Beogram CD 50 – How to Select Proper Setting For ‘Master Voltage Switch’?

[vtlynch]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Beogram CD 50 in unknown condition. Unlike the other pieces of my Beogram 5500 series, this one has a European plug and the back says “220v 50-60hz 28w.” This is a Type 5111.

I opened the machine and noticed a “Main Voltage Switch” with options for OFF, 120v, 127v, 220v, 240v. This switch turns if you stick a small flathead driver into the slot.

The Service Manual describes this switch, but does not say how to set it. There are no marking on the switch itself indicating ‘position.’

I am in the USA – how do I make sure this switch is properly set to the 120v setting (presumably the correct one for the USA)?

(Picture of switch attached)

[Guy]

Your image didn’t upload – try saving it as a jpg first.

(And welcome to the Forum!)

[vtlynch]

Thank you for the welcome. Here is a JPEG.

 

 

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[Mark-sf]

You need to use the 120v position AND need to ensure that the fuse in 500mA. If you are unsure of switch end positioning, use an ohm meter between the two AC pins and the 120v one will have about half the resistance of the 240v one.

[vtlynch]

Thank you. I am a novice with electronics and did not realize you could intuit the proper setting that way by testing the resistance at the AC pins.

The correct positioning is the setting pointing directly UPWARD (in my photo it is shown set to 120v). I verified this by comparing the resistance for 120/220 as you mentioned, and verifying that when OFF is pointing up, the multimeter gives no reading.

I also checked the fuses and they were all intact and the machine now turns on.

Time to move on to diagnosing the CD tray with the assistance of this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9akBE5MdVi4).

[vtlynch]

Progress update: ‘Disc holder, Lower’ (9132) is dislodged.

The CD drive ‘Sub-chassis’ (Service Manual Part 9156) has two (permanently attached?) pins for seating the ‘Disc holder, lower’ (9132). The ‘Disc holder, lower’ is also held by the ‘Lift Arm’ (9130).

My ‘Disc holder, Lower’ is dislodged from the right Lift Arm bracket. As a result, the entire machine is essentially jammed up.

My plan of action is to remove the two screws holding in the Lift Arm. The service manual diagram shows the entire Lift Arm should come free, and Im assuming I will be able to reposition it back into place. I did some searching but was not able to find a thread/documentation of this exact problem?

I have attached photos showing my drive and the service manual diagram of the corresponding part.

I plan on doing this tomorrow and will check back here if anyone posts advice if this is the right/wrong course of action.

____

In addition, and as expected in the year 2024, I can see the rubber belt drive for the tray has essentially melted. I found this page that says a square 44mm x 1.2mm belt drive works. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a cheap and fast way to get one in the USA. Im going to try to a generic cheap package from Amazon and hope its close enough. Might place an order with Beoparts later, just dont want to wait 2 weeks at the moment.

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[Guy]

Great work – I would stick with Beoparts to make sure that you get a belt that works!

Have you seen this site?  It may be useful:  https://beolover.blogspot.com/2021/06/beogram-cd50-typical-restoration-steps.html

[vtlynch]

I was able to complete the repairs today. In addition to the above issues, I noticed the entire disc tray was off its track, dislodged from the track guide (9147 – Guide, lefthand – front).

I proceeded as planned, removing the main cam wheel and disc arm to reseat the entire mechanism.

After reassembly and testing, everything else seems fine.

Some more notes for anyone else looking to refurbish a unit:

1. The original belt will be so goopy and melted at this point that removing it cleanly from either the Pulley (9128) or Load Motor (91M301) is only possible by *removing* both.

   I had not taken out any of the PCBs so I did not want to start that just to get to the Load Motor. I simply scraped out as much of the melted belt as possible (using angled needle point tweezers). Then I simply put on the generic replacement belt. Im not sure what impact the new rubber rubbing against the old goop will have long term.

2. I used a generic ~42mm x 0.9mm belt from Amazon as a replacement for the disc drive. I tested at least a dozen open-close-play cycles and it seems to work. Though its definitely not as smooth moving or sounding as I imagine it could be. However, looking at how this entire mechanism works, I see no reason this belt wont be ‘good enough’ for my use. Its also possible the original belt goop I left on the motor pulley is causing this.
3. If you have to remove Part 9151 (Back left CD assembly holder) you will not be able to put it back in without removing the Arm (9219).

I closed the unit back up with two lazy mistakes – I was not able to get the E-ring (retention ring) back onto the  Pulley (9128). Given the overall overbuilt design, Im hoping it will be fine without it. I also didnt reattach the arm mentioned above (9151).

Overall, these repairs took quite a while as I was totally unfamiliar with vintage stereos before this. Id say about 6 hours total including research.

Now this CD50 will join the rest of a repaired Beosystem 5500. Thank you for the assistance!

[Author]

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