How do you trouble shoot this tape deck?

[BillyFurnett]

Pssst.

PM-or-Email-Vintage-TX-(Wink-Wink)

(You-sure-there's-not-a-seperate-fuse-for-the-motors-in-there?)h

 

[Vintage TX]

Hi there

Sorry you having problem with your deck.
The fuse thing (silver one) is a runcapacitor for the capstan-motor and not a fuse.
Check the wires going to the capstan motor with a volt-meter if you got any juice to the motor.
I am not familiar exactly with the model, but on the tape-transport loading the tape, it probably has a small chrome-rod that engage capstan-motor to start (automatic shut-off switch)
Load a tape and see if the fly-wheel and capstan-motor start turning.
If motor don't come on = check voltage on motor=
If you got juice and capstan-pulley is turning = check belt from pulley and around the fly-wheel.

If no joice and capstan-motor don't turn, you need to replace the run-capacitor, The value and size is written on the side of the silver-cap.
I have new runcap in stock so send me the info.


Good Luck troubleshooting now and let me know what you find

Best regards

 

[Vintage TX]

PS/ Visit my website and go to "Do it yourself" sections, there is several pictures with decks apart similar to yours and make it easier to understand terms and functions inside.


http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx

 

[teainthesahara]

Thanks Vintage TX, im going to purchase a voltimeter and try out your suggestions. Your website is great - those pics are very helpful...im learning a hell of alot about these machines than i new before!

T

 

[Vintage TX]

You welcome, glad the info came handy for you.
Let me know what you find.

Good Luck !

 

[teainthesahara]

Check the wires going to the capstan motor with a volt-meter if you got any juice to the motor.
If motor don't come on = check voltage on motor=
If you got juice and capstan-pulley is turning = check belt from pulley and around the fly-wheel.


Good Luck troubleshooting now and let me know what you find

Best regards

Hey Vintage TX,

I think i got the right tool to do this today (pic attatched). I must profess at being a 100% newbie at working with actual circuits and wires (other than patch cords and lamps)...but this is my opportunity to learn this stuff! I've got a photo up above labeled "fuse and motor". How do i configure the multi-meter (i.e. where do i put the electrodes and what settings) to test things out as suggested?

Thanks,
T

 

[Vintage TX]

You are scaring me.. not sure if I will give you instructions for using this and ending up with death or injury..
Do you know someone with electronic knowledge near by ?

 

[teainthesahara]

Ha! I didn't mean to scare you!!! I have used a multi meter before and have basic knowledge with working with live circuits - BUT - I did notice your high voltage caution on your website (a good idea, by the way) and thought it would be best to confirm the proper testing procedure before i attempted it. But since i have little experience working with high voltage equipment, i will respect your caution and try to find someone with more experience to help out.

Thanks,
T

 

[Vintage TX]

I think it's a good idea T.
There has been some scary moments in the past when people open decks up and sparks started flying... and a Oops afterwards trying to get the smoking deck out of the house.
I love barbeque, but on my own terms and workbench. LOL
Be careful so you don't light up like Santa Claus pooking around in there now.

I was looking at that power connection on the backpanel.
Did you modify a plug and you are sure there is 115 volt juice in to the deck ?
When you find a friend with knowledge, check the capstan-motor wires with a tapemounted on the machine and in playmode.
Of course the unit need to be plugged in, but be careful now. * *

"Smoke gets in my eyes"

Good Luck !

 

[Vintage TX]

Forgot to mention a guy that emailed me and asked for advice his message was:
"If I put a screwdriver between these wires the deck starts but also a humming sound and burnt smell comes from the left corner, do you have the parts for this problem ? "

Handy Man right ?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Handy Man right ?

One of my favorite movie line quotations;

"A man's got to know his limitations"

Clint Eastwood.

 

[Vintage TX]

Wonder how the testing went ?
Have not heard back from him... hope you are OK.

 

[teainthesahara]

Wonder how the testing went ?
Have not heard back from him... hope you are OK.

VintageTX,
no, im not dead ! My school term just started so i've only got weekends to work on the reel to reel - which i totally intend to get running again! I have not been successful finding someone that has more high voltage knowledge than i do, so that also is delaying me (I guess im finding out this week that my school program doesn't attract alot of people with electrical experience beyond household wiring ). If i cant find anyone at school i might try get in touch with an electrician who likes to fix stuff on the side to follow the instructions you gave me.

I'll keep you posted; thanks for the help you have given.

T

 

[Vintage TX]

Glad you are OK

 

[teainthesahara]

re: reel effect

...What effect is it you are trying to reproduce by using this machine?

Cheers!

Ok, so im still in the process of getting it together to test out my Toshiba reel to reel. In the mean time, Id thought i'd answer that question.

I had access to a 2 track Sony ¼ inch reel to reel in the summer, and one day my musical partner and I took it out on deck, hit record, and improvised this tune (its now called Baybe so mean). Later, in my project studio, I transferred the tracks to digital, but I liked the imaging and tonality the reel to reel gave for the story in this song, so I played with it some more. The tune starts out like on a rusty locomotive…( Mama didn’t get on the train, mama didn’t come this weekend…..) and I used my thumb on the reel to simulate this initial lurching sound…like the trains just getting going and the rust is falling off…and it slowly moves up to tempo when the bass merges in. The rest of the tune is a mix of the reel recordings and digital recordings; if you listen carefully you tell when they merge. The lead “telephone-sound” vocal was recorded on the reel – and I used the same thumb technique to phrase it, and add these little flanges here and there. This is just a temporary mix, but I like where it’s going.

http://www.nowhereradio.com/teainthesahara/singles

Baybe So Mean is the track

T

 

[The Ghost of FM]

teainthesahara,

I checked out your track at NWR to hear all the funky effects you accomplished with the reel to reel.

Some very original ideas there, you guys put together. Not my cup of tea, but entertaining, none the less.

Cheers!

 

[chazba]

I have worked on a lot of similar decks and suggest that you find
an AKAI or TEAC of similar vintage. They are a lot easier to find parts for and in many cases, there is service info available on the 'net. Also, you might consider finding a TV repair shop run by a really old guy ( over 50) who probably has experience with similar decks. He probably can give you a quick opinion and no doubt will have sources for parts.

chazba

 

[teainthesahara]

teainthesahara,

I checked out your track at NWR to hear all the funky effects you accomplished with the reel to reel.

Some very original ideas there, you guys put together. Not my cup of tea, but entertaining, none the less.

Cheers!

Hey Thanks Ghost,

I just had the opportunity to check out your latest tune, Dead Wrong. Man, you are dead right with them tones! You get a nice, deep, rich sound...something im still striving for...good job!

T

 

[teainthesahara]

I have worked on a lot of similar decks and suggest that you find
an AKAI or TEAC of similar vintage. They are a lot easier to find parts for and in many cases, there is service info available on the 'net. Also, you might consider finding a TV repair shop run by a really old guy ( over 50) who probably has experience with similar decks. He probably can give you a quick opinion and no doubt will have sources for parts.

chazba

Thanks for the advice chazba. Since this is spring break at school..i think thats what im going to do - hook up with a TV/electronic repair shop, bring a copy of Vintage TX's instructions and away we go....

T