Realistic LAB-2200 Turntable Repairs (Ep. 243)

[@johnmcgill5780]

Thanks Trevor - watching your videos has given me the courage to look inside non-working units and attempt fixing them. Having no electrical experience to speak of, I've nonetheless fixed a Hitachi turntable and removed a stuck cassette from an Onkyo.

[@SergZak2023]

Thanks for the awesome content, Trevor. Unlike a certain Mr that will remain unnamed (as well as unsubscribed), yours is a working bench and not an opulent showbench "lab". Great job! Keep up the great content! And your videos are *never* too long, no matter what a certain individual continues to harp on endlessly about.

[@alzamonart]

About one year ago I bought one of these on eBay, in working condition - to use as a spare TT for my home office (I've got 3 at home). I wanted to have a linear tracking TT for the reasons you mention at the beginning and to see how it deals better with inner groove distortion (it does - to a degree). Everything was working when I got it but the rear light (which yes, is used for auto record sizing) stopped working some months ago and in figuring out how to fix it I found this video. (good thing I don't have many 7" singles -- standard 12" records work fine) I always fear that if I take one of these things apart I won't be able to put them back in but that's why we must acknowledge these videos exist - so we can learn to do things right should the need arise. Thanks :)

[@ian-c.01]

You have far more patience than me and you are incredibly understanding ! When I saw you starting to take the mechanism apart inside with all that dried grease I was expecting all kinds of brittle and broken plastic parts that were not going to be easy to repair or replace ! I got frustrated just watching so I had to skip past that part. Rather you than me Trevor ! I would not have agreed to take on a such a low budget item, it really doesn't make sense, they would be better to use the money to buy a higher quality item. I haven't really spent any time comparing linear tracking arms with conventional arms but your explanation does make some sense so if that was the main reason they wanted this repaired then I suppose there is a logical reason, I have not looked into the prices of new ones.

[@ovalwingnut]

With linear tracking I'm going to guess that more than one person has tried to PUSH that stylus arm sideways, through its motion at some point - to get to a particular track? That's a lot of leverage. I only say that because of the perceived wiggle movement in the arm, that I could see from my EZ chair in Calif. Nice repair and ShOcK & AWE micro switch trick! You R the Microswitch Whisperer™. (and some day, the gods willing, the "Pulley Whisperer™too). Thank you for the video. Cheers from So.Ca.USA 3rd house on the left. p.s. If we didn't learn from our... YES. "And" Repetition Breeds Confidence

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

The linear trackers need all the old lube cleaned and relubricated. New belts on motor pulley. I work on turntables daily. Less is