Blog - Disabling auto-stop on AT-PL30 turntable
Disabling auto-stop on AT-PL30 turntable
I've been using a cheap audio-technica AT-PL30 "Stereo Full Automatic Turntable System" 
for a few years, and it has always annoyed me that it auto-stops when the arm has reached the center. That's a feature that may be useful in normal circumstances, but being made for 12" and 7" regular records, it makes it impossible to listen to small 5" records and some sonosheets. So far I had run into the problem with Cornelius' "I Love Love / I Hate Hate" 5", some Keroyon sonosheets, and tonight with the bonus 5" that comes with capsule's latest album "FRUITS CLiPPER".
So I decided that was enough, and checked what I could do about it. I removed the table to expose the mechanics, and it took me a minute to find the culprit: a large dented wheel that handles the "Start" and "Cut" buttons and the auto-stop "feature". Since I never used those two buttons (I just lift the arm and put it on the record), I decided to remove it and to write this quick how-to.
Advantage: Gets rid of auto-stop feature
Side-effects: "Start" and "Cut" buttons won't work anymore (Beware, in fact, the "Start" button will still cause the turntable to spin... indefinitely! Might be a good idea to get rid of that one too.)
1. Removing the table
To remove the table, remove the mat and align the hole with the thing that makes the strap spin, and pull up the strap. Then lift the table by putting fingers in both holes.
2. Finding the culprit
Once the table is removed, we can see the mechanics. That large white dented wheel is the culprit that causes auto-stop (and also makes the "Start" and "Cut" buttons work).
3. Removing the dented wheel
Simply remove its central screw and pull up. The dented wheel being removed, the "Start" and "Cut" buttons as well as the auto-stop functions do not work anymore. (Beware, pushing the "Start" button will cause the turntable to spin indefinitely.)
Success! I can now listen to 5" records!
If you ever decide to put the wheel back, align the wheel's metal part with the table's central pin and push the wheel down until it falls into place, and put back screw.
Update: And here's a 8-ban player from which just the arm stand was removed to make room for the 5" record!
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 00:25 | Tweet
|
Trackback
Comments RSS
I'm not interested in turntables but I like these kinds of posts. I like looking at the guts of any gadget. Can you take apart your new TV for us next? :D
Posted by Roy on May 10, 2006 at 15:01
I thought I could count on you for ripping apart your Bravia and teaching us a tweak or two. :)
Posted by Patrick on May 10, 2006 at 15:04
I would do it but I don't have a philips screwdriver.
Posted by Roy on May 10, 2006 at 16:01
I found another great example of someone going a bit out of their way to listen to that capsule record! This time it's a 8-ban player (http://www.chipple.net/mt/2004/03/11_000585.php) from which just the arm stand was removed to make room for the 5" record!
http://snoco.blog65.fc2.com/blog-entry-11.html
Posted by Patrick on May 11, 2006 at 09:52
You should share this here: http://www.instructables.com/
:)
Posted by Erik on May 16, 2006 at 02:54
Interesting site, didn't know about it! :)
I'm not interested to register just to post this though.
Posted by Patrick on May 16, 2006 at 14:32