Power Cable issue

[mikev]

Hi All .......

I am caught in a quagmire here. I have a Wollensak 1515-4 open reel to reel unit, a Wollensak 1580 open reel to reel unit, and a Concord 994 open reel to reel unit.

All three units need a quality refurbishing, lube, belts, tubes. I have or can get the parts, I just do not have a clue as to how to work the units. I am not all that savvy a tech. I have tried everywhere and not a soul will work these units because they're not an expensive Studer or the like. Still, I will keep looking and hoping for a tech who will help me on this.

The other issue I have is the need for power cables for all three units. I found the right power cable, 15 footer, for my Denon RCD-M38 shelf stereo and it seems like it would fit the two Wollensaks - but I am not sure because I know zero about anything electrical.

The two Wollesaks are a two pin link up with the power cord but that is just about all I know for sure. The power cords (see below) are a two pin also....... so......would they be a good fit for the two reel to reels?? Help me on this. I really would appreciate a friendly helping hand on this.......

Polarized AC Power Cord for Denon RCD-M37 RCD-M38 RCD-M39 RCD-N7 CD Receiver - 15 FT​

• Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
• UL Listed 2 prong AC 18AWG extension polarized power cord replacement
• Figure D polarized power cable, rated to carry: 10A,7A 125V; 2-prong NEMA 5-15P male plug to female D connector 15FT long extension power cord.
• 390 slot 10A / 7A 125V polarized power cable

​

 

[TimOD]

Take note of the polarized plug--examine the other machines' plug outlet and see if they're the same, and then check the voltage and amp requirements--they are likely on a plate affixed to the machine somewhere. What do you plan on doing with those tape machines?

 

[mikev]

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. I have had the units sitting in my bedroom for years on years. Each one is mint on the outside but I know each would need work on the inside (I know zero about that stuff). I would love to have the belts replaced, the tubes replaced, and lubed where it should be lubed. I am 72 years of age with a bad bad heart and I really wanted to have them brought back to their former glory before I leave this world. I was told by each seller at the time that all functions worked as they should but they have been unused and sitting for such a long time. Wish I could find someone to work them for me but no one seems to want to handle the work for whatever reason.

 

[TimOD]

Oh! Well, the seller is right--those things have a lot of moving parts, and those parts wear out, and can be tough to find (especially the belts!). The thing is, those machines are old technology, and it's likely that a repair shop handles them very often. You can wind up paying a small fortune to have them fixed. I own two Nakamichi cassette decks, and both need belts and a few other things. At this point, I doubt I'll have them fixed, because why? I'll never use them again. They were fantastic back in their day, but those days are gone. There is lately a surge in the use of cassettes as a medium for "indie" artists to put their music out, but it seems to me that's a bad idea. You need a cassette player to play the tapes. A major drawback. Those players were quite common a couple decades ago, but not now. What happens when the budding cassette enthusiast or even dabbler has a cassette "eaten" by the mediocre player they bought? You also likely will need an amplifier/preamp to listen though. More money for diminishing returns.