Teddy Ruxpin Refurb Part 5 - Servo Investigation, Freeing Stuck Servos Electrically

[@bradjensen8231]

I like the servo unsticking board idea. I will likely put one in mine. These videos are very helpful to us 80s kids trying to relive out childhoods.

[@workshop-pw9qz]

I've added to the video description: ## UPDATE - Feb 20th 2016 ## The theory I put forward, in this video, as to what might cause stuck servos has now been shown to not be the cause at all. Yes its something else entirely. Suggest you don't copy the switch board modifications as they are unlikely to be helpful. See the forthcoming part 5B for the details. Most of the testing and experimentation in this video are still valid, so I see no reason to change and repost.

[@JonEKash75]

Love your explanation of why you are using the resistor for each servo. My 5 year old loves the video btw, but wants to see you put the board together (with three resistors and buttons). Even if it is a little carbon soot in the servos... ;) Maybe a reset button should have been designed like a "Self destruct button" that electrically cleaned the servos after every use. Lol

[@klaxcorenightcore5050]

Its been about a year since I messed with my grubby.. he worked when I got him but now his eyes quit working

[@MaggiePictures]

I have a teddy Ruxpin. I haven't tested it yet, but let's just say his eyes and mouth didn't work. Would it be OK to move it manually?

[@JeanaDylan83]

hey hey very good to see a upload from you :)

[@JeanaDylan83]

I just sort of fixed one of my warping aka sound skipping teddy ruxpins to night - My request is can you make a video of how to fix or stop the warping sound??? - and why does this happen???

[@workshop-pw9qz]

A warping sound? I'm not sure what you mean. Does the tape speed seem to waver, varying in pitch. Does this repeat every 0.6 seconds or so?

[@JeanaDylan83]

like some teddy ruxpins get over time this warping soung that its a fait warp warp warp threw out all the tape its usely commean in the 3rd gen teddy ruxpin bears. - And you think its the tape and it aint - I had this problem with my 3rd gen teddy ruxpin bear - But some how and some way i opened him up last night and can sprayed him out and stuff and now the warping sound is gone for now - I just hope it dont come back.

[@crazyrobotlady3391]

workshop1138 I think she’s describing a dented pinch roller sound. It does kind of sound like “werp, werp, werp” where as the other sound, which my Teddy does and I have just decided to deal with is a sort of... gargling sound in the recording? It sounds like all the characters are gargling with mouthwash. I think it has something to do with the tape mechanism although (knock on wood) it hasn’t tried to eat anything yet.Though your videos have got me itching to do some exploratory surgery I am totally blind with few tools or sighted help around if I get stuck so... Listereen it is for now. LOL!

[@snowman307]

Hey just caught your video.Have you ever taken the servo motor with the gears apart and put it back together?

[@1969Baddad]

What kind of grease do you use on the cassette player and on/in the servo motors please? Thank you for your videos!

[@workshop-pw9qz]

Sorry for late reply. On anything plastic or metal or where plastic spins on a metal rod, I tend to use white lithium grease as it mostly stays put and I hear it is not harmful to most plastics. Inside the servo motors, where the plastic gears are, I'd guess this would be OK too, provided it is a thin smearing and they are not all gummed up. On the commutator of the servo motor, where the brushes make contact, I believe this is a special mildly conductive spark quenching grease made by the motor manufacturers (mabuchi). Inside some of the cheap mabuchi motors from hong kong or china off ebay (mabuchi name imprinted in the white plastic) would be a good place to get that from if needed.

[@ronaldhenson3379]

Hi I did the ultimate challenge I finally fixed my original first generation teddy ruxpin I moved his eyes and mouth up and down gently and he works excellent

[@TeakWoodGallows]

I am have a problem with my Teddy's lower jaw servo where it doesn't ever stop moving back and forth almost like it's having a seizure. Any tips you might have for this problem would be greatly appreciated ! Thank you so much for posting these amazing and comprehensive videos !

[@workshop-pw9qz]

I've not seen this happen before. I can only make a guess. If there was a dirty patch somewhere on the wipers travel, It could lose connection whenever it went there. This would make the servo aim for one end (like when I removed the wire), moving it off the trouble spot, which would reconnect it and the cycle could continue. I'd clean inside the compartment where the variable resistor is (see video 2- sorry my hands are in the way for much of that), particularly check where the two metal prongs make contact. Also check the 3 wires. If one is really frayed, it could make/break contact as the servo body moves and will need re-soldering.

[@TeakWoodGallows]

Thanks so much for your speedy response ! I will take another look and try the tips you gave ! Thanks again !!!

[@workshop-pw9qz]

I just posted a new 5 minute video in which I fix a servo, which can't sit still, by cleaning it.

[@StephenReaTSPN]

What is the voltage of these servo motors?

[@briangiller5253]

3VDC I believe.

[@Retro80sMan1]

I wish I had my own Teddy Ruxpin