My wife just picked up one of these beasts a few days ago. (paid $200) and the only issue that it started with: seized flywheel for the capstan. She freed that up and it then ran for about 5 minutes before grinding to a halt. After doing some searching we found your video and the one by 12voltvids and ID'd the run capacitor. I patched in one from a junk deck and it took off 100%. (I have the correct run cap ordered in) Love how you show the detail. Also that rotating surface/platform is a fantastic idea.....
So I have this unit and replaced the belt a few years back. All the old tapes from original set up played fine. Had it serviced and the fellow who worked on it cleaned the fly wheel and the reel played tapes faster. Looked at belt placement of the pulley which has 2 different diameter wheels you can place the belt on. I moved it to the smaller of the 2 wheels and all my tapes now sound good. That being said which sized diameter should be used? It was my understanding they used 2 different sizes pullys for use with European vs American power and you flipped a switch and set belt to certain pulley size depending on where you were located. This model has no switch to do so. Guess only way to test is get a studio tape and see if it sounds ok or send back and let them run tests. Would hate to know all my old tapes were recorded on lower speeds than I originally thought but would also want to know my new recordings, some of which are live shows are at the correct speed. Anyway long ramble...now I have to go work on relay that needs fixin' on it.
Anyone has the exact drawing with dimensions of the capstan pulley? Mine has cracks and actually expanded so I can't measure the exact dimensions and then the recorder will run to fast or to slow as speed is not adjustable.
Hey Matt, did you have any thoughts about what might be going on with my Teac A-3440 that I talked to you about just before Christmas? Many thanks Glyn
