VCR, LaserDisc extended storage precautions?

[mrwhitethc]

So I don't think I've turned on my stack (VCR's, LaserDisc, DVD-R, TBC) in the last 5+ years (might be getting closer to 10+), they've all been stored inside a temperature controlled home. Is there any thing/s I should do before powering them back on? I swear I remember reading it was best to do something before re-connecting power back to old electronics? Check the capacitors and maybe give the inside a small clean with air? Look for broken rubber belts and check for dried grease/re-grease the tracks?

If specifics are needed I have:
Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD-R
JVC DR-M100SU DVD-R
JVC HM-DH40000U D-VHS
Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U D-VHS
i.dent ivt-7 TBC
Pioneer CLD-504 Laserdisc

thanks.

[aramkolt]

Some people suggest "warming up" older electronics' capacitors by exposing them to less than 120VAC on initial power, but I don't think that's an evidence-based practice. Since your stuff mostly is switching power supplies, only a few capacitors will have less voltage on them anyway if you do that. If you did want to try that, you'd do it with a Variac/Autotransformer, but again, I wouldn't recommend bothering with it.

As far as what is likely to work/not work out of that batch just from sitting, the DH40KU is least likely to work because it has quite a few surface mount capacitors that like to go bad. ES10 and M100 both have power supply caps that like to go bad, but could be that is much more likely left plugged in on standby for years (which sounds like yours weren't), so you might be ok there. ES10 for sure has a few SMT capacitors and the M100 might as well, but seems like almost no one checks/replaces those and I haven't heard of anyone replacing them besides me.

IVT-7 is likely fine, I've worked on maybe 3 or 4 and they rarely have power supply issues.

So I guess the question is, what's the occasion to get them going again after so long? Find some more tapes that need conversion?

[mrwhitethc]

Oh, that sounds familiar about "warming" them up, maybe that's what I read!

Yeah, I finally have an area / space to set everything back up and continue to capture tapes I never got around to after moving a bunch.

[Gary34]

Quote:

maybe give the inside a small clean with air

Don't spray them with a can of air. There are liquid propellants in canned air that aren't good to spray on the internals of gear.

[BarryTheCrab]

I purchased an air blower, corded, no propellants, that’s a real money saver, too.

[mrwhitethc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTheCrab

I purchased an air blower, corded, no propellants, that’s a real money saver, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary34

Don't spray them with a can of air. There are liquid propellants in canned air that aren't good to spray on the internals of gear.

Yeah that's a good tip for people, I've had one of the DataVac plug in blowers for years now, more than paid for itself!

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrwhitethc

Is there any thing/s I should do before powering them back on? I swear I remember reading it was best to do something before re-connecting power back to old electronics? Check the capacitors and maybe give the inside a small clean with air? Look for broken rubber belts and check for dried grease/re-grease the tracks?

Good list so far:
- Check caps
- Gentle dust-out with air
- Check bands, grease.

Also:
- Check paths (tape paths, LD spindle, etc)
- Warm-up time. That means: plug in, do not turn on, leave alone for a day. Turn on tomorrow, wait 30 minutes, then do stuff.

Quote:

If specifics are needed I have:
Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD-R
JVC DR-M100SU DVD-R
JVC HM-DH40000U D-VHS
Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U D-VHS
i.dent ivt-7 TBC
Pioneer CLD-504 Laserdisc

Nice stack.

- The ES10 can be a nag when powered from cold start. Failed caps happen, but are rarer.
- The JVC/Mitsu decks are probably fine.
- The LD player caps are a concern.
- It's been a while since I've had an IVT-7, but it's probably safe to assume it's going to give you issues. For your sake, and sanity, I hope I'm wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramkolt

Some people suggest "warming up" older electronics' capacitors by exposing them to less than 120VAC on initial power, but I don't think that's an evidence-based practice.

No, warm-up is studied science. But it's not just caps. It's a mix of both letting electricity flow through it steady, and heating up to normal operating conditions.

It's summer now, but in the winter, cold VCR heads can strip oxide off of tapes. You want the deck to warm up in temps, perhaps even run a non-important retail "warm-up" tape in the deck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTheCrab

I purchased an air blower, corded, no propellants, that’s a real money saver, too.

In general, I use manual Giottos air rockets.

But if I really need power, I've sometimes used this on VCRs: https://amzn.to/4nUQUnv
It's variable speed.
I also stand some feet away, often taking gear into the hallway, garage, or outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrwhitethc

Yeah that's a good tip for people, I've had one of the DataVac plug in blowers for years now, more than paid for itself!

I worry about the pressure from these. Is it variable speed?

[mrwhitethc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

Good list so far:
- Check caps
- Gentle dust-out with air
- Check bands, grease.

Also:
- Check paths (tape paths, LD spindle, etc)
- Warm-up time. That means: plug in, do not turn on, leave alone for a day. Turn on tomorrow, wait 30 minutes, then do stuff.


Nice stack.

- The ES10 can be a nag when powered from cold start. Failed caps happen, but are rarer.
- The JVC/Mitsu decks are probably fine.
- The LD player caps are a concern.
- It's been a while since I've had an IVT-7, but it's probably safe to assume it's going to give you issues. For your sake, and sanity, I hope I'm wrong.


No, warm-up is studied science. But it's not just caps. It's a mix of both letting electricity flow through it steady, and heating up to normal operating conditions.

It's summer now, but in the winter, cold VCR heads can strip oxide off of tapes. You want the deck to warm up in temps, perhaps even run a non-important retail "warm-up" tape in the deck.


In general, I use manual Giottos air rockets.

But if I really need power, I've sometimes used this on VCRs: https://amzn.to/4nUQUnv
It's variable speed.
I also stand some feet away, often taking gear into the hallway, garage, or outside.


I worry about the pressure from these. Is it variable speed?

Thanks for the insight LordSmurf!

Do you have any recommendations on grease to use to re-lube any parts?

Gotcha on the warm up!

After I open them up I might see about picking up one of those air rockets.

Normally with the DataVac (non-variable) if it's electronics I put it on my bench outside and stand a few feet away and blow the dust off from all angles then inspect. It's been good enough to get most everything out of my every 6th months. Only hard metal / plastic shells or dust filters do get up close.