Reel to Reel player. belt driven

[tyqre]

I just got a Roberts 450 rtr player and it has a few problems.. First, I think the belts are loose because once it starts playing it gradually comes to a stop, but the capstan belt it still spinning, just not the capstan. Another issue is that the speed doesn't change when i flip the 7 1/2 - 3 3/4 switch. And can you record over a pre recorded tape? because when i try to record nothing happens to the tape, it does not delete whats there nor does it record.I know the source is working because the meters are moving with the source, its just not making its way to the head. I suppose I should try cleaning the heads. Is there any way I can fix these issues? I have no idea what I am doing haha.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hey,
The belts could well be loose, but with those other symptoms I'd start with a full and proper clean of the heads and tape path.

If you've used shedding tape it can gum up the heads and hinder or block signal.
It can also cause the tape to slow down and sometimes squeal. It can even grind to a halt with the capstan spinning away, so I'd start there.

 

[tyqre]

Ok, ill rub down the heads with some isopropyl and see how that goes. Though when playing its almost like that take up spool doesent have enough power to pull the feeding spool. Or the feeding spool just doesent want to spin.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Ok, ill rub down the heads and full tape path with some isopropyl and see how that goes.

If you're gona clean it, do it right. Every part of the machine that touches tape needs to be spotless.
There may well be more to your problem, but rule this out first.

Though when playing its almost like A: the take up spool doesent have enough power to pull the feeding spool. B:Or the feeding spool just doesent want to spin.

If it's A you have a different problem. If this is happening the tape will lag and hang on the right hand side.
B could be slipping belts, binding brakes, or a sticky/dirty path.

 

[tyqre]

ok, well this is strange. I took the front plate off and I am playing the reels without the front plate on. I cleaned the heads and got the residue of everything. It works plays/records fine without the front plate on....

 

[Steenamaroo]

ok, well this is strange. I took the front plate off and I am playing the reels without the front plate on. I cleaned the heads and got the residue of everything. It works plays/records fine without the front plate on....

Is it coincidence, do you think? I mean, did you take the front plate off, clean it, then test it?

 

[tyqre]

Nah, i tried to use it with the plate on first after cleaning. Then got frustrated and wanted to take another look inside.

 

[tyqre]

Alas, I have discovered a nother issue. When the left channel level gets a little behind the zero mark on the limiter it cuts out, but the right is fine and it just does this after playback of recordings, not during the playback of pre recorded materials. Do you think this has to do with the record head? or the tape being old. most likely the record head...

EDIT: I have further narrowed this down to channel 2.. Its definately the playack head, The meter looks pretty true when recording, its only during playback. So that takes out the cable/source. IS there anything I can do to fix this.? And Im not sure if its a level thing anymore, it just cuts out randomly I think.

Edit: It might actually be a frequency thing. I say this because The mid, very high/low freq induce the cut out and are distorted only in the left channel.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Truth be told, I just have a small amount of experience with the basic mechanics of these things.
There are guys around here who know A LOT about the intricate workings.

Hopefully someone will be along soon.

 

[tyqre]

Okay, I think the left/ right channel thing was the tape.. But a nothr issue has shown itself. The speed switch doesent change speeds. When i select the 7 1/2 speed the high end gets muddy. When I put it back to 3 3/4 speed the high end is back and it sounds pretty much like the source. Could this be a capacitor or a faulty ground? Thanks for your help Steenamaroo.