Thorn/Baird 8299 vhs vcr playback operation.

[Snarf81]

Hi everyone.

I was given 3 old vhs decks recently, 2 Ferguson videostar 3v36 and a Thorn/Baird 8922 piano key.

I've fitted a set of new belts that arrived from Signals.co.uk to the 8922 but there is a problem with it.

The head motor belt keeps jumping off the motor spindle when I press either play, fast forward or rewind.
I don't know if there is supposed to be a guard to stop the belt from jumping off as it only jumps off when the video head drum is stationary.
Also when I press play, rewind or fast forward the keys just make a clunk and spring up again.

Interestingly when pause is pressed and then the play, fast forward and rewind keys are pressed it will perform the function and stay rewinding, fast forwarding until pause is taken off then it clunks and stops. The paused play mode laces up the tape with no problem. With the pause key released and whilst holding down the play key to stop it springing up, it starts playing the cassette, although the sound is too fast.

I'm new to these old vhs vcrs from the early 80s so I don't know if it's a common fault or not

I've taken some pictures of the head motor belt area.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Richard.

[julie_m]

Sound too fast -- are you sure you are not trying to play a tape that was recorded in Long Play mode? This recorder is Standard Play only, and will not be able to slow down enough to read the tape properly.

I know only too well about this problem from personal experience ..... I rescued my Nan and Grandad's old 3V22, which needed only a belt kit to get it going again; but my parents' and the neighbours' VCRs were both Beta, and the tape I had brought home with the Ferguson -- recorded on the grandparents' new machine -- was long play. And of course, all this long predated the Internet!

[HamishBoxer]

Got to assume it is of course the correct belt in the belt kit.

[Snarf81]

Hi.
Yes I know it's only a standard play vcr, my parents bought one ex rental in 1984. Hehe.

The belt is slightly more tighter on the pulleys than the old one, it still does seem a bit slack though.
I just hope I've not been sent the kit with that 1 wrong size though.

Hmm, other than trying to get another belt from somewhere I'm flummoxed.

Thanks
Richard.

[HamishBoxer]

If the playback sound is too fast,then surely the capstan motor (control circuit etc) is running faster than it should.

[Snarf81]

Hi,
You might be right. Do you happen to know how I adjust the capstan speed please?
Thanks again
Richard.

[nigelr2000]

Has the cassette lamp failed as that is the usual cause of the keys tripping out again ( located in a plastic tower and inserts in the centre front of the cassette )

[julie_m]

The other thing I remember from my Nan's old VCR was that there were lots of sensors dotted around the mechanism, and it would cut out in the event of a lost signal from any of them to protect against possible expensive damage. Check the soldered joints of these sensors, and carefully resolder any that have come disconnected.

[Snarf81]

No, the lamp is fine. That's the first thing that I looked for when I first powered it on.

I'll take a look for those sensors, can you remember if there on top of the deck or underneath with the belts please?

Thank you
Richard.

[julie_m]

It was all a lomg time ago, but I think they were on both sides. Every (or nearly every) rotating part had one. They resembled miniature tape heads.

[Snarf81]

I've found a few of the sensors and cleaned them. The function keys still don't do anything unless pause is engaged.

[HamishBoxer]

Not having the manual I am not sure on Capstan speed adjustment,though more likely a fault than needing a quick tweak.

Like alignment best left alone unless previously got at.

[Snarf81]

Okie dokie. I'm not going to mess about with it. I need to find a smaller belt for the drum motor and figure out why it's not staying in play etc.

Richard.

[toshiba tony]

The head flywheel may have dropped a little depriving the machine of head rotation pulses.

[Snarf81]

Ahhh right. Thanks for that info. When I got the vcr I had to tighten up the capstan flywheel as it was a bit loose.
I shall investigate the head flywheel a bit later today/early tomorrow
Thank you
Richard.

[mark2collection]

The drum belt sizing issue aside, the fast 'play-back' in forced mode suggests the pinchroller solenoid isn't coming on. The machine laces up ok with the pause button pressed but unlaces as soon as you release the pause button? Hmmm.

Has the cassette housing been removed & refitted with the cassette housing lever the wrong side of the deck switch?

The machine may 'think' the cassette housing is still open.

When you rewind a tape back to the beginning, does the machine automatically stop, or does it try to stretch the tape by keep winding? (Use a duffer tape for trials).

Mark

[Snarf81]

Hi Mark
Thanks for the reply.
I'm sure the pinch roller solenoid is coming on....it's moving the pinch roller into position, only when pause-play is activated, otherwise the play key just clunks back up.

The cassette housing has been removed to change three belts and clean up the idler tyres with rubber renue. I had a bit of trouble getting it to stay closed until I sussed out deck switch/plate thing.

When I rewind back to the beginning and fast forward to the end it does automatically stop.

[Snarf81]

What I have noticed it that the solenoid that's underneath is clunking when I hold down the tape transport keys.

[Snarf81]

I'm guessing that's a solenoid?

[HamishBoxer]

Yes I think so,if I am looking at the right part.