Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Libratron · 24th Apr 2014, 6:32 pm

Hello Everybody.

I have this head checker, and i have a question.
It's working only the model of video disk (and vcr) on the user manual?
I scanned a complete manual.

Can anyone help me?

Thank You.

Libratron

toshiba tony · 25th Apr 2014, 3:18 pm

We used to have one of these and as far as I remember it worked on the inductance of the head. It was not terribly accurate, I seem to remember viewing the resultant picture gave a better indication of the state of the heads. We used it on the c5\6\ and 7 range of machines, and it soon found it's way on the obsolete pile of equipment, just where I'm heading any day now.

Libratron · 25th Apr 2014, 10:51 pm

Thank You Toshiba.

The head checker is working only, for the VCR model in the user manual?
Or for all Betamax VCR?

Thanks again.

Libra

toshiba tony · 26th Apr 2014, 7:57 am

Hello
Yes, it was only suitable for use with the heads listed.

Libratron · 26th Apr 2014, 1:47 pm

Thank you very much Toshiba.

Libra

Maarten · 26th Apr 2014, 9:22 pm

In practice, most other heads will have about the same inductance as those listed in the manual. Universal head testers often had only 2 ranges for all types of heads, and they were reasonably accurate most of the time.

To know for sure, measure a few new heads to get an idea on which scale to take measurements of possibly worn heads of the same type.

Libratron · 27th Apr 2014, 1:24 pm

Thanks Maarten.
I mesured a new Betamax video head disk?

Thank You.

Libra

25th Apr 2014, 3:18 pm	#2
toshiba tony Heptode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 978	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker We used to have one of these and as far as I remember it worked on the inductance of the head. It was not terribly accurate, I seem to remember viewing the resultant picture gave a better indication of the state of the heads. We used it on the c5\6\ and 7 range of machines, and it soon found it's way on the obsolete pile of equipment, just where I'm heading any day now.

25th Apr 2014, 10:51 pm	#3
Libratron Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Martino di Lupari, Veneto, Italy. Posts: 204	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker Thank You Toshiba. The head checker is working only, for the VCR model in the user manual? Or for all Betamax VCR? Thanks again. Libra

26th Apr 2014, 7:57 am	#4
toshiba tony Heptode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 978	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker Hello Yes, it was only suitable for use with the heads listed.

26th Apr 2014, 1:47 pm	#5
Libratron Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Martino di Lupari, Veneto, Italy. Posts: 204	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker Thank you very much Toshiba. Libra

26th Apr 2014, 9:22 pm	#6
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,204	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker In practice, most other heads will have about the same inductance as those listed in the manual. Universal head testers often had only 2 ranges for all types of heads, and they were reasonably accurate most of the time. To know for sure, measure a few new heads to get an idea on which scale to take measurements of possibly worn heads of the same type.

27th Apr 2014, 1:24 pm	#7
Libratron Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Martino di Lupari, Veneto, Italy. Posts: 204	Re: Sony SL-5151; Betamax Video Head Checker Thanks Maarten. I mesured a new Betamax video head disk? Thank You. Libra