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VPI Scout - slow speed , help ?

Hi

I've recently purchased a KAB speed strobe which has indicated that my Scout is running very slow (notches moving counter clockwise); over 100 notches in 60 seconds.

I have the newer black belt with unknown time on it; I've cleaned the belt, motor grooves and platter grooves. I get power from a dedicated 15amp plug, through an Audience AR-6 conditioner and stock power cord to the motor. I've tried using different notches on the upgraded 300 rpm motor pulley, with little effect.

I suppose the cheapest experiment is to buy a new belt, and lube the spindle bearing (for which I'll have to purchase oil) and see if that changes things. Short of buying the VPI SDS, are there any other actions which may help here for little money? Perhaps a used Variac would essentially do what the SDS does?

Your constructive feedback is appreciated.

Regards,

Bryn
bshapperd
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
According to Mike at VPI- The way to "freshen" a VPI belt is to toss it into boiling water for 15 seconds, then wipe it w/alcohol, then put it in a baggie w/some baby powder and shake it up. Remove, shake off excess powder, volia.
bshapperd OP
84 posts
 
I'll try boiling the belt; I'm sure to get raised eyebrows from my wife! I'll also try installing the original 600rpm motor and re-measure the speed.

For skeptics of the KAB strobe disc, the supplied VPI strobe measures the same.

B
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Your orignally 100 notches in 60 seconds is a 3% error, I if read my KAB instructions correctly. That is huge.

How fast is it running?

I am surprised that using the different steps on the pulley have no effect. That is normally how you adjust the speed. I have a Scout with the 300 rpm motor. It is on speed at the top notch, and noticible fast at the bottom notch.

There are differnt pulleys for different platters. Do you know that you have the correct one? I remember looking at a used 300 rpm motor, but it had the wrong pulley. So, I bought a new one with the correct pulley. Just a thought.
bshapperd OP
84 posts
 
Ok, for those of you following this thread: I've just switched out the 300rpm motor for the original 600 rpm model, and the speed is almost perfect! There must be some issue with the capacitor (as someone previously mentioned), or perhaps the pulley, or motor itself.

I'll contact VPI for further diagnoses.

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

Regards,

Bryn
markd51
763 posts
 
At least for now, you are up, and running.

Pretty much all of us, have been drawing straws as to what your issues were, and I guess all we could do is make suggestions. When problems such as these arise, one must hold every component of the drive system suspect. And then methodically check each.

While I'm not sure of this, because I have no experience with the 300rpm motors VPI uses, so I am not sure if the Motor Run Capacitor is typically the same value for either 600rpm, or 300rpm Motor?

Thos are perhaps questions others here can answer, or VPI?

There were a few unknowns about your situation, whether the Table was bought like this, or did you make the 300rpm Motor swap recently yourself, or? I'm getting the impression you may have bought the 300rpm Motor used?

That there was either A., a problem with the Motor itself, and you bought a bad one? Or B, that this Motor requires a different Run Capacitor, which was typically included in the purchase when gotten new from VPIm but you didn;t get included with the purchase? Mark
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