Anyone got a schematic for a GE RC-1690A?

[John-Del]

GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.

Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).

This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.

This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.

Any help or links appreciated.

John
Wolcott, CT

[Sofa Slug]

Post by John-Del
GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.
Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).
This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.
This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.
Any help or links appreciated.
John
Wolcott, CT

<https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_rc1690arc_1690.html>

<http://techpreservation.com/schematics/General_Electric.htm>

[John-Del]

Post by Sofa Slug

Post by John-Del
GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.
Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).
This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.
This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.
Any help or links appreciated.
John
Wolcott, CT

<https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_rc1690arc_1690.html>
<http://techpreservation.com/schematics/General_Electric.htm>

Thanks SS, neither has the radio chassis. I probably won't need it but it'd be nice to have when I rip into this next week.

John
Wolcott, CT

[Sofa Slug]

Post by John-Del

Post by Sofa Slug

Post by John-Del
GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.
Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).
This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.
This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.
Any help or links appreciated.
John
Wolcott, CT

<https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_rc1690arc_1690.html>
<http://techpreservation.com/schematics/General_Electric.htm>

Thanks SS, neither has the radio chassis. I probably won't need it but it'd be nice to have when I rip into this next week.
John
Wolcott, CT

Your tuner chassis is probably a GE TU-20H. A schematic for the TU-20C/D
is on page #56 in this manual ...hopefully it is similar. Scroll down
the pages immediately following that for more clues (your amp is there
also):
<http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Rider/BEITMAN-SUPREME/Beitman-1963.pdf>

Or you could just BUY the Sams folder ...it's only $7! :)
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-GENERAL-ELECTRIC-RC1680A-PHONO-RADIO-SERVICE-MANUAL-PHOTOFACT-many-more-/352148412820>

[John-Del]

Post by Sofa Slug

Post by John-Del

Post by Sofa Slug

Post by John-Del
GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.
Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).
This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.
This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.
Any help or links appreciated.
John
Wolcott, CT

<https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_rc1690arc_1690.html>
<http://techpreservation.com/schematics/General_Electric.htm>

Thanks SS, neither has the radio chassis. I probably won't need it but it'd be nice to have when I rip into this next week.
John
Wolcott, CT

Your tuner chassis is probably a GE TU-20H. A schematic for the TU-20C/D
is on page #56 in this manual ...hopefully it is similar. Scroll down
the pages immediately following that for more clues (your amp is there
<http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Rider/BEITMAN-SUPREME/Beitman-1963.pdf>
Or you could just BUY the Sams folder ...it's only $7! :)
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-GENERAL-ELECTRIC-RC1680A-PHONO-RADIO-SERVICE-MANUAL-PHOTOFACT-many-more-/352148412820>

Thanks again SS. I've bought enough Sams over the years that I'm not buying anymore. Besides, I'm pretty sure a buddy has that folder. And again, I don't *really* need it.

Curiosity got the better of me so I got to the shop early this morning to triage the beast. Mostly it's got a bad switch. This has two dpst switches mounted next to each other with a common actuator. One section is open so the radio chassis doesn't power up. I doubt the switches will be easily sourceable so I think my plan is to install a relay and a lever switch which will activate with the raising of the top (with the customer's consent). Fortunately, there's a tiny filament transformer which powers the lid light (always has power) so I can use that to run my relay coil.

The turntable arm had a definite pull back towards home, far too much for the needle to track, and I traced that to the vacuum hose that runs from the vacuum pump (factory installed) under the table, up through the tone arm and ending at the tip. A missing brush completes the clean on the fly feature. The hose which was far suppler when new is now quite stiff and now acting like a return spring. I removed the hose and the arm tracks without pull in either direction. The tone arm has an adjustable spring perch for tracking weight so I can compensate for the missing hose.

In addition to the built in record vacuum, this unit also features a reverb unit. It's small and I don't see a spring tank anywhere, unless it's completely self contained.

I'll dig deeper after I get an estimate approval.

Thanks again.

John
Wolcott, CT

[John-Del]

Post by John-Del
GE tube AM/FM mpx phono console from the 60s.
Also identical to models RC1691A 1692A 1694A (cabinet finish difference).
This one is a pip. It has a factory installed vacuum pump with a flexible hose that runs right through the bottom of the changer and into the tonearm. It appears there was some sort of a brush (now missing) and, together with the pump, was an on-the-fly record cleaner.
This was also in Sams 630, one of only a hundred I don't have from Sams 1 through about 1000.
Any help or links appreciated.
John
Wolcott, CT

Update: it's all set electrically and mechanically. The last issue is that it's missing the needle from the cartridge, but giving it a finger scratch test across the rubber suspension reveals a low level response (tons of volume at the electrical connections).

The cartridge says N41NS on it which I think is an Astatic 17DA. There's one on ebay for a hundred bucks which is more than I can spend to come in at quote.

There's plenty of room in the tone arm so I'm wondering if anyone knows of a currently produced stereo cartridge putting out about a half a volt that's more reasonable.

I saw this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PFANSTIEHL-P-132D-CERAMIC-STEREO-CARTRIDGE-ROCK-OLA-AMI-WURLITZER-NEW-IN-BOX/282891155451?hash=item41dda077fb:g:Hw0AAOxyzxJR7N0V

Thoughts?

John
Wolcott, CT

[Peter Wieck]

Post by John-Del
I saw this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PFANSTIEHL-P-132D-CERAMIC-STEREO-CARTRIDGE-ROCK-OLA-AMI-WURLITZER-NEW-IN-BOX/282891155451?hash=item41dda077fb:g:Hw0AAOxyzxJR7N0V
Thoughts?

Bullet-proof device, that one. If it fits, or can be made to fit, go for it. Keep in mind that this unit will not be used for/on audiophile vinyl. Or should not be in any case. This is not a case of cheaping-out, but of using an appropriate cartridge able to tolerate rough conditions and still come through in real-world use.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[John-Del]

Post by Peter Wieck

Post by John-Del
I saw this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PFANSTIEHL-P-132D-CERAMIC-STEREO-CARTRIDGE-ROCK-OLA-AMI-WURLITZER-NEW-IN-BOX/282891155451?hash=item41dda077fb:g:Hw0AAOxyzxJR7N0V
Thoughts?

Bullet-proof device, that one. If it fits, or can be made to fit, go for it. Keep in mind that this unit will not be used for/on audiophile vinyl. Or should not be in any case. This is not a case of cheaping-out, but of using an appropriate cartridge able to tolerate rough conditions and still come through in real-world use.
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

Thanks Peter, based on your input, that's the one I'm going to order (actually, after I check my buried stock to see if I don't actually have one!).

There's plenty of room in the tone arm for any cartridge: this changer featured a vacuum cleaner in the tone arm. Yep, it has a factory installed vacuum pump in the base of the cabinet and a flexible hose that runs up through the bottom of the changer into the tone arm where it was connected to a brush head (now missing). I had to remove the hose because it stiffened causing the tone arm to spring back to home.

I don't know what they'll play on this but I'll balance the arm for the lightest gram weight it will track at and call it done.

John
Wolcott, CT