PTP5 Assembly Guide

The PTP5 is an alternative topplate for Heavy Platter Lenco record players.
What it does:
• Better DE-coupling of the motor from the bearing and the arm.
• Create a very tight coupling between plate and plinth.
• Get the best coupling between bearing and arm.
• Improved stiffness due to its greater thickness.
• Making a plinth is much easier because it is flat.

The PTP5 is a minimalist version of the topplate, primarily designed for use in combination with an
external motor controller.
It will work perfectly well without a motor controller but the more complete PTP4 may be a more
convenient choice in that case.

To be able to complete your PTP based record player you need

• The PTP5 kit
• A Heavy Platter Lenco, such as the L70, L75, L77 or L78
• A plinth.

The PTP5 kit consists of:

• 1 Topplate
• 1 Motor Island
• 3 Motor Mounts
• 1 Speed Slider
• 2 Speed Stops
• 4 M5 Bolts
• 1 M6 Steel Washer
You need the following parts from a heavy platter Lenco:
• The motor
• The motor springs and the four M4 nuts used to secure them
• The bearing including the three M4 mounting bolts
• The platter
• The idler arm assembly including the idler arm spindle and the tension spring post.

The plinth is the only part you need to make yourself.

Plinths can be made from many materials. Known to work well are birch ply or slate, but there is no
best material, follow your own instincts and preferences. Many examples can be found on the Lenco
Heaven website (www.lencoheaven.net).

A 1:1 template for the necessary cut outs is available as a PDF upon request at
reinderspeter@hotmail.com.
Step 1

The Motor Island

The first thing to do is to place the three motor mounts.

It is very important that these are tightened well. No opening should be visible between them and the
plate.

You can stick a small screwdriver or Allen key through the small hole to apply the necessary force.
Place the motor.
This should be done in the same way as on the original Lenco, using the springs and nuts from the
donor Lenco.

(picture shows ptp4)

Place the Tension Spring Post.

Screw it into the small threaded hole on top of the motor island.

(picture shows ptp4)

Step 2

The Topplate

Screw the Speed Slider to the underside of Topplate using two M5 bolts.

View from below

Screw the Idler Arm Spindle you saved from your Lenco into the small hole in the middle of the Speed
Slider.

Mount the two Speed Stops using the last two M5 bolts although if you use a motor controller these
are not strictly necessary.
Install the bearing using the three M4 bolts saved from your Lenco.

Please Note:
Because the PTP5 is thicker than the original Lenco topplate it sometimes happens that the platter
scrapes the top of the plate. If that is the case you need to raise the platter. To do this you simply
place the metal washer provided in the PTP5 kit between the circlip and the thrustplate support at the
bottom of the bearing.
This trick only works with the original Lenco bearing so if you want to use an after market
bearing make sure it is made at least 1mm shorter than standard!

Step 3

Final Assembly

It is important to get the Motor Island and the Topplate lined up correctly.
The cut out template will get you close and the drawing below explains how it should end up.

Once you have aligned the parts correctly fasten them tightly.

The Idler Arm

Install the Idler Wheel assembly. Which idler wheel position is best will depend on the motor
controller and your own preferences but somewhere near 33rpm position should be a good starting
point. The slider gives you the freedom to try out different options.
If you don’t use a motor controller you can use the slider to find the positions for 33 and 45 rpm and
use the Speed Stops to secure these positions.

Connect the wiring to the motor.

A Switch?

The PTP5 kit doesn’t include a switch and if you use a motor controller it is not strictly necessary to
have one but it might be convenient to add it. As long as it has the right ratings you can use any
switch you like and place it anywhere on the plinth.

The electrical connections can be made in two ways.

• The first method switches only one wire just as Lenco used originally.
• The second method switches both wires.

You are free to use the provided information for DIY- purposes only. Commercial use is strictly
prohibited without my written approval.
Copyright Peter Reinders 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011