I have a Becker BE1480 tape deck in my car and lately it has eaten two cassettes. I'm thinking that I'd need to replace the pinch rollers in this 32 yo deck which would seem to be long overdue.
When I open the deck I see a tiny plastic disc holding the pinch roller in place. My question is: can I pry/pop off the disc in order to replace the pinch roller or should I not tamper with this piece?
When I open the deck I see a tiny plastic disc holding the pinch roller in place. My question is: can I pry/pop off the disc in order to replace the pinch roller or should I not tamper with this piece?
The eating of tapes is generally due to the take-up reel not being driven by the mechanism.
I'm assuming that the problem causes a significant length of tape to be pulled out of the cassette.
I'm assuming that the problem causes a significant length of tape to be pulled out of the cassette.
I’d say it’s about 2 inches of tape that are taken out when the deck automatically ejects the cassette. When I push in the cassette the deck toggles between side 1 and 2 a couple of times and then ejects.
How would I know if the take-up reel is not being driven? And how would I fix that?
How would I know if the take-up reel is not being driven? And how would I fix that?
Can you see the tape mechanism while it's running?
If so, look to see if the take-up reel is trying to take up the tape in either direction. If it's not, there could be several problems. I'm not familiar with this mechanism. If it's not taking up (unless someone can give definitive help), you'll need to pull the mechanism and look for broken belts or other problems. The problem could even be a weak clutch in the take-up reel table.
Page 75 of my site gives the basics of cassette mechanisms.
http://www.bcae1.com
If so, look to see if the take-up reel is trying to take up the tape in either direction. If it's not, there could be several problems. I'm not familiar with this mechanism. If it's not taking up (unless someone can give definitive help), you'll need to pull the mechanism and look for broken belts or other problems. The problem could even be a weak clutch in the take-up reel table.
Page 75 of my site gives the basics of cassette mechanisms.
http://www.bcae1.com
Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate it. I have the deck opened so I can see the mechanism, but I’ll need to bring the deck out to the car and connect it to observe the mechanism when I insert a cassette. Will try it out when I have the time this week and report back.
Thanks
Thanks
I observed the mechanism when I inserted a cassette and the take-up reel appeared to function correctly. However, I noticed that a hair (my wife's it looked like) had been caught around one of the take-up reels and other gears. I was able to extract it and it seems like that fixed the issue.
While I have the deck out I figure that I may as well replace the pinch rollers — they don't feel terribly hardened, but I may as well replace them before they become an issue. Are there other points of maintenance that I can do myself? I'm thinking lubrication or belt replacements? Any thoughts on this or pointers to online resources are much appreciated.
Thanks
While I have the deck out I figure that I may as well replace the pinch rollers — they don't feel terribly hardened, but I may as well replace them before they become an issue. Are there other points of maintenance that I can do myself? I'm thinking lubrication or belt replacements? Any thoughts on this or pointers to online resources are much appreciated.
Thanks
For many old tape decks, you can find repair kits on ebay but you'd likely need to model of the mechanism, not the head unit.
If it's working, I'd leave it as is.
If you replace belts, you can use a string to measure the length of belt you'll need. The belt itself isn't always a good reference. Buy one size on each side of the one you think you need.
You'll need to measure the cross-section of the belt with a dial caliper. It's likely something like 0.041"
Have you contacted Becker to see if they could help?
If it's working, I'd leave it as is.
If you replace belts, you can use a string to measure the length of belt you'll need. The belt itself isn't always a good reference. Buy one size on each side of the one you think you need.
You'll need to measure the cross-section of the belt with a dial caliper. It's likely something like 0.041"
Have you contacted Becker to see if they could help?
Thanks for your help, Perry.
Since the units is working fine and the belt appears to be in fine shape, I'll leave as is like you suggest.
I did try to contact Becker, but apparently they don't sell parts. I did go ahead and order replacements for the pinch rollers through another seller — seems like they should be easy to replace.
Since the units is working fine and the belt appears to be in fine shape, I'll leave as is like you suggest.
I did try to contact Becker, but apparently they don't sell parts. I did go ahead and order replacements for the pinch rollers through another seller — seems like they should be easy to replace.