Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

Hello everyone,

https://youtu.be/Fcw9TxgvKJA

I have a lovely Sony C20 that has an intermittent fault. All functions are fine except on-occasion, unlace is leaving tape loose in the machine. This only seems to happen if PLAY/FWD is in use before the eject button is pressed. It is also much more frequent a problem when the machine is warm/has been playing tapes for 15mins+

Interestingly if I get the idler to be on the supply spool when eject is pressed, the problem doesn't occur.

I have oiled the lacing ring AND the supply/take-up spools plus checked the idler - seems to flip about with ease.

Any ideas? I've seen this on the Sanyos but not on the Sonys.

Thanks in advance

Rob

Re: Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

There's a known issue with the pendulum idler mechanism in these models which can be hard to repair these days. There are some details on the Betamax Palsite.

https://www.palsite.com/slc20tech.html

Re: Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

Thanks Timtape. I did look there and they talk about checking a resistor and a transistor (2SC10613). They don't say what board this is on and I don't have the service manual for the C20.

I don't think it's the idler (pendulum) bearing but I will check that out too

Re: Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

Hi Rob

Q334 (2SC1061) is located in the SS-16 (syscon & servo) board.

Regards,

Fivos

Re: Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

I had this problem with a c30. Intermittent loop of tape on eject. I had to lubricate the idler on it shaft and also apply heat to it/bend it as it was slightly warped and wasn't always making proper contact with the spool table.

Re: Sony C20 Betamax Unlace issue
 

Fivos/Ben,. Thank you. I'll investigate both avenues.