Looking forward to my 40s too.
I would start with psu caps. Or Viagra.
What’s on *YOUR* workbench?
- Thread starter Bricksnbeatles
- Start date
I would start with psu caps. Or Viagra.
Robert
Reverse Engineer
Is that a Panasonic? I haven't worked on them in years but it looks familiar.
Yep, like @jwin615 said, I'd start by checking electrolytic caps in the power supply.
The power supply might be in a shielded box under the main PCB, just follow the AC cord and you'll find it. Just like a tube amp or any other AC powered electronics, the caps can hold a charge so measure/discharge/measure them.
Shutting down after loading the tape could be a few electromechanical issues, but it could also be related to the slow power-on problem so try to resolve that first.
There is an infrared LED in the center of the tape deck that beams over to photodiodes on opposite sides of the basket to detect the beginning/end of the tape and in some cases when the tape is pushed in. Those can go wonky and cause it to shut down.
Depending on the make/model there is usually a rotary encoder under the VCR deck that the microcontroller uses to keep track of the state of the entire mechanism. Those can get dirty, you can usually pop the top off of them and clean with contact cleaner. It has thin metal fingers that ride along grooves that can bend easily so be careful with that.
One of the various gears could have skipped timing, etc etc.
I'd start with the power supply issue so you aren't troubleshooting a problem you may not have.
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
Yes it's a Panasonic HiFi VCR. Yeah I pulled the board last night to check the PS box. Getting that free is going to be a challenge. The fuse is good and the caps aren't bulging or corroded but that doesn't mean they're in spec. There's just one big honking 220v cap and yes I know what to do to be safe. Belts and gears are all intact and not excessively worn. Thanks for the photo sensor and micro controller info. That's very helpful. I'm gonna start with rebuilding the power supplyIs that a Panasonic? I haven't worked on them in years but it looks familiar.
Yep, like @jwin615 said, I'd start by checking electrolytic caps in the power supply.
The power supply might be in a shielded box under the main PCB, just follow the AC cord and you'll find it. Just like a tube amp or any other AC powered electronics, the caps can hold a charge so measure/discharge/measure them.
Shutting down after loading the tape could be a few electromechanical issues, but it could also be related to the slow power-on problem so try to resolve that first.
There is an infrared LED in the center of the tape deck that beams over to photodiodes on opposite sides of the basket to detect the beginning/end of the tape and in some cases when the tape is pushed in. Those can go wonky and cause it to shut down.
Depending on the make/model there is usually a rotary encoder under the VCR deck that the microcontroller uses to keep track of the state of the entire mechanism. Those can get dirty, you can usually pop the top off of them and clean with contact cleaner. It has thin metal fingers that ride along grooves that can bend easily so be careful with that.
One of the various gears could have skipped timing, etc etc.
I'd start with the power supply issue so you aren't troubleshooting a problem you may not have.
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
There's a bent metal tab that mounts the PS cage to the main board. Otherwise it's free. Edit: right next to where it says Power Circuit Ref. No. 1200 Series is the mounting tab
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
Ok it's actually also soldered in plus the bent tabs. Red arrows show the tabs and yellow are the solder points. It should come out after that
There's also some info in this thread that leads me to believe that recapping the power supply should make this good to go
There's also some info in this thread that leads me to believe that recapping the power supply should make this good to go
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
You need one? I have several
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
New enclosure style im playing around with!
Really love that one !
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
drgonzo1969
Well-known member
When I was growing up my dad had two VCRs and we would copy all the good movies we rented. We had a Huge wall that was full top to bottom of hundreds VHS movies in our basement. All the kids at school were jealous of our massive VHS collection. it was like having a Blockbuster Video in our basement. Still have all the VHS tapes hahaha
PunchySunshine
Well-known member
Making an 8u rack for the table. My first attempt at using stain. It was SO old. Also had a 10 cent sticker from a yard sale on the can. Maybe next time I'll get a new can and try it in my HVLP gun. Same story with the varathane. Don't bump the sides or the crusty rust will fall in! Rails and compressor comes tomorrow so a good day or two of curing before I assemble with screws and glue like a caveman.
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
Power module is out. Now to make a list of caps I need
Edit: update:
Edit: update:
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Passinwind
Well-known member
Cabintech CT3680 "digital BBD" prototype test board is up and running on my test bench as of today. So far it's been a very easy chip to work with, but the paint by numbers part is done and it's time to let it tell me where it wants to go. I have way too many ideas on where to take this, but as usual I have to remind myself that's it's only a first go and baby steps often work best. 
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Feral Feline
Well-known member
I asked my dentist how much his magnifying glasses cost ...
$5000 from the dental supply store.
That's not dental, that's just mental!
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
I made a 1/1 cassette for a friend of a recording I did 5 years ago of my solo band at the time
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
Now it's this ancient mandolin that had a tuner button replaced last week. The owner wasn't happy that the repair person wouldn't age the button so that's my job now
vigilante398
Authorized Vendor
I'm obnoxious.
