488MKII pitch control

[Doc Holiday]

The pitch control on my 488mkii is giving me problems. The tape speed is faster than usual when the pitch wheel is in the center position. Also, any movement or a slight bump of the unit will cause the pitch to alter. What would cause this? Belt? Motor? Rubber band about to snap?

 

[A Reel Person]

Belt.

.................

 

[cjacek]

Yup, exactly what I was gonna say.

 

[A Reel Person]

No.

The belt stretches to the point that it slips off it's proper place on the pulley, and rides up on the flange, thus causing a speed increase.

 

[Doc Holiday]

Thanks for the info. I'll look into replacing the belt first.

 

[dweeb]

So I guess it wasn't the belt.

 

[up-fiddler]

Thanks for the info. I'll look into replacing the belt first.

FWIW I went to my local auto parts store and found an O-ring that was slightly smaller than the belt and have used that for the last 7 months or so without a problem. The 424 isn't my main machine but I use it to pass tapes back and forth through the mail for one of my clients. Once I set the pitch control to match standard pitch (between 12 and 1 oclock) I haven't changed it or had any trouble. I don't know if the o-ring tension is too great or not but haven't had any trouble with mine. Part cost was $.43 so I bought two.

 

[up-fiddler]

The real belt is like $1.50.

Agreed. But I needed one right away and have been too lazy to take out the O-ring that is still working.