Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Vauxfan2k · 28th Mar 2019, 10:46 pm

I'm led to believe nearly all of these particular models suffered with the same issue as the one I have. The copper rings on the bottom half of the drum assembly have corroded and worn away.

Has anyone managed to resolve this? Guessing that I dont stand much of a chance of finding a replacement set of heads.

Andy Doz · 29th Mar 2019, 3:57 pm

Were's the wear? Looks like the normal rotary transformer windings from where I'm sat ...

Vauxfan2k · 29th Mar 2019, 4:33 pm

2nd ring in from the outside. On the bottom drum the wire has actually come away and creased, causing the lip that the top drum is catching on.

Red to black · 29th Mar 2019, 10:01 pm

Never heard of this issue myself either?
the rotary windings never/cannot touch normally anyway, never had any problems on these, nor any other machine come to that, new one on me

jayceebee · 29th Mar 2019, 10:23 pm

Me neither, only lower drums I ever changed were due to either wear or seized/noisy bearings. If you're talking about the the winding that appears to be a single loop of tinned copper, as a test try pushing some small bits of blu-tack into the slot so the wire is not protruding above the wall sides so it doesn't catch on the rotating upper drum. Reassemble and give it a try. Nothing to loose.

1100 man · 29th Mar 2019, 10:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red to black

Never heard of this issue myself either?
the rotary windings never/cannot touch normally anyway

Ah, but they can of they come unglued! The windings in all rotary transformers are only held in the grove by glue.

When I used to service timelapse VCR's, there was one model (Panasonic I think) that suffered regularly from this problem. The glue would fail, the windings would lift and rub against the upper set of windings. You could hear a ticking noise as the upper drum rotated.

Replacing head drum bearings was also a standard procedure as they had a hard life rotating 24hrs a day for years on end. Timelapse really did push VCR mechanics to the limit and beyond. Some makes coped very much better than others! The Mitsubishi machines were particularly good.

All the best
Nick

jayceebee · 29th Mar 2019, 11:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100 man

Ah, but they can of they come unglued! The windings in all rotary transformers are only held in the grove by glue.

When I used to service timelapse VCR's, there was one model (Panasonic I think) that suffered regularly from this problem. The glue would fail

I wonder if it was the same glue they used to stick the felt onto the back tension band on the NV2000

ben · 29th Mar 2019, 11:26 pm

I had this exact issue in the late 90s with that model. I had stored it for about a year, working, then when I got it out again and tried to use it there was noise and terrible picture interference. You could hear the scraping noise from within the drum. Ended up scrapping it when I moved house.

Welsh Anorak · 30th Mar 2019, 11:44 am

I think they failed due to head cleaning solvent getting in there - could be IPA or something in one of those wet cleaners - never found out.

Vauxfan2k · 30th Mar 2019, 5:46 pm

Il need to carefully reshape the wire so that it's perfectly round before attempting to stick in place. As mentioned above it does appear to be the glue that's failed.

The assembly of the heads are overly complicated on this machine, compared to others.

Most machines simply removing the brass nut at the bottom of the spindle would allow you to withdraw the upper drum complete in chassis. But no not this one.

jayceebee · 31st Mar 2019, 9:59 pm

The upper drum containing the heads on this machine are not difficult to remove at all, there is no need to dismantle the rotary transformer section. All that needs to be done is to unsolder the leads from the tags, remove the two screws then lift of the upper drum. If it doesn't come off easily then a head puller may be required or just a gentle bit of heat from a hairdryer might help.

Reassembly is again fairly straightforward but the similar head fitted to it's big brother, the six head 3V43 with it's twelve wires can be tricky. Cutting a narrow drinking straw and inserting the wires into short pieces of it can help here.

John.

Vauxfan2k · 1st Apr 2019, 8:28 pm

I had to separate the motor part to gain access to the contacts. Simply removing the top half of the heads as you suggest doesn't allow access to the area in question.

Vauxfan2k · 7th May 2019, 12:00 am

Pleased to say this machine is now fully working. I used good old loctite to glue the windings back in place. I did however have to add one extra washer to take up the gap between the lower and upper drum halves. Upon testing the machine displays perfectly with the tracking set dead centre.

I also had to strip the idler assembly and treat the rubber tyres with rubber renue. Seems parts for this particular deck are impossible to find online.

Good sound and picture, smooth and quiet operation from the deck too.

28th Mar 2019, 10:46 pm	#1
Vauxfan2k Hexode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Inverness, Highland, UK. Posts: 300	Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems I'm led to believe nearly all of these particular models suffered with the same issue as the one I have. The copper rings on the bottom half of the drum assembly have corroded and worn away. Has anyone managed to resolve this? Guessing that I dont stand much of a chance of finding a replacement set of heads. Attached Thumbnails

29th Mar 2019, 3:57 pm	#2
Andy Doz Hexode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 376	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems Were's the wear? Looks like the normal rotary transformer windings from where I'm sat ... __________________ andydoz.blogspot.com

29th Mar 2019, 4:33 pm	#3
Vauxfan2k Hexode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Inverness, Highland, UK. Posts: 300	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems 2nd ring in from the outside. On the bottom drum the wire has actually come away and creased, causing the lip that the top drum is catching on.

29th Mar 2019, 10:01 pm	#4
Red to black Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 2,476	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems Never heard of this issue myself either? the rotary windings never/cannot touch normally anyway, never had any problems on these, nor any other machine come to that, new one on me __________________ I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

29th Mar 2019, 10:23 pm	#5
jayceebee Heptode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 640	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems Me neither, only lower drums I ever changed were due to either wear or seized/noisy bearings. If you're talking about the the winding that appears to be a single loop of tinned copper, as a test try pushing some small bits of blu-tack into the slot so the wire is not protruding above the wall sides so it doesn't catch on the rotating upper drum. Reassemble and give it a try. Nothing to loose. Last edited by jayceebee; 29th Mar 2019 at 10:31 pm.

29th Mar 2019, 11:26 pm	#8
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems I had this exact issue in the late 90s with that model. I had stored it for about a year, working, then when I got it out again and tried to use it there was noise and terrible picture interference. You could hear the scraping noise from within the drum. Ended up scrapping it when I moved house. __________________ Regards, Ben.

30th Mar 2019, 11:44 am	#9
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,928	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems I think they failed due to head cleaning solvent getting in there - could be IPA or something in one of those wet cleaners - never found out. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

30th Mar 2019, 5:46 pm	#10
Vauxfan2k Hexode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Inverness, Highland, UK. Posts: 300	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems Il need to carefully reshape the wire so that it's perfectly round before attempting to stick in place. As mentioned above it does appear to be the glue that's failed. The assembly of the heads are overly complicated on this machine, compared to others. Most machines simply removing the brass nut at the bottom of the spindle would allow you to withdraw the upper drum complete in chassis. But no not this one.

31st Mar 2019, 9:59 pm	#11
jayceebee Heptode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 640	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems The upper drum containing the heads on this machine are not difficult to remove at all, there is no need to dismantle the rotary transformer section. All that needs to be done is to unsolder the leads from the tags, remove the two screws then lift of the upper drum. If it doesn't come off easily then a head puller may be required or just a gentle bit of heat from a hairdryer might help. Reassembly is again fairly straightforward but the similar head fitted to it's big brother, the six head 3V43 with it's twelve wires can be tricky. Cutting a narrow drinking straw and inserting the wires into short pieces of it can help here. John.

1st Apr 2019, 8:28 pm	#12
Vauxfan2k Hexode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Inverness, Highland, UK. Posts: 300	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems I had to separate the motor part to gain access to the contacts. Simply removing the top half of the heads as you suggest doesn't allow access to the area in question.

7th May 2019, 12:00 am	#13
Vauxfan2k Hexode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Inverness, Highland, UK. Posts: 300	Re: Ferguson Videostar 3V48 VCR head problems Pleased to say this machine is now fully working. I used good old loctite to glue the windings back in place. I did however have to add one extra washer to take up the gap between the lower and upper drum halves. Upon testing the machine displays perfectly with the tracking set dead centre. I also had to strip the idler assembly and treat the rubber tyres with rubber renue. Seems parts for this particular deck are impossible to find online. Good sound and picture, smooth and quiet operation from the deck too. Attached Thumbnails