Heljan 120’ turntable kit directions

[Cajonpassfan]

It seems I acquired an old Heljan 120’ turntable kit someone started and didn’t  finish. I *think* it’s mostly complete, except for the bridge which I don’t need anyway (if I were to use the pit, I’d need to scratchbuild a truss bridge per my prototype). Of course, there no instructions. Would any of you fine gentlemen that have them mind posting the instructions? All I really need is a diagram of what goes where, as it looks to me like I’m missing some parts and have some “extras”. (Reminds me of the time I was about five years old and I disassembled my parents’ alarm clock...I did put it back together and had “extra” parts left

I do own the Walthers newer DCC friendly turntable, but it’s kind of too long for my San Bernardino prototype. The old Heljan is just about perfect, size wise... so if this works out, I’ll have the Walthers up for sale.

Help appreciated.
Otto K.

[wm3798]

I've got the document scanned to a PDF for you.  To respect the copyright of the owner, I'll be happy to send a copy of the document via a back channel. 
PM me a good email address and I'll zap it right along.
Lee

[Cajonpassfan]

Done!
Thanks much, Lee,
OttO

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, now that I have the directions, thanks to Lee,  it turns out I do have “extra” parts...see pic below. The photo shows the pit and disks installed per instructions. The four circular items next to it aren’t mentioned in the instructions or diagram. I suspect they are a part of a motorizing kit that may have been available separately?
So that brings me to the next question: does anyone here have those instructions or diagram?
Thanks again,
Otto K.

[wm3798]

Actually the motorizing kit I have "replaces" all that stuff.  It's a big motor with a drive shaft out the top that gets fitted right to the bridge.
I have a spare motor, actually.
Can't do it right now (supper's ready) but I'll try to pull the bits out and see if I can sort it out for you.
I can also shoot the installed one that's on my roundhouse module.
I can't say it runs flawlessly, but it's better than a stick in the eye, or $300 for the damn new Walther's rig.
Lee

[Jim Costello]

 Otto,  I am not sure now as it's been many years, but I think the loose parts you have make up the pully for the hand operated control. The second piece from the left is part of the hand
control and a string or cord was used between the hand piece and the table to operate.  Turn table control was very uncontrollable.

I too would use the Hejan/Cornerstone turntable if a quality drive system could be found, although I believe the tolerances between the pit walls and the table bridge was not
entirely accurate, the bridge needs to be fitted very accurately.

Jim
NHRHTA  #L082

[Mark5]

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Otto,  I am not sure now as it's been many years, but I think the loose parts you have make up the pully for the hand operated control. The second piece from the left is part of the hand
control and a string or cord was used between the hand piece and the table to operate.  Turn table control was very uncontrollable.

I have one of these turntables in a box at home, but I think Jim is on target here about the pullies:

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[wm3798]

I've got a Hankscraft 1 rpm motor, which is the same one mounted to the turntable I have on the roundhouse module.



It runs on 12v DC, so you just need a DPDT with center off to run it in both directions.  A 9v power source slows it down nicely, but the low torque might make overcoming friction a bit dicey.

I'll have to clean up the module so I can tip it up to show you the installation.  I know I took photos of it, but I'm not able to put my hands on them just now...

Lee

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks, Lee, interesting. So you have the motor shaft connected directly to the TT bridge, interesting.
One rpm... anyone know the speed at which a real 120’ turntable turns?
Mark, Jim, thanks for your input also. If I do go this route, I’d need to build a new bridge per my prototype. The 120’ is perfect!
If anyone here has motorized this turntable successfully, I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks guys,
Otto

[Mark5]

My original plan for the Heljan 120' was to put the Atlas turntable under it to provide indexing, but that's on hold until I get a new house. 

[wm3798]

I pulled out the module to look at the installation.  It is pretty much improvised from the looks of it.


A sheet metal bracket was fabbed by the prior owner, and then shimmed to the bottom of the pit.  There are foam pads between the bracket and the pit, I assume for sound dampening, which works quite well. (It's quieter than my old Walthers electronic Bridge by a long shot!)

The bracket is then folded again to secure it to the plywood deck.

The only shortcoming of the design I can see is the builder abandoned the contact rings, and instead has dropped wires that, while fairly long, eventually get wrapped around the axle if the table rotates in one direction for too many turns.

I can't see how the shaft connects to the axis of the bridge, but inspecting the spare motor I have reveals that the drive shift has a flat spot on one side, so a simple tube and set screw should do the trick.
I hope this is useful.
Lee

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks, Lee. Yes this is very helpful, and it seems very doable. Also gives me some other ideas...
But if I’m going to tackle this project, maybe I need to think about building the open truss bridge first.
Than you all for your feedback and help.
Otto

[wm3798]

I've started dismemberment mine to try to overcome some of the original builder's design flaws.
Follow along on my HiRail engineering report...

Lee