Vista Video 8902 VHS VCR. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Snarf81 · 12th Aug 2020, 7:14 pm

Hi.

The head, supply reel, idler and capstan are running continuously when it's switched on. I did briefly get sound out of it and it was running at the correct speed, sound has gone again now. I hooked it up via RF and video out and I'm getting no picture at all, just a static screen. Darn thing

Many thanks

Rich.

Snarf81 · 12th Aug 2020, 7:54 pm

Another thing I've just noticed is that when I set the clock, the minutes don't advance on the display. It's stayed at 19:16 since I set it. I don't know if that's all connected with the other problems?

Snarf81 · 14th Aug 2020, 10:47 am

Quick update,
I've made some recordings on this vcr via the A/V inputs and they play back perfectly in other vcrs. I'm still not getting any picture output from this Vista though. The analogue tuner doesn't seem to be able to tune in anything from my RF modulator also. I'm a bit stumped with the poor old thing.

birksholt · 15th Aug 2020, 1:18 pm

Hmm, bit of a head scratcher. I'm struggling to think of a fault that would cause all these symptoms. Maybe one of the supplies (12 volt?) being wrong but I would think that would affect recording as well. Also the power supply is pretty reliable, although I suppose you don't know what might have happened to the machine before you got it. I would check the supplies anyway as a first step.

There's a motor control signal from the mechacon board that turns both motors on and off, if that was high all the time then they would run continuously. That enters the audio/servo board on a connector that's near the edge of the board towards the back of the machine, below the cut-out. It's numbered 51 and will probably have a capacitor wired to it on the print side. This is the board mounted vertically on the left side of the machine. It should be 12v in play, rewind, ffwd etc and 0v in stop. If it's 12v in stop then I'd try disconnecting it and measuring to see if its entering the servo board like that.

Do you have a scope? If so, then I'd check test point 7 on the head pre-amp board with a tape playing to see if you have a signal. This is the fm from the heads after the amplifier. This is the vertical board at the back of the machine.

Not sure about the clock. Looking at the circuit, it has 7v ac going to it and a selector for 50/60hz which suggests to me that it's synchronised to the mains frequency so if that 7v ac were missing it would be on but would not run. I'm not sure about this though so I might be talking rubbish.

Snarf81 · 15th Aug 2020, 7:52 pm

Hi, thank you very much for the reply and helpful info! The machine doesn't look like it's been messed about with, it looks to be in very good condition internally.

I don't have a scope unfortunately, but I've got a multimeter handy and I'll be able to test the voltage with that. I'll take a look at the service manual to make sure what I'm looking at is what you suggested I test.

Incidentally, do you have a YouTube channel with a repair video on the 8902?

I'll take a look at the vcr tomorrow and report back what I can find.

Many thanks again,

Rich.

davyrocket2 · 18th Aug 2020, 1:07 am

Hello Rich.

I suggest you look at the slider bars which are connected to the keys and one I seem to recall may be slow in returning to its normal position and allowing the motors to turn off, I think the one is connected to the play solenoid next too or under the cassette carriage also check with your other machines as if the clocks are the same number of buttons you can swap the internals or the trim.

Regards, David.

Snarf81 · 18th Aug 2020, 3:40 pm

Hi David,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm hoping to get some free time later this week to look at it again, so I'll take a look at the slider bars to see if they might be getting a bit stuck. I assume you're not talking about the two slide bars for the record switches that are on the vertical left hand servo board? I think I have two compatible clock modules from my other scrap machines I can swap to see if the clock will advance after being set.

Cheers

Rich.

davyrocket2 · 19th Aug 2020, 6:39 am

Hello Richard. No it's the ones under the tape carriage.

12th Aug 2020, 7:14 pm	#21
Snarf81 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 615	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Hi. The head, supply reel, idler and capstan are running continuously when it's switched on. I did briefly get sound out of it and it was running at the correct speed, sound has gone again now. I hooked it up via RF and video out and I'm getting no picture at all, just a static screen. Darn thing Many thanks Rich.

12th Aug 2020, 7:54 pm	#22
Snarf81 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 615	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Another thing I've just noticed is that when I set the clock, the minutes don't advance on the display. It's stayed at 19:16 since I set it. I don't know if that's all connected with the other problems?

14th Aug 2020, 10:47 am	#23
Snarf81 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 615	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Quick update, I've made some recordings on this vcr via the A/V inputs and they play back perfectly in other vcrs. I'm still not getting any picture output from this Vista though. The analogue tuner doesn't seem to be able to tune in anything from my RF modulator also. I'm a bit stumped with the poor old thing.

15th Aug 2020, 1:18 pm	#24
birksholt Pentode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 108	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Hmm, bit of a head scratcher. I'm struggling to think of a fault that would cause all these symptoms. Maybe one of the supplies (12 volt?) being wrong but I would think that would affect recording as well. Also the power supply is pretty reliable, although I suppose you don't know what might have happened to the machine before you got it. I would check the supplies anyway as a first step. There's a motor control signal from the mechacon board that turns both motors on and off, if that was high all the time then they would run continuously. That enters the audio/servo board on a connector that's near the edge of the board towards the back of the machine, below the cut-out. It's numbered 51 and will probably have a capacitor wired to it on the print side. This is the board mounted vertically on the left side of the machine. It should be 12v in play, rewind, ffwd etc and 0v in stop. If it's 12v in stop then I'd try disconnecting it and measuring to see if its entering the servo board like that. Do you have a scope? If so, then I'd check test point 7 on the head pre-amp board with a tape playing to see if you have a signal. This is the fm from the heads after the amplifier. This is the vertical board at the back of the machine. Not sure about the clock. Looking at the circuit, it has 7v ac going to it and a selector for 50/60hz which suggests to me that it's synchronised to the mains frequency so if that 7v ac were missing it would be on but would not run. I'm not sure about this though so I might be talking rubbish.

15th Aug 2020, 7:52 pm	#25
Snarf81 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 615	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Hi, thank you very much for the reply and helpful info! The machine doesn't look like it's been messed about with, it looks to be in very good condition internally. I don't have a scope unfortunately, but I've got a multimeter handy and I'll be able to test the voltage with that. I'll take a look at the service manual to make sure what I'm looking at is what you suggested I test. Incidentally, do you have a YouTube channel with a repair video on the 8902? I'll take a look at the vcr tomorrow and report back what I can find. Many thanks again, Rich.

18th Aug 2020, 1:07 am	#26
davyrocket2 Pentode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Westgate On Sea, Kent, UK. Posts: 246	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS vcr. Hello Rich. I suggest you look at the slider bars which are connected to the keys and one I seem to recall may be slow in returning to its normal position and allowing the motors to turn off, I think the one is connected to the play solenoid next too or under the cassette carriage also check with your other machines as if the clocks are the same number of buttons you can swap the internals or the trim. Regards, David.

18th Aug 2020, 3:40 pm	#27
Snarf81 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 615	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS VCR. Hi David, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm hoping to get some free time later this week to look at it again, so I'll take a look at the slider bars to see if they might be getting a bit stuck. I assume you're not talking about the two slide bars for the record switches that are on the vertical left hand servo board? I think I have two compatible clock modules from my other scrap machines I can swap to see if the clock will advance after being set. Cheers Rich.

19th Aug 2020, 6:39 am	#28
davyrocket2 Pentode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Westgate On Sea, Kent, UK. Posts: 246	Re: Vista Video 8902 VHS VCR. Hello Richard. No it's the ones under the tape carriage.