[QuadList] Care and feeding of VTRs

Fri Aug 9 17:27:56 CDT 2013

What a great discussion about mechanical parts on quad decks. I love learning all this info! I don't have any quad deck myself just some U-Matics, Betacam SP and MII gear. But it is great info to pass on before it is lost.

I know this is a loaded question but what would be the most restorable and easiest quad to keep running, right now it looks like it's the VR-1200 or VR-2000.

Heck lets extend that question to a few other major formats, 3/4" 1" Beta SP and MII(if ANY MII deck is easy to keep going) 

Matt

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 9, 2013, at 3:49 PM, Roger Brett <rcbindy at comcast.net> wrote:

> 
> Boy some really good tips here from you all. Surely that will save someone some major hassles -- at least the diagnostic part, that is.
> 
> On the 1200/2000s watch for the vinyl tubing breakdown problem in the guide vacuum line, especially the short interconnect on the head.  Don't those breakdown chemicals sometimes cause nearby wiring to corrode also?  Larry, I think you already mentioned "air lines" as a general category and this certainly falls into that category.
> 
> Of course no road trip is complete without a pocket set of relay burnishing tools... ;-)
> 
> Roger Brett
> 
> 
> On 8/9/2013 10:39 AM, L.E. Odham wrote:
>> 
>> David's comment about checking the audio stack reminded me of one other area to check would be the roller (tape)guides. I have redone several on 1200s and RCAs. The bearings get tight and the roller stops turning. Either by soaking the bearings or replacing them. Also checking the guide shoulder on Ampexes for wear lines from the tape edge, espescially the one by the audio stack. Wear lines there can slice a tape edge to ribbons. RCA didn't have that problem with the shoulders because they used ceramic washers and sapphires.
>> 
>> Larry Odham
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: chill315 at aol.com
>> To: "Quad List" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
>> Sent: Friday, August 9, 2013 10:10:35 AM
>> Subject: Re: [QuadList] What mechanical parts would one need to get a    quad    working?
>> 
>> 
>> By good points.  Ampex used brass in the air system but I had not thought about the bowl.  How about the pressure limit switches as the diaphragm may have deteriorated?
>> 
>> I assume the AC wiring is the line cords for the different parts of the machine.  Amtec, Colortec, Proc, etc.
>> 
>> Chris Hill
>> 
>> On Aug 9, 2013, at 10:04 AM, "L.E. Odham" <leodham at centurylink.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> For VR-1200/2000, I would strongly suggest replacing ALL of the 120 vac frame wiring. The AC cabling insulation has a severe tendency to dry out and become brittle after 40 years. And then when its moved or flexed, the insulation cracks and falls off.
>>> I would also suggest changing the motor bearings in the head blower motor and guide servo motor.
>>> Also check the hi pressure air filter plastic bowl for hairline cracks and replace. I replaced the ones here with metal bowls, one of the plastic ones exploded several years ago-very dangerous.
>>> 
>>> I just finished a TR-600 here and ended up replacing ALL the air fittings. RCA used molded plastic fittings with brass inserts and they all had splits/cracks from age shrinkage. All were leaking air pressure. I replaced them all with standard brass npt and compression ferrule fittings.
>>> Cost was around $250.00, a little pricey, but no more air leaks.
>>> Also replaced the motor bearings in the head preamp cooling blower motor and all the muffin fans. They were all squeaking, a sure sign of wear.
>>> 
>>> Larry Odham
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: chill315 at aol.com
>>> To: "Quad List" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
>>> Sent: Friday, August 9, 2013 9:39:02 AM
>>> Subject: [QuadList] What mechanical parts would one need to get a quad    working?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I was thinking about it and realized that there are not that many parts required outside of heads.
>>> 
>>> I would want to probably consider the following as potential replacement items during a refurbishment.
>>> 
>>> Pinch roller, filters, felt for air handling, filters for the fans,  maybe some new fans, hoses in the air and cooling systems.  Possibly, reel hold down and tension arm parts for above and below deck.
>>> 
>>> The other parts that I can think of may include switches or buttons.
>>> 
>>> These are the items I see as most likely needing to be replaced.
>>> 
>>> Other than that, the rest of the system is all capacitors, transistors, etc.  those would only be touched if bad.
>>> 
>>> What other parts would you consider as needing possible replacement?
>>> 
>>> Chris Hill
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