turntable will not turn

Please excuse the necro-posting. This is for the next person who has this problem.

It seems like the internet is chock full of well meaning but ignorant folks. I had these same problems. Both the non-working turntable problem and being a know-it-all jackass giving useless advice. But this time I have good advice because it originally came from someone smarter than me.

I bought a used ProJect Debut III without a power supply. No sweat. I have a universal power supply. I just dialed in 15V. Nothing. I dialed in 16v. Nothing. I tested the transformer but the transformer was working just fine. What gives?!

The problem is some Pro-Ject Debut III came with a DC motor and some came with an AC motor. I don’t know what year they changed. The service rep at Pro-Ject wasn’t even aware of this variation. They’re super nice but kinda clueless. I nearly sold the damned turntable for parts but thankfully I have an electrical engineer friend. He can’t tell a joke worth a darn but he can explain the mysteries of electricity in words I understand.

The deal is, AC and DC are completely different animals. YOU CAN NOT MAKE AN AC/DC POWER SUPPLY TURN AN AC MOTOR!! IT MUST BE AC/AC (AC in AC out) You have to use an AC/AC transformer to power an AC motor. A transformer from another electrical device like a computer or PlayStation or whatever might not work. In fact 90% of the power supplies in North America are AC/DC. Little did I know I was attempting to use an AC/DC wall-wart to power an AC-motor. It just acted as though it was seized. It did not move. In essence, the way my Debut is wired, a DC current was trying to turn the motor in both directions at the same time. There never was anything wrong with the turntable, but there is something wrong with trying to give dog food to the cat. Unless you have a unique specimen It just won’t work.

Just as an extra annoyance the Debut III Carbon is often referred to as a DC. So googling this problem is impossible.

THE FIX:

It was a relatively inexpensive fix. I got a Harman Kardon (15VAC 1100mA) power supply made for speakers off the flea bay for about 15 bucks. I had to change the tip but once that was sorted, my turntable began working like a champ.

The way I understand it, any AC/AC power supply with the right volt and amp will work. According to the info I found, the ideal is 15VAC 800mA. When you search through your junk drawer look for 15-16 VAC and between 800-1200mA. If it has a line and a dotted line on the transformer (where it says what the ratings are) it will not work. That mark means AC in DC out. If it has a number followed by V (example 15V) it will probably not work. You’re looking for a number followed by VAC (Volts Alternating Current) (example 16 VAC). You can play a little fast and loose with the amps because an AC motor will only take what it needs but make sure it has at least 800 mA or it will run slow if at all.

Good luck! The Pro-Ject Debut III is a great turntable. I hope this works out and you enjoy the heck out of some vinyl.

how do you do this, I’d like to try and see if this will fix it.

Take your record platter off. Make sure the belt in on. If not, put it back on and then try it. If it is on, remove it and plug in the turntable. Make sure the motor is turning when you turn on the turntable. Move your tonearm that is the long arm goes on the record platter and carries the needle and check again. If it is not turning, then it could be your motor of your power supply. Make sure your power supply or wall wart that plugs into the outlet is putting out power. You may have to check it with a digital multi meter. If it is not putting out power then that you problem.

What do I do if the power supply checks out with a digital multi meter? How do I get it repaired here in Tucson, Az

I also got a piece of $@$* one. &&^&^$^ garbage quality control All I did was open it, set it up and plug it in and nothing. not a buzz or a hum or any movement lmao. 100% DOA. Checked the outlet too, its good. returning it.