Betamax PALsite: SL-F30 : Technical

SL-F30

1984

Technical

Stops in play or record

This is becoming a more common problem these days. The first thing to check is that there is adaquate torque on the take up spool. If there isn't much then the cause is usually down to two contributing factors.

The first is the drive pendulum which can cease up and the second more serious factor, is wear on the reel motor bottom bearing. The pendulum is simple to replace but the bearing is moulded into the chassis and replacement necessitates that the entire chassis be replaced. One possible compromise is to fit a small peice of plastic into the bottom bearing to raise the rotor and allow it to move freely. Sony supply a repair kit for this purpose.
The diagram above shows the pendulum assembly

No head rotation

You may find that the head drum fails to rotate. This is due to a problem with the Hall effect device on the head drum motor which is secured by a blob of glue which tends to become conductive especially if it absorbs moisture. The best remedy is to remove the glue from the device. To do this first remove the rotor from the bottom of the drum by undoing the lock-nut. Sometimes, however, it is enough to wait for the damp to dry out.

Deck goes into rewind

This can be caused by failure of the tape end sensor. You can check this by unpluging the sensor at its socket on the PCB.

Failure to load a tape

The cassette carriage can fail to operate. This is caused by breakage of the plastic gears in the side of the machanism. When this happens they have to be replaced.

Power supply problems

This VCR uses a STR1229A (IC001) at the heart of its power supply. If you experience PSU problems then this is the first thing to check. Be sure to check outputs 'onload' as the regulator can otherwise appear OK.

Quick fault guide

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Fault Solution

Capstan motor speed varying in play. Check capacitor C316, if ok check IC303 (UPC455BC)

Grainy pictures in e-e mode. Suspect failure of the tuner BTS81

Intermittant or erratic clock/timer operation. Check timer chip IC001 on panel TM57

Intermittant or no lacing/unlacing. Check for failure of the shuttle block

Intermittant or no remote control operation. Check capacitor C5 for dry joints

No or poor capstan servo lock, tracking control inoperative. Check transistor Q345 for failure

No or poor playback pictures. Check capacitor C156 on panel YC15

No capstan motor rotation, no playback record. Check resistor R406 for open circuit

No functions. Check for failure of IC602 (LA7205) on the SS34 board

No power on, clock OK Check IC601 for failure

Poor servo lock on playback of own recordings. Check the control track head for contamination or wear

Preset tuner functions inoperative. Check for failure of IC005

Stops after few seconds in the rewind a review modes. Modification: change resistor R2 to 33kohms (panel RD20)

Tape transport erratic / intertitant or no rewind / fast forward. Check the pinch arm assembly and the brake solenoid

Will not enter record mode, record tab safety switch ok. Check IC601 on the SS34 panel for failure

No picture Check the drum

Squiggly patterning on playback until machine has warmed up. Replace all three 47uF and both 22uF capacitors in the Power Supply, with high quality parts rated at +85C.

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