Hello I'm new and Have a Reel to Reel issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Akai Junky
  • Start date Start date
A

Akai Junky

New member
I am new here so thanks for letting me in . Hope to learn a thing or two. Just got a great deal on a couple decks . One is a GX400d-ss with all metal front (not black )and the other a Gx630d-ss off an older musician who was downsizing . After much cleaning and degreasing ,and tweeking I had both of them working great .

However after I got the Gx400d-ss back together the servo motor(scm3-16tw) that drives the capstans stopped working . I have isolated electrically the motor to determine if it is the motor itself(still spins smooth and clean )it does. I am not getting any AC voltage at the motor , should be roughly 70 vac and below .

Upon closer inspection of the servo board I found 48 volts dc across a relay on the board where there should only be 24 V . Perhaps this relay is burned out due to a regulation transistor going ??

Rewind was slow on this unit and after investigation online that is common with this machine . There was a lot of oxidation on the electronic parts . Transistor leads ,pots . Capacitors look good . I do not see any swelling though I am sure I am sure a recap would lift its spirits . Perhaps something on the servo board went or perhaps the power supply ? Those would be my first culprits . Maybe there was one thing that always went on these units and somebody knows

Everything else on the machine seems to be working . When I pull tape over the heads the amp and machine respond as it should . Rewind and fast forward also work . And before anyone asks the capstan belt is in great shape no sign of wear and tear or age at all . Big belt the one on my power planer is smaller !!


I am new to reel to reels and went from having zero to 4 within 2 weeks . I have caught the bug . I have some experience with electronics . But I know there are guys out there who worked in the service industry for there whole careers back in the day on here who could perhaps help out .

I do know that this is a rare unit (they both are ) this one is a 2 digit serial #. Some estimates are as low as 300 for production . But I would imagine higher . It is built like a brick you know what . I have 1940 military receivers that weigh less !!

I have to get this going again because it sounds so good . I do have a pdf of the service manual ,though it is not the most comprehensive one I have seen. As well the circuit for the servo board is different to what is in the machine .

At least for now the Gx630d-ss will entertain me . Look forward to any help or advice that I get . Thanks
 
Hello and welcome. You will probably get more response and help if you post this in the Analog Only forum. That is where the tape machine aficionados hang out.

Good luck!
 
Back
Top