RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help


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RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help

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Tiger Mimi
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Nov 17, 2009, 7:19 PM

Post #1 of 27 (6464 views)
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RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help	Can't Post

Hi! I found this thing yesterday and even after 29 years, it's still working... but I need to learn how to take care of it. And there is a problem with the sound, it is so not loud enough that I have to put the maximum volume to hear something. There's also a lil' squeaky sound comming from the vcr (not from the tv). The picture looks perfect though. Does it need to be clean? how do I do that? I don't know nothing about these things but i'm willing to learn. Thanks 

Here's some pic...

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/...063769_7856354_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/...063770_3747304_n.jpg

(This post was edited by Tiger Mimi on Nov 17, 2009, 7:27 PM)

Tiger Mimi
New User

Nov 17, 2009, 11:06 PM

Post #2 of 27 (6460 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Since no one is able to help me. I decided to do it myself. I opened the vcr and removed a lot of dust. I cleaned it with alcool and a brush.

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 18, 2009, 2:16 AM

Post #3 of 27 (6458 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

No wonder people like to drink..it's alcool. Wink

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 18, 2009, 1:53 PM

Post #4 of 27 (6452 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

The alcool wasn't for me :P :P :P
I still have the same problem. I can see the image but the sound is so not loud. I tried three different tv, different cable but it doesn't change anything. I have another VCR but I want this one as my main VCR. I wanna watch Star Wars with that thing!

I'll post a video later to show you what's the problem.

Tiger Mimi
New User

Nov 18, 2009, 4:17 PM

Post #5 of 27 (6449 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I made a video to show you the problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss-pT4etQic

(This post was edited by Tiger Mimi on Nov 18, 2009, 5:09 PM)

jts1957
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Nov 19, 2009, 1:43 AM

Post #6 of 27 (6445 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Clean the Audio/Control Head. Also the Audio Play/Record switches. Wink

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 19, 2009, 1:28 PM

Post #7 of 27 (6442 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I already cleaned the audio/control head. As for the audio switches... what do you mean?

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 19, 2009, 3:41 PM

Post #8 of 27 (6439 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Follow the mechanical linkage when the record button is pressed. Should work one (or more) ALPS switches (long multi-section slide switches). Usually can be cleaned chemically by spraying contact cleaner into the switch and then "working" the switch by hand multiple times. Use paper towel to catch "run-off" of chemical. Wink

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 22, 2009, 4:06 PM

Post #9 of 27 (6423 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have no clue of what you're talking about. I think I can see a part of the switches. But I just don't know what or how to clean it.

Here is some picture of the inside of the beast:
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/...093947_3107583_n.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/...093948_7819346_n.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/...093950_3754793_n.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/...093951_7295823_n.jpg

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 22, 2009, 5:04 PM

Post #10 of 27 (6420 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

You're gonna have to remove the bottom cover plate and take out the 6-8 screws securing the bottom Printed Circuit boards. The boards should be secured to a metal frame which will allow them to open like a hinge.
There should be one or two (?PDT) Multiple Pole Double Throw spring return switches on, I believe, one of these boards.

Take more pictures of these boards and I may be able to more easily point them out. It's been many years since I worked on one of these VCR's. Cool

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 22, 2009, 6:09 PM

Post #11 of 27 (6418 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your help jts1957
Just like you said in your signature, google is gonna help me too. ;)
I'll send you more pictures.

Tiger Mimi
New User

Nov 22, 2009, 9:01 PM

Post #12 of 27 (6416 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did exactly what you said and I think I found the switches you were talking about. I can't press the rec button though. I cleaned the switches and then I tried to play some tape. It worked just fine for a while and even the sound was a bit better, with a lot of noise but better. But when I tried another tape, it completely stop working. The tape doesn't turn anymore.

I took some picture:
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/...096441_2459244_n.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/...096442_2510355_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/...096443_4626720_n.jpg
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/...096444_2563908_n.jpg
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/...3096445_836379_n.jpg

Tiger Mimi
New User

Nov 22, 2009, 9:22 PM

Post #13 of 27 (6413 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just found that lil' piece after the VHS stopped working. There is some grease ont it. Is this an important piece?

