Panasonic AG1970 shuts down after powering on?

[nesburf]

Hi all

Recently came into possession of a Panasonic AG1970 VCR.

When I initially went to power it on, the head would just start spinning and then after about 10 seconds it would shut down

I took off the bottom to check out the belts, wiggled them around and then this started happening. See youtube link - https://youtu.be/SDHa3DvCDX8

Any ideas of what's going on here?

Thanks

[radiokom]

Rule Nr 1 - always recap unknown VCR power supply before switch on. For now - recap PS and look what happens. It should be overhauled anyway so better find technician who can do it for you.

[timtape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

Rule Nr 1 - always recap unknown VCR power supply before switch on. For now - recap PS and look what happens. It should be overhauled anyway so better find technician who can do it for you.

It may require other things now. There's the whole mechanical side to a VCR. The sound of those gears tearing against each other suggests at best a mistimed mechanism and at worse - just listen to the tearing sound on the video - shredded gear teeth. Possibly new parts are no longer available.

For the OP's and others' future reference, if in the slightest doubt, (it is after all an old machine possibly long overdue for a good service) dont even turn it on.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtape

There's the whole mechanical side to a VCR. The sound of those gears tearing against each other suggests at best a mistimed mechanism and at worse - just listen to the tearing sound on the video - shredded gear teeth.

It should not act like that anyway, so basic problem is electronics. With my experience - if, after PS recap deck works, start to service it. If not - use it for parts. Failed PS can take along with it many things, you never know. There is really no reason to waste time to repair really damaged VCR. However I got my NV-HS1000 in super clean (like new condition inside and out) but with 2 things - broken loading motor link gear (20min for repair) and cold soldering at S-video output pin (it took a bit more time with some f*** words as additional tool, because it is placed in really bad accessible place. But maybe this was a reason why this deck was really unused. After routine few drops of oil on pinch roller stud and replacing grease under moving guides works like new. So all depends on skills. If you are not familiar with VCR do not try to repair it.

[timtape]

Old stiff grease on the sliding tracks can jam the P guides, causing damage to gears upstream. Whether we check and repair the electronics or the mechanicals first, both should be attended to before switchon and loading and playing a tape. Mechanical aspects can be checked with no functioning PSU.

[dpalomaki]

The sound is caused by issues in the mechanism. It could be timing, or other matters.

FWIW:The 1970 did NOT have the many electronics issues of the 1980, so the mechanism needs to be resolved first, before you destroy an important tape.

Did it ever work for you? or was it bought from an auction site where it was claimed to be in working condition? My recommendation would be to send it back for refund if you can, unless it was super cheap and you want to play at fixing it.

[radiokom]

Screeching is mechanical, of course. But to start to mess with mechanics the first you should be sure power supply is recapped and works as it should. And mechanical functions can be tested alone as timtape mentioned above.

[nesburf]

The VCR was bought of Marketplace by someone who claimed it worked. Someone who used to do Video transfers themselves. I took his word for it but should have tested it when I went to pick it up. I didn't pay a ton for it so I'm totally upset about it. Hoping I can repair it without breaking the bank.

I should also note that I don't get anything on the display when I turn it on either.

The SVHS light turns on and the power light turns on.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nesburf

I should also note that I don't get anything on the display when I turn it on either.

The SVHS light turns on and the power light turns on.

I believe PS is dying. With every switch on you damage it even more. If after recap all functions will not work, find technician who is able to repair switching PS.

[dpalomaki]

Quote:

....claimed it worked. Someone who used to do Video transfers themselves.

It may have - 20 years ago. The issue becomes how good are your electronic technician skills? your small scale mechanical skills? VCR repair skills? If poor or minimal and if you have no recourse on the seller, then consider cutting your losses in $$ and time and sell it as not working for parts. The more unskilled work on/in it the less it becomes worth to someone else.

[nesburf]

Thanks all, I've been in contact with the person I bought it from, and I've also taken it to a local electronics shop who has a guy who knows all about these Panasonic VCRs. He's done many cap replacements and has even worked on this specific machine. He's actually friends with the guy I bought the VCR from. He's going to look it over and see if it's worth fixing.

[radiokom]

I had exactly the same with one of Panasonic NV-FS1 (without line TBC but with good tracking adjustment and mechanics so can be used in specific situations along with ES10 and for rewind - very gentle on tape). Some time ago there was possible to get those cheap in Germany nearly in mint condition, but with burned power supplies (really bad design). So I bought a few and restored. In most cases recap was not enough to bring them to life. But one power supply, after a week, starting to act exactly as yours. I swapped PS from another deck and all was OK. I do not remember what was cause for that, but my friend repaired that along with others. Those PS are repairable and IC's are available, however to find some specific transistors used there can be real challenge (I bought them used in ebay).