Akai 1800SD - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dorian27 · 18th May 2020, 5:57 pm

Akai This machine was workin fine then all of a sudden the right hand volume went very low on sterio i was playing a tape at the time the left is fine but the right hand side is now full on with about a quarter volume of sound on full. I recently cleaned both volume controls as they where crakeling and all has been fine until to day. Any ide where to start looking plese

BRASSBITS · 18th May 2020, 6:11 pm

first call would be to clean the heads

Dorian27 · 18th May 2020, 8:44 pm

Heads cleaned with no difference in sound on right side

duncanlowe · 19th May 2020, 12:44 pm

What did you clean the controls with? Even with proper contact cleaner, I've had a volume control disintegrate a few eeks after cleaning (in this case a linear one on a portable TV).

Dorian27 · 19th May 2020, 5:21 pm

I pulled it apart and cleaned it with isopropyl and cotton swab it all was working fine then all of a sudden volume right dropped.

Dorian27 · 23rd May 2020, 2:25 pm

Is there any one who can qive any advice where to look. I beleve it is a type c according to the cards there are 2 main amp cards do you think the fault could be there the volume on record on the right hand side is also a lot lower than left.

ms660 · 23rd May 2020, 3:40 pm

Make sure the Rec/Playback switch contacts are making properly, also the contacts on the reel to reel and cartridge switches, the signal when reel to reel is selected is dependent on the cartridge switch contacts making properly.

Lawrence.

Dorian27 · 26th May 2020, 4:36 pm

Hi Lawrance. I think the problem is with the cartridge swich i sprayed it with swich cleaner and now the sound has gone even lower. But to get or take the swich off is murder as it is very difficult to get to as there are so many connections abd wires i am not happy to take the risk as i am only an amateur at this any way you can suggest or an easy way round it.

ms660 · 26th May 2020, 4:47 pm

I've never worked on one of these machines so I'm not familiar with the layout other than what's shown in the manual.

I would try again if you now think it's that switch, failing that you might have to remove to get better access for cleaning.

Lawrence.

18th May 2020, 5:57 pm	#1
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Akai 1800SD Akai This machine was workin fine then all of a sudden the right hand volume went very low on sterio i was playing a tape at the time the left is fine but the right hand side is now full on with about a quarter volume of sound on full. I recently cleaned both volume controls as they where crakeling and all has been fine until to day. Any ide where to start looking plese

18th May 2020, 6:11 pm	#2
BRASSBITS Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 364	Re: Akai 1800SD first call would be to clean the heads

18th May 2020, 8:44 pm	#3
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Akai 1800SD Heads cleaned with no difference in sound on right side

19th May 2020, 12:44 pm	#4
duncanlowe Nonode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK. Posts: 2,532	Re: Akai 1800SD What did you clean the controls with? Even with proper contact cleaner, I've had a volume control disintegrate a few eeks after cleaning (in this case a linear one on a portable TV).

19th May 2020, 5:21 pm	#5
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Akai 1800SD I pulled it apart and cleaned it with isopropyl and cotton swab it all was working fine then all of a sudden volume right dropped.

23rd May 2020, 2:25 pm	#6
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Akai 1800SD Is there any one who can qive any advice where to look. I beleve it is a type c according to the cards there are 2 main amp cards do you think the fault could be there the volume on record on the right hand side is also a lot lower than left.

23rd May 2020, 3:40 pm	#7
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Akai 1800SD Make sure the Rec/Playback switch contacts are making properly, also the contacts on the reel to reel and cartridge switches, the signal when reel to reel is selected is dependent on the cartridge switch contacts making properly. Lawrence.

26th May 2020, 4:36 pm	#8
Dorian27 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. Posts: 564	Re: Akai 1800SD Hi Lawrance. I think the problem is with the cartridge swich i sprayed it with swich cleaner and now the sound has gone even lower. But to get or take the swich off is murder as it is very difficult to get to as there are so many connections abd wires i am not happy to take the risk as i am only an amateur at this any way you can suggest or an easy way round it.

26th May 2020, 4:47 pm	#9
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Akai 1800SD I've never worked on one of these machines so I'm not familiar with the layout other than what's shown in the manual. I would try again if you now think it's that switch, failing that you might have to remove to get better access for cleaning. Lawrence.