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/...096676_3599982_n.jpg

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 22, 2009, 11:22 PM

Post #14 of 27 (6410 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

*```````````````````````````````* (Ignore all of the: ```)
``* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ```````<<< >>>
*```````````````````````````````*

The foil pattern (on the PC board) for switch will look something like the above. It will be a long (2-3") metal, squared-off, "u" with a plastic stem aticking out either end and can slide (in the direction of arrows) and then return to starting position (spring loaded).

The other piece I believe belongs on the "basket," (tape hold fasts?) keeps the tape from sliding easily backwards (as holder is lowered into mechanism) once tape is slid into tape basket.

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 23, 2009, 1:40 AM

Post #15 of 27 (6406 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are those the switches you're talking about?
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/...098307_3246513_n.jpg

As for the lil' small part, I just don't understand where I should put it back. I just hope that even if it's broken, I can still put it back to make it work. It must have droped down when I was cleaning the bottom of the VCR.

And you must remember that I don't know nothing about electronics and english is my second language. But so far I've been able to find what you asked me for so there is still hope.

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 23, 2009, 4:56 AM

Post #16 of 27 (6405 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yep, that's them. Smile

A pix of left & right SIDES of cassette basket next. Wink

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 23, 2009, 3:56 PM

Post #17 of 27 (6399 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

I hope my pictures are ok.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/...102346_3999679_n.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/...102347_3424286_n.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/...102348_5303061_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/...102349_6572105_n.jpg

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 23, 2009, 5:32 PM

Post #18 of 27 (6398 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/...096676_3599982_n.jpg (Not sure why link not working here?)

Piece obviously damaged. Only other place I can recall them being used are at the basket pivot points. You can see a larger white one on either side of basket at lower pivot towards the front. Cool

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Location: Far, Far Away

(This post was edited by jts1957 on Nov 23, 2009, 5:35 PM)

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 23, 2009, 5:58 PM

Post #19 of 27 (6395 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

But right before I lost that part, the VCR was still working. It was blocking only once in a while. I tried to find the same piece in my newer VCR but I guess that there is too much difference between these two vcr. Is there supose to have two of these things? And I can't find the two big one that you're talking about. sorry

Ron.M
Veteran

Nov 24, 2009, 9:44 PM

Post #20 of 27 (6390 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Tiger Mimi & jts1957;....

I haven't seen one of these since Christ was born !!!

That has to be older than dirt...
Good to see you try to resurrect this one....

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you & your loved ones...

Later...Ron.M.... Cool

......
Veteran & Retired TV technician

Tiger Mimi
New User

Nov 24, 2009, 10:25 PM

Post #21 of 27 (6386 views)
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Re: [Ron.M] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great news!! I really don't know why but now that old VCR is working!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z80YnG5z8_Y

It still blocking once in a while but it's playing and the sound is a thousand time better!! Thanks to jts1957 who helped me a lot. Now I need to find out why it's making a lil' squeaky sound when it's playing, it's probably the reason why the tape does not always play. Now that it's working, I want it to keep it working. ;)
Thanks again jts1957! ;)

(This post was edited by Tiger Mimi on Nov 24, 2009, 10:38 PM)

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 26, 2009, 2:58 PM

Post #22 of 27 (6380 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi!

The VCR is still working, I even watched a movie last night with it. But it's still making a lil' squeaky sound, how can I fix that?

Thanks

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 26, 2009, 6:23 PM

Post #23 of 27 (6378 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Judicious use of oil (or power off unit will make quiet)? Crazy

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Location: Far, Far Away

Tiger Mimi
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Nov 26, 2009, 7:30 PM

Post #24 of 27 (6376 views)
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Re: [jts1957] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

Where should I oil it? and how?
Do you use WD-40?

jts1957
Veteran

Nov 27, 2009, 2:18 AM

Post #25 of 27 (6374 views)
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Re: [Tiger Mimi] RCA VBT501 1980 needs a lil' help [In reply to]	Can't Post

3-in-1 household oil NOT WD-40!

One "HALF-DROP" of oil on the axles of any part that turns in the mode in question. Remember, tapes themselves can also be noisy.

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Location: Far, Far Away

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