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Post by Mike the marksman on Jan 18, 2024 8:54:35 GMT -5
I mentioned it in another thread, but it occured to me that I've never asked about it specifically in this forum before. I have a 1977 EP-3 Echoplex that I bought when I was 16. It worked great for a number of years, then stayed at home while I was away in the military, and when I finally got it back it no longer worked. The motor is very slow to get up to speed. When I switch it on it won't move- I have to move the pinch roller off the capstan for it to start turning, and then slowly put the pinch roller back onto the capstan, and then it will run fairly well. It also no longer records or erases, it just plays back the last thing that was recorded to the tape. Any ideas on what the issues could be or who I should send it to? I'm sure it also needs new electrolytic caps as it's pretty noisy, but I can do that myself. Edited to add; OR does anybody want to trade a Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe for a busted EP-3?  |
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Post by reverendrob on Jan 18, 2024 9:06:51 GMT -5
Record head is fried (or the input circuit is). Erase head is fried (my first Plex had a dead erase head). The motor might be out of spec at this point or other parts need deep cleaning/replacement. You're going to need pretty much a total overhaul. My old people appear to still be in business, www.justservice.com/echoplex_repair.html |
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Post by Mike the marksman on Jan 18, 2024 9:11:37 GMT -5
That's what I was afraid of. I'm pretty much at the point where I don't really want (nor can I afford) to spend the money to have it overhauled, but I don't want to just trash it either..
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Post by reverendrob on Jan 18, 2024 9:32:24 GMT -5
I'd shell out the bucks then sell it as "recently refurbed."
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Post by Mike the marksman on Jan 18, 2024 10:01:22 GMT -5
Well, doing some looking around a new record/erase head is not *that* expensive. A buddy of mine's grandfather used to repair tape machines for Muzak and still tinkers with electronics, so I might have him take a look at it. I also wasn't aware that the capstan was belt-driven.. I thought it was direct-drive, so I could have a worn or stretched belt, That would explain the slipping noise it makes while struggling to get up to speed.
Hmm, maybe this thing is salvagable.
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pdf64
Wholenote
Posts: 556
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Post by pdf64 on Jan 18, 2024 10:22:17 GMT -5
Maybe sell it as ‘not working requires repair’, perhaps several ambitious Mr Fixits will enter a bidding war, may well get a better price and much less hassle than trying to get it repaired yourself.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on Jan 18, 2024 18:05:02 GMT -5
i have two and one the motor does not spin up so i keep it unbolted from the case and just lift it up wheen i turn it on and spin the fan blade with my finger and it goes up to speed and stays there. I also have a magnet up against the tape where it goes into the cartrage to insure it eareses my echos
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Post by reverendrob on Jan 18, 2024 20:34:00 GMT -5
Doesn't the erase head work? A magnet is not going to do good things to the tape or to the heads.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on Jan 19, 2024 11:18:40 GMT -5
Doesn't the erase head work? A magnet is not going to do good things to the tape or to the heads. the magnet has been on there for 20+ years with no issues |
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