VPI might be able to sell you a cooling fan, but im sure you could find a myriad of suitable fans, shrouds, and even filters if desired, through someplace like Allied Electronics, and the costs will no doubt be less.

Even Rat Shack sells a cheap fan same size as the one I used, and circular chrome wire shroud, the shroud they sell looks like the one on the VPI 17F RCM. Mark