VPI HW-16.5 Owners manual

H-16.5

Record Cleaning Machine

Setup and Instruction Manual

VPI INDUSTRIES, INC., 77 CLIFFWOOD AVE., #3B, CLIFFWOOD, NJ 07721

PHONE: [phone], FAX: [phone]

http://www.vpiindustries.com

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Table of Contents

Important: Read before proceeding! .............................................................. 3

Safety Instructions ...................................................................................... 3

Introduction ............................................................................................... 4

In This Package ........................................................................................ 4

Technical Specifications................................................................................ 5

Fuses ...................................................................................................... 5

Vacuum Motor .......................................................................................... 5

Turntable Motor ........................................................................................ 5

Operating the HW-16.5 ................................................................................ 6

Setting Up the HW-16.5 ............................................................................. 6

Using the HW-16.5.................................................................................... 6

Care and Maintenance of the HW-16.5 ........................................................... 8

Draining the HW-16.5 ................................................................................ 8

Cleaning the HW-16.5................................................................................ 8

Cleaning the Vacuum Pickup Tube ............................................................... 8

Cleaning the Brush .................................................................................... 8

Replacing the Vacuum Pickup Tube.............................................................. 8

Tips for Using the HW-16.5........................................................................... 9

VPI Industries, Inc. Limited Warranty........................................................... 10

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Important: Read before proceeding!

 Read and follow the safety instructions below.

 Save all packing materials. The HW-16.5 should only be moved or shipped in its

original packaging to reduce the risk of damage in transit.

 Do not touch the velvet surfaces, skin oil will contaminate the velvet and affect

the performance of the HW-16.5.

 To reduce noise from the HW-16.5, place it on a firm, stable surface.

Safety Instructions

Follow the instructions below to reduce risk
of electrical hazard.

1. Do not operate the HW-16.5 near an open flame, burning cigarette, pipe, cigar, etc.

2. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet of the HW-16.5.

3. If the power cord provided with the HW-16.5 does not reach an outlet, use a
heavy-duty, grounded extension cord.

4. To avoid electrical shock, always plug the HW-16.5 into a grounded outlet.

5. Do not expose the HW-16.5 to rain or excessive moisture.

Follow the instructions below to avoid damage
to the HW-16.5.

1. Do not leave the HW-16.5 unit running unattended.

2. Use the HW-16.5 in a well-ventilated area.

3. Place the HW-16.5 on a firm surface to allow proper ventilation to occur.

4. If the turntable stops due to overheating, turn the TURNTABLE and VACUUM switches
off. Allow the HW-16.5 to cool down for 45 minutes before resuming operation.

5. Keep the white hose clamp shut when cleaning records.

6. Unlike VPI Record Cleaning Machine Fluid, some third-party cleaning fluids are
flammable. Damage to the HW-16.5 caused by third-party cleaning fluids will void the
warranty.

7. To avoid unnecessary wear on the vacuum motor, do not turn on the VACUUM switch
unless the TURNTABLE switch is already on.

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Introduction

The HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine from VPI Industries, Inc. microscopically cleans all
vinyl analog records. A special adapter and Vacuum Pickup Tube are available for cleaning
seven-inch 45 RPM records and ten-inch 78 RPM records.

NOTE: Older 78 RPM shellac records can be cleaned using a
special cleaning fluid available from VPI. The cleaning fluid
provided with the HW-16.5 should not be used on shellac
records.

Your new HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine has been carefully designed and manufactured.
To ensure years of trouble-free performance, please read and follow the instructions in this
manual.

In This Package

 The HW-16.5 unit.

 Power cord.

 Bottle of VPI Record Cleaning Machine Fluid.

 Cleaning brush.

 This manual.

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Technical Specifications

Fuses

 10 amps, 22 by 5 millimeters (115 volt unit).

 6.3 amps, 22 by 5 millimeters (230 volt unit).

Vacuum Motor

 Permanently lubricated ball/sleeve bearings.

 Class A insulation.

 Intermittent duty.

 Maximum amps:

o 5.7 (115 volt unit).

o 3.3 (230 volt unit).

 CFM:

o 95.0 (115 volt unit).

o 99.0 (230 volt unit).

Turntable Motor

 Grease-filled.

 Porous bronze bearings.

 RPM:

o 18 (115 volt unit).

o 16 (230 volt unit).

 166:1 gear ratio.

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Operating the HW-16.5

Setting Up the HW-16.5

When using the HW-16.5 for the first time, we recommend that you use a
dirty, dispensable record.

1. Place the HW-16.5 on a firm, stable surface, making sure the drain hose
is not caught under the unit and the clamp on the hose is closed.

Do not remove the protective covering on the cover until the unit has
been run successfully.

2. Connect the power cord to the back of the unit and plug it into a
grounded outlet that provides the necessary voltage.

3. Open the cover.

4. Turn on the TURNTABLE switch. There will be noise from the high torque,
100:1 gear motor.

5. Turn on the VACUUM switch. There will be noise from the 19,000-RPM
fan.

6. Turn off the VACUUM switch, then turn off the TURNTABLE switch.

Using the HW-16.5

Record cleaning must always be done in the following order.

1. If the Vacuum Pickup Tube is pointing toward the spindle, rotate it until it
is clear of the turntable and pointing toward the back of the HW-16.5.

2. Remove the clamp, place the record on the turntable, and replace the
clamp. Tighten the clamp enough to hold the record firmly, but not so
much that the edge of the record curves upward.

NOTE: The record clamp should turn smoothly on
the spindle and should not be forced. If it does not
tighten smoothly, unscrew it and replace it. Forcing
the record clamp could damage it.

3. Turn on the TURNTABLE switch. With one hand, squirt cleaning fluid onto
the grooved area of the record while pressing the brush against the
grooved area with your other hand. Wait until the bristles of the brush

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are wet before pressing hard against the record. The pressure should be
enough to distribute the fluid, but not enough to bend the bristles
significantly.

Avoid getting cleaning fluid on the record label. Use enough fluid to
create a continuous film over the entire grooved surface. As you gain
experience using the HW-16.5, determining the right amount of fluid will
become easy.

4. Remove the brush when the grooved area is completely covered with
fluid.

5. Rotate the Vacuum Pickup Tube counterclockwise over the record so that
it is pointing almost toward the record spindle.

6. Turn on the VACUUM switch. The Vacuum Pickup Tube will lower and lock
into position pointing toward the spindle.

7. After the record has completed two revolutions, turn off the VACUUM
switch. When the Vacuum Pickup Tube lifts off the record, rotate it until it
is pointing toward the back of the unit.

Two revolutions are usually sufficient to remove all of the cleaning fluid
and leave the record completely dry. If some fluid remains on the record,
turn on the VACUUM switch for two more revolutions.

The drying speed depends on your location due to differences in line
voltage.

NOTE: Excessive vacuuming will lead to a build-up
of static electricity, which will attract more dirt to
the newly cleaned record.

8. Turn off the TURNTABLE switch.

NOTE: To avoid damaging the HW-16.5 and your
records, always turn off the VACUUM switch before
turning off the TURNTABLE switch.

9. Unscrew the record clamp, carefully remove the record, and repeat the
procedure on the other side of the record.

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Care and Maintenance of the HW-16.5

Draining the HW-16.5

The used cleaning fluid should be emptied from the HW-16.5 after every 6
records (or 12 record sides) are cleaned.

1. To drain the used fluid, place a small container at the end of the hose.
Release the clamp on the hose and tip the HW-16.5 back approximately
10 degrees.

2. Return the HW-16.5 to its original position and close the clamp on the
hose. Dispose of the used fluid.

Cleaning the HW-16.5

Periodically wipe the cork mat and the inside of the cabinet with a slightly
damp sponge. To remove any debris from around the turntable, use a
vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush.

Cleaning the Vacuum Pickup Tube

After every record cleaning session, clean the Vacuum Pickup Tube with a
clean, lint-free, slightly damp sponge.

Cleaning the Brush

After every record cleaning session, wash the brush under warm running water.

Replacing the Vacuum Pickup Tube

If the velvet covering is worn or damaged, it must be replaced to avoid
damaging your records. VPI recommends that you replace the Vacuum
Pickup Tube after every 200 records (or 400 sides). Contact VPI to order a
new Vacuum Pickup Tube.

1. To remove the old Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly, lift it straight up.
Leave the spring in place.

2. Slightly twist the clear tube to remove it from the rest of the assembly.

3. Insert the new clear tube into the assembly with the velvet surfaces
facing down and with the end of the slot slightly to the back of the HW-

16.5.

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4. Make sure that the space between the two velvet surfaces faces slightly
backward. If the space faces directly down, the vacuuming will not work
properly. Rotate the tube until it is in the correct position.

5. Put the Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly back in place.

6. Clean a record following the procedures in Using the HW-16.5 on page 6.
If the end of the Vacuum Pickup Tube closest to the record spindle does
not touch the record, remove

firmly and gently push down on the end of the Vacuum Pickup Tube to put it into proper
alignment.

the assembly from the unit. Hold the black housing

7. Replace the assembly and resume cleaning to make sure the Vacuum
Pickup Tube contacts the record fully.

NOTE: Do not change the setting of the black collar
on the Vacuum Pickup Tube. It has been set for
proper spring tension and lift height.

Tips for Using the HW-16.5

 The HW-16.5 is not a dry-cleaning machine. To avoid scratching a record

and creating a build-up of static electricity, do not run the unit without
liquid on the record.

 When cleaning heavily soiled records, turn the TURNTABLE switch on and

hold a damp sponge against the record for several seconds, then clean
the record following the instructions. This will extend the life of the
Vacuum Pickup Tube.

 For cleaning shellac records, use a different Vacuum Pickup Tube and

brush from the ones used to clean vinyl records. Many shellac records
were made with carbide abrasive materials to shape the steel needles
used to play the records. This abrasive can be picked up on the velvet
surfaces and the brush bristles; if the same Vacuum Pickup Tube and
brush are used on vinyl records, damage can occur.

Be sure to mark the end of the Vacuum Pickup Tube and the handle of
the brush that you use for shellac records to avoid confusing them.

 Drying time will vary based on line voltage conditions.

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VPI Industries, Inc. Limited Warranty

VPI Industries, Inc. (VPI) warrants this unit against defects in materials and/or
workmanship for 90 days from the date of purchase by the original retail purchaser.
VPI’s sole obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at
VPI’s option, of any part(s) found to be defective.

VPI’s obligation to repair or replace defective parts is the purchaser’s sole and
exclusive remedy, and VPI shall not be liable for any direct or indirect injury and/or
property damage arising out of the use of the product or defect in or failure of the
product.

This warranty does not extend to any unit whose serial number has been defaced or
altered, or to any product which VPI determines contains a defect or malfunction
due to incorrect installation, modification, misuse or servicing by the purchaser, or
service technician not authorized by VPI to perform such service. It does not cover
trivial or cosmetic defects that do not impair the unit’s normal function.

VPI reserves the right to make changes in this product without assuming any
obligation to install such change in any product previously manufactured.

This warranty to repair or replace defective parts is in lieu of all other express or
implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. There are
no warranties that extend beyond the description herein.

Some states do not allow exclusion of implied warranties or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the above exclusion or limitations may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.

VPI INDUSTRIES, INC., 77 CLIFFWOOD AVE., #3B, CLIFFWOOD, NJ 07721

PHONE: [phone], FAX: [phone]

http://www.vpiindustries.com

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