tascam 32 - again.

  • Thread starter Thread starter FALKEN
  • Start date Start date
nothing anywhere about this. I can't believe this sensor just "died".
 
now the title of this thread is just ironic.

since cleaning the sensor it has become entirely non-functional.

what did I do?

it seems the capstan will start turning by itself when you give a "push" no matter what the sensor is doing. this is weird, because once going, the sensor could then control the capstan as normal. but now, the sensor has appeared to completely die, and the motor just keeps going until you turn the machine off. I tested all of the fuses and they are all working.
 
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so I ordered a new sensor. For the same price I probably could have found a whole parts machine, if I had the time. I just hope its that and not an electrical problem....if its a cap job I am liable to seriously mess it up. The little laser eye does emit the red light; it just that the signal doesn't seem to be getting to the motor. I tried deoxit on all of the connections and nada..... I hope this piece does the trick.
 
Damn analog!!

If u went digital you'd not have these problems!


...(u might have other problems, though!)


Heh. :eek: ;)
 
A Reel Person said:
If u went digital you'd not have these problems!


...(u might have other problems, though!)


Heh. :eek: ;)
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never encountered this one, I guess?

I just don't see how the sensor could progressively die over an afternoon. it doesn't make sense.
 
The auto-shutoff sensor either works or it doesn't.

I've not seen one that sorta works sometimes. :eek:

Usually when there's an auto-shutoff problem, it's a mechanical problem with the right tension arm being sticky and not dropping all the way down. Usually it's from the lubricant in the pivot point that's turned to goo.;)
 
A Reel Person said:
I've not seen one that sorta works sometimes. :eek:

Usually when there's an auto-shutoff problem, it's a mechanical problem with the right tension arm being sticky and not dropping all the way down. Usually it's from the lubricant in the pivot point that's turned to goo.;)
Click to expand...

that's what I figured. so I took the righ tension arm off; cleaned it; and put it back; and for good measure I cleaned the sensor as well. now its completely shot.

lets say, for argument's sake, that when this new sensor arrives in the mail and I install it; that the problem does not go away; where should I look next?
 
ok; so while I am awaiting my part from tascam, my parts machine I bought on ebay came. It powers up but I haven't run a tape yet. The capstan and the reel motors both work though. The machine was waaay dirty and I've been cleaning it. When I cleaned the pinch it seemed to get a bit sticky.... and there was some black gunk on the heads so I think that is the first problem. The heads and guides are also "flattened" a bit.... the machine seems to have had some good use already. The tension arms do not automatically snap back down after being lifted. While I am tempted to run some tape on this bad boy I think the better option might be to grab the parts I need and stash it in the garage. My first machine does not have this kind of wear on the heads so I am thinking that is my best bet. just rambling...
 
I am at my wits' end....

The parts machine needs a reel table adjustment so I figured I would just grab my part and get gone. So I replaced the sensor and guess what? The capstan still isn't moving. when I lift the lifters the machine will go into RW or FF and when I lower the lifter it stops so the sensor is working. Just not the capstan motor. ???

once again I am deflated. and no I'm not "going back to digital".
 
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and its not like the motor is burned out. It will still go when you give it a push. But then it will not stop. It seems like an electrical problem.... :eek: :( :( :(
 
Back to basics, baby!

Check all your fuses and connectors. Actually ohm out the fuses. It sounds like a primary voltage is down, or the logic is only half awake. Also make sure that whatever connectors you removed were replaced onto their correctly matched sockets.
 
ARP,

All connections are strong. I tested the fuses a few days ago with a multimeter, those are fine. I assume that is what you mean by "ohm out" the fuses. It seems like there are only 2 or 3 wires going to the capstan motor and they hook up to a small card below the left reel table. I didn't mess with any of that stuff. I could try to swap that card or the whole motor with the ebay machine... but that seems drastic. do you think maybe the motor needs oil?
 
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I'm wondering if it's the motor control board. I don't have the schematics to hand, and I'm not sure I'd understand the circuit anyway, but there's some kind of feedback loop to keep the motor running at a constant speed. I'm wondering if that has failed somehow.
 
I am thinking it must be the motor control board as well. only I think its the communication....

I am taking a "mental health" day off tomorrow because my job is making me want to kill myself. This situation isn't helping.

I will most likely spend some time on this. I would love to get it fixed tomorrow. Though I fear having to solder on any of the boards. The last board I soldered I was trying to make a mult on my patchbay and I totally fugged it up... :(

But I've gotta figure SOMETHING out.

Maybe I can get the reel table height thing fixed on the crap machine and swap the heads out and rotate the lifters....

the ME had postponed our appointment and it is coming up again on tuesday and I haven't made any progress. to get the mix over to the ME on tuesday I have to have it to fedex on saturday...so I am running out of time.

:( :( :(

any help at this point is seriously appreciated.

I'll send you a free CD or something when I get it back from replication.
 
FALKEN said:
I am thinking it must be the motor control board as well. only I think its the communication....
Click to expand...

The capstan control system is not documented. The pinch roller solenoid and reel motor drive systems are explicitly described in great detail.. the capstan motor is not. From what I can tell, the control system is either in the motor itself, or possibly in the small PCB you mentioned (assuming that wasn't the pitch control). I can't find any control circuitry in the schematics.

So, I would try swapping the motor with the one from the parts machine.. it should just plug in. Swapping the heads is nasty (since they have to be soldered and which colour goes where isn't documented).
 
If you are going to replace the motor its alot easier to jus do the board and the motor at the same time. If I remember right they are soldered together.
 
herm,

the main board or the smaller board that sits under the reel table next to the PSU?

if ARP doesn't chime in here soon, I think I am going to try swapping the motor tonight. maybe that board too. ;)

starting to feel better. Have either of you done this before??
 
holy crap!

HERM,

I was looking at that card. It looks like it is being held in place by two screws on the right? is this accurate? It looks like I could do the switch with no soldering at all. Is this right??
 
I don't have a clue.

............................... :eek: ;)
 
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