Sony TC200 Reel to reel tape recorder.

[Righton!]

Hi,
I have recently picked up a Sony TC200 reel to reel tape recorder. Cosmetically it is very grubby and needs a good clean but mechanically and components wise, looks like its all there. The tapehead itself looks to be in good condition but would indeed need a good clean. I have inquired to a couple of restorers/repairers, but they have said/quoted that a full restoration would cost literally hundreds of pounds! which is way out of my price range. Following my confidence boost from fixing a Fidelity HF43 record player (with the help and advice from some good people on the forum) plus the wonders of YouTube (a very informative video of a TC200 restoration). I am considering the possibility of restoring it myself. Any thoughts/ideas would be much appreciated... Kind regards .

[paulsherwin]

Apart from cleaning it externally, I would fit a standard 13A plug with a 3A fuse and plug it in after checking that the mains voltage setting is correct. There's a good chance that there's nothing wrong with the electronics. It dates from 1964 so should have plastic film capacitors rather than waxies. Have a look inside first though - somebody may have whipped all the valves out.

The deck will almost certainly need a clean and relube, and it may need new belts and/or idlers too. All the pots and switches will need cleaning with Servisol.

I agree with the advice you've been given - a commercial repair and restoration of this recorder wouldn't be economic. You might as well have some fun with it - you will gain experience if nothing else.

[Righton!]

Thank you & hello Paul,
You've pretty much explained exactly what i have in mind!.Although i thought it best to put it out there on the forum to clarify if its the right thing to do & also get some more advice.Very good insight about the capacitors...and the valves being removed!,hadn't thought of that although i reckon they're still intact.I will open it up and have a really good check around before i consider doing anything drastic,and give it a good clean of course which it definitely needs!.If all seems well then i will fit a plug,and check the voltage (before fitting the plug!).Don't worry...i shall be VERY cautious and careful when doing this.Would love to get it working but as you say,it'll be a good learning curve & experience at least.Will keep you posted how i'm getting on with it .Many thanks & kind regards

[Welsh Anorak]

That seems a wise move as I suspect most of the damage would be due to inappropriate storage. Hopefully the rust is just cosmetic, but it will be worth checking for internal corrosion. If it passes the visual test, I'd be inclined to fit a new mains plug and lead - these old Japanese wires can go brittle - and plug it in. If all seems encouraging I'd let it run for a good few hours to loosen things up, then go for a light restoration.
Good luck - you'll learn a lot from this!

[Righton!]

Thanks & hello Glyn.Very wise & encouraging words.Will get on the case as soon as i find the time.Many thanks

[paulsherwin]

Glyn makes a good point - check the cable carefully to make sure it hasn't deteriorated and started to crumble. If it's still flexible and undamaged then you can leave it as it is, but if in any doubt then change it.

[Righton!]

Thank you both for the sound advice.I opened it up yesterday and amazingly the mechanics & electrical components look in very good shape!.Even the idler belts are in good condition.I suspect judging by the plug that it has not been used for a VERY long time,probably since the 60's/early 70's which i guess is good from a wear & tear point of view & may not have been used a great deal.Externally and cosmetically it needs a VERY good clean and perhaps a touch of paint where the rust spots are once sanded down.Lucky the casing can be pretty much separated from the chassis which will be great for cleaning as it won't interfere with any electrics.Even the speaker grids are removable too!.Will upload some photos soon.Many thanks.

[SteveCG]

If you have not powered it up already then it might be a good idea to power it up via a simple 'lamp limiter' (see many mentions of this on the forum elsewhere) since from what you say it may not have been powered up for a long time. Some of the electrolytic capacitors may need a gentle re-introduction to use.

[paulsherwin]

I suspect the OP doesn't have a lamp limiter, but it's always a good idea to use one when first applying power to anything if one is available. They aren't difficult to make. There are several threads discussing them if you search the forum.

[Righton!]

Ok.Thats great advice!.Thank you both.Have done some research on how to make one and sought out the various bits and pieces required,so will look into it as i've not powered up the reel to reel as yet.Have managed to upload more photos of inside the reel to reel.To my untrained eye it all looks ok apart from a little rust on 1 or 2 of the idler wheels.Although cosmetically it obviously needs a really good clean!.Any thoughts/opinions welcome.Thanks again and kind regards.Mark

[paulsherwin]

All you need for a minimal lamp limiter is a mains plug, mains socket, lampholder and some cable. Make sure you wire everything correctly though. A miswired lamp limiter is much more dangerous than no lamp limiter at all.

[Righton!]

Had trouble uploading the photos.So here goes.

[Righton!]

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

All you need for a minimal lamp limiter is a mains plug, mains socket, lampholder and some cable. Make sure you wire everything correctly though. A miswired lamp limiter is much more dangerous than no lamp limiter at all.

Yes.Will definitely make sure of that Paul.Thank you

[paulsherwin]

Looks good internally.

[Righton!]

[SteveCG]

By the way, make sure you use an old style mains filament bulb (say 40 watt) in the lamp limiter. LED lights or the little 'efficiency' fluorescent types which flooded the market a few years ago are definitely wrong for their role in the limiter.

[Righton!]

Ok. Will do. Many thanks.