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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc.

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Old 29th Jul 2022, 10:04 am   #21
llama
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Default Re: Mayfair FT-305 Small Reel to Reel Check Out

I don't like those resistors on the amp board. Very little flexibility to take up thermal movement - after decades of thermal cycling they could well be intermittent.
Graham
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Old 30th Jul 2022, 5:23 pm   #22
DMcMahon
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Default Re: Mayfair FT-305 Small Reel to Reel Check Out

Thank you Graham, the ones I could measure in circuit all measured as good as spot on. Of course not to say they could not be intermittent in operation. From latest work/testing it looks now to be running well.

David
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Old 30th Jul 2022, 8:52 pm   #23
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Default Re: Mayfair FT-305 Small Reel to Reel Check Out

Investigating why the Take Up spool height appeared to be so low, found that there was a split on the underside of the spool flange and that section of the flange had sprung downwards. Amazed that had not spotted that before.

With a replacement spool fitted the spool height was fine, after removing the previoulsy added washers. Also the Supply spool height then looked good also.

Investigated why the sound was disappearing, the more I checked the more infrequent the loss of sound became and the more difficult to make it go/return, until eventually the problem has gone away at least for now.

During the sound investigation had nuisance problem with the motor stopping intermittently. During the fault, the motor voltage (measured across the motor terminals) was good/not changing, so pointing to a mechanical problem.

When motor stopped or would not start, could get it going by turning the motor pulley or flywheel. Lifted up the motor plate and removed the drive belt, motor would always run when no load on it. Recleaned the drive belt, the flywheel and pulley grooves, the rubber drive idler and added tiny drop of oil to the ends of the motor shaft and regreased the flywheel shaft.

Very relieved that now the motor no longer stops and also the playback speed now is good, no longer varying/sounding slow.

Microphone test speech recordings sound good and playback of pre-recorded tapes sound pretty reasonable

David
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Old 1st Aug 2022, 3:59 pm   #24
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Default Re: Mayfair FT-305 Small Reel to Reel Check Out

Tried recording some music using the microphone and found that recording is no longer working (did not last long), playback is still good.

David
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