Help with ALBA R17 Reel to Reel - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

greenman · 26th Jan 2014, 3:42 pm

Hi All,
I am trying to fix an Alba R17 reel to reel which seems to work ok apart from really low volume (barely audible), using the monitor socket which I presume is the headphone socket isn't any louder. Started by cleaning heads and wheels, the belts are quite floppy so they are possibly no good. Looking inside there is a valve which is lit really dimly and another larger valve that is not lit up, Do you think if I can replace the valves it may work? I have attached a few pics to show the model and valves. I would be very grateful for any help you can provide. My reason for trying this is to listen to old tapes of people who are no longer with us.
Many Thanks Rob (greenman).

Steve_P · 26th Jan 2014, 5:19 pm

Are you OK to attempt this? Not in Insult in any way, shape or form but an honest answer required.

If it's not lit, then the heater could have gone. The valve type here is an ECL86 by the way. If this is not working then you won't get any output from the speaker.

There are a few capacitors that need to be changed too - the circuit is up top there by the way. Look on here for advice on this model using the search bar on top.

Be warned - this machine has a very cheap way of switching from Play to Record and it does not do the ECL86 any good if it is set up wrong. I know...

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=58647

Nice little machine actually.

Cheers,

Steve P.

llama · 26th Jan 2014, 5:21 pm

Hi Rob and welcome.

This should be straightforward to get going. Those BSR decks are quite reliable. As I remember, the drive is via idler wheels rather than a belt - the belt being for the turns counter and not important.

Low volume from the monitor socket may not be a fault as it's probably intended to drive a valve amplifier with an input impedance of 1 M Ohms rather than the 30 Ohms of your headphones (typically). That is several orders of magnitude.

All of us here would recommend changing the grid coupling capacitor of the output valve. It'll be between 0.01 uF and 0.1 uF and rated at perhaps 250 Volts. These tend to leak electrically and damage the valve and many associated components.

We're here to help.
Graham

greenman · 30th Jan 2014, 12:02 pm

Thanks for the answers chaps, iI'll do some more searching on the forum before I attempt anything. Out of interest are there any members in the South Yorkshire area that would attempt a repair on this machine if I'm not capable, also would you be able to recommend a shop or member who can convert the tapes I have to DC.

Cheers Rob(greenman).

26th Jan 2014, 3:42 pm	#1
greenman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Help with ALBA R17 Reel to Reel Hi All, I am trying to fix an Alba R17 reel to reel which seems to work ok apart from really low volume (barely audible), using the monitor socket which I presume is the headphone socket isn't any louder. Started by cleaning heads and wheels, the belts are quite floppy so they are possibly no good. Looking inside there is a valve which is lit really dimly and another larger valve that is not lit up, Do you think if I can replace the valves it may work? I have attached a few pics to show the model and valves. I would be very grateful for any help you can provide. My reason for trying this is to listen to old tapes of people who are no longer with us. Many Thanks Rob (greenman). Attached Thumbnails

26th Jan 2014, 5:19 pm	#2
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Help with ALBA R17 Reel to Reel Are you OK to attempt this? Not in Insult in any way, shape or form but an honest answer required. If it's not lit, then the heater could have gone. The valve type here is an ECL86 by the way. If this is not working then you won't get any output from the speaker. There are a few capacitors that need to be changed too - the circuit is up top there by the way. Look on here for advice on this model using the search bar on top. Be warned - this machine has a very cheap way of switching from Play to Record and it does not do the ECL86 any good if it is set up wrong. I know... https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=58647 Nice little machine actually. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

26th Jan 2014, 5:21 pm	#3
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: Help with ALBA R17 Reel to Reel Hi Rob and welcome. This should be straightforward to get going. Those BSR decks are quite reliable. As I remember, the drive is via idler wheels rather than a belt - the belt being for the turns counter and not important. Low volume from the monitor socket may not be a fault as it's probably intended to drive a valve amplifier with an input impedance of 1 M Ohms rather than the 30 Ohms of your headphones (typically). That is several orders of magnitude. All of us here would recommend changing the grid coupling capacitor of the output valve. It'll be between 0.01 uF and 0.1 uF and rated at perhaps 250 Volts. These tend to leak electrically and damage the valve and many associated components. We're here to help. Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

30th Jan 2014, 12:02 pm	#4
greenman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Help with ALBA R17 Reel to Reel Thanks for the answers chaps, iI'll do some more searching on the forum before I attempt anything. Out of interest are there any members in the South Yorkshire area that would attempt a repair on this machine if I'm not capable, also would you be able to recommend a shop or member who can convert the tapes I have to DC. Cheers Rob(greenman).