Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

dj_fivos_sak · 27th Apr 2018, 5:32 pm

Hi! A few days ago I got a Sony SL-T50ME Betamax VCR which plays and records perfectly but has a minor issue with the tracking control. If I turn it to the right, the VCR loses sync (capstan speed goes out of control), like the effect of a missing control track. Can anyone tell me what the issue might be?

Fivos

vhs doctor · 27th Apr 2018, 10:07 pm

Check the resistance of the tracking control potensiometer. Maybe the resistance is higher or you have o/c on the right area ( when the vcr have sync problems)

dj_fivos_sak · 27th Apr 2018, 11:46 pm

Hi. I solved the problem. The tracking center adjustment on the servo board SS-20 was off by a mile.

vhs doctor · 28th Apr 2018, 1:28 am

Are you sure that now works OK?
The center adjustment how was set off. I mean how was the potensiometer of the tracking center change value by it self. Are you sure that it is not cracked due to years?

dj_fivos_sak · 28th Apr 2018, 4:02 pm

Considering the machine was dropped in the mail service, this might caused the problem, but I doubt it. I don't have an ESR meter to measure the capacitors but yeah, I'm sure it works perfectly now. I tried tapes recorded from different machines and they play fine with the tracking control at the center.

27th Apr 2018, 5:32 pm	#1
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue Hi! A few days ago I got a Sony SL-T50ME Betamax VCR which plays and records perfectly but has a minor issue with the tracking control. If I turn it to the right, the VCR loses sync (capstan speed goes out of control), like the effect of a missing control track. Can anyone tell me what the issue might be? Fivos

27th Apr 2018, 10:07 pm	#2
vhs doctor Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Athens, Greece. Posts: 173	Re: Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue Check the resistance of the tracking control potensiometer. Maybe the resistance is higher or you have o/c on the right area ( when the vcr have sync problems)

27th Apr 2018, 11:46 pm	#3
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue Hi. I solved the problem. The tracking center adjustment on the servo board SS-20 was off by a mile. Attached Thumbnails

28th Apr 2018, 1:28 am	#4
vhs doctor Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Athens, Greece. Posts: 173	Re: Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue Are you sure that now works OK? The center adjustment how was set off. I mean how was the potensiometer of the tracking center change value by it self. Are you sure that it is not cracked due to years?

28th Apr 2018, 4:02 pm	#5
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony SL-T50ME minor tracking issue Considering the machine was dropped in the mail service, this might caused the problem, but I doubt it. I don't have an ESR meter to measure the capacitors but yeah, I'm sure it works perfectly now. I tried tapes recorded from different machines and they play fine with the tracking control at the center.