Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chemicalchris10 · 28th Nov 2019, 9:13 pm

Hi, I’m new to the forum.

I’ve just started to finally refurb my N4510 which I bought new in the early 70s. I thought someone could guide me. I’ve read through the N4510 forum notes, but it appears to have been closed.

I’ve removed all the evil goo and the tape transport motors run. Tony has provided useful info on the flip flop transistors, which I will change, just wondering if it would be a good idea to change some electrolytics, and if so which ones?

Thanks.

Michael Maurice · 29th Nov 2019, 12:22 am

Personally, I find capacitors from this era to be reliable. I wouldn't bother to change any capacitors unless they were proved to be faulty.

Chemicalchris10 · 29th Nov 2019, 5:25 pm

Wow that was quick, thanks a lot. I’ll leave be. Would it be useful to clean all the micro switch contacts? I’ve noticed that WD (of the 40 fame) do a specific cleaner for electronics??

Michael Maurice · 1st Dec 2019, 12:04 am

I would leave everything alone unless you had specific faults, you don’t want switch cleaner breaking up the plastic as some do.

ben · 1st Dec 2019, 1:26 am

What is the current working condition of this machine? Is there anything it doesn't do, or doesn't do well enough?

Chemicalchris10 · 1st Dec 2019, 4:48 pm

Thanks for the advice Michael. I'll wait 'til I finally power up.

I've separated the black electronics board from the deck. I'm currently working (mainly) through the deck part, cleaning all the evil goo off everything. I have 3 working motors (one of the reel motors sounds a little arthritic when starting, but runs smoothly). The PSU is delivering, after I freed up the seized mains switch, though the voltages at A.B and C are a little higher than the service manual says + and -27V rather than 22V? (my multi meter is v old though and I'm not sure how reliable). I've removed the 6 AC128 transistors off the 2 flip flop boards, and will fit BC640 replacements when they arrive. I have just received replacement belts from Italy, and that's about it at the moment. I've had the machine from new, £140,it's never had any work done to it.

I haven't switched any power to anything past the PSU yet. Any advice would be good thanks.

Chemicalchris10 · 10th Dec 2019, 7:41 pm

New transistors are now fitted. The motors are a little tired, but everything works except:-

1. All control buttons light and work except the Rewind. Rewind does work if I hold the button down, the light behind the button doesn’t work.

2. There is a hum on the headphones.

I’ll be trying the record facility when I rig up a Mike. I think my tapes are “well cooked”. I need to run them through on fast forward to loosen everything.

Anyone’s thoughts would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Edward Huggins · 11th Dec 2019, 1:48 pm

I can't understand why your are doing all this work, especially changing out the transistors, until you see how well it would run as it is?

Chemicalchris10 · 11th Dec 2019, 11:26 pm

Hi Edward.
Basically I’ve been looking at work already done by others on the same machine and following the basic stuff that they’ve found necessary.
I’ve only freed up the reel motors and mains switch which were seized and removed all the black goo that was the drive belts. More than one person has said that the flip flop transistors were v inadequate after so long, and all controls were stabilised by using the BC640 replacements.....so I did that and they function well.
I’ve enjoyed getting back to a bit of soldering etc, after a 30 ish year gap. That’s why I’ve done what I’ve done!!

28th Nov 2019, 9:13 pm	#1
Chemicalchris10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: St Alban d’Hurtieres, France Posts: 5	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player Hi, I’m new to the forum. I’ve just started to finally refurb my N4510 which I bought new in the early 70s. I thought someone could guide me. I’ve read through the N4510 forum notes, but it appears to have been closed. I’ve removed all the evil goo and the tape transport motors run. Tony has provided useful info on the flip flop transistors, which I will change, just wondering if it would be a good idea to change some electrolytics, and if so which ones? Thanks. Last edited by Station X; 28th Nov 2019 at 9:24 pm. Reason: New thread started.

29th Nov 2019, 12:22 am	#2
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Philips N45100 Reel to Reel Tape Player Personally, I find capacitors from this era to be reliable. I wouldn't bother to change any capacitors unless they were proved to be faulty. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

29th Nov 2019, 5:25 pm	#3
Chemicalchris10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: St Alban d’Hurtieres, France Posts: 5	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player Wow that was quick, thanks a lot. I’ll leave be. Would it be useful to clean all the micro switch contacts? I’ve noticed that WD (of the 40 fame) do a specific cleaner for electronics??

1st Dec 2019, 12:04 am	#4
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player I would leave everything alone unless you had specific faults, you don’t want switch cleaner breaking up the plastic as some do. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

1st Dec 2019, 1:26 am	#5
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player What is the current working condition of this machine? Is there anything it doesn't do, or doesn't do well enough? __________________ Regards, Ben.

1st Dec 2019, 4:48 pm	#6
Chemicalchris10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: St Alban d’Hurtieres, France Posts: 5	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player Thanks for the advice Michael. I'll wait 'til I finally power up. I've separated the black electronics board from the deck. I'm currently working (mainly) through the deck part, cleaning all the evil goo off everything. I have 3 working motors (one of the reel motors sounds a little arthritic when starting, but runs smoothly). The PSU is delivering, after I freed up the seized mains switch, though the voltages at A.B and C are a little higher than the service manual says + and -27V rather than 22V? (my multi meter is v old though and I'm not sure how reliable). I've removed the 6 AC128 transistors off the 2 flip flop boards, and will fit BC640 replacements when they arrive. I have just received replacement belts from Italy, and that's about it at the moment. I've had the machine from new, £140,it's never had any work done to it. I haven't switched any power to anything past the PSU yet. Any advice would be good thanks.

10th Dec 2019, 7:41 pm	#7
Chemicalchris10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: St Alban d’Hurtieres, France Posts: 5	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player New transistors are now fitted. The motors are a little tired, but everything works except:- 1. All control buttons light and work except the Rewind. Rewind does work if I hold the button down, the light behind the button doesn’t work. 2. There is a hum on the headphones. I’ll be trying the record facility when I rig up a Mike. I think my tapes are “well cooked”. I need to run them through on fast forward to loosen everything. Anyone’s thoughts would be gratefully received. Thanks

11th Dec 2019, 1:48 pm	#8
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player I can't understand why your are doing all this work, especially changing out the transistors, until you see how well it would run as it is? __________________ Edward.

11th Dec 2019, 11:26 pm	#9
Chemicalchris10 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: St Alban d’Hurtieres, France Posts: 5	Re: Philips N4510 Reel to Reel Tape Player Hi Edward. Basically I’ve been looking at work already done by others on the same machine and following the basic stuff that they’ve found necessary. I’ve only freed up the reel motors and mains switch which were seized and removed all the black goo that was the drive belts. More than one person has said that the flip flop transistors were v inadequate after so long, and all controls were stabilised by using the BC640 replacements.....so I did that and they function well. I’ve enjoyed getting back to a bit of soldering etc, after a 30 ish year gap. That’s why I’ve done what I’ve done!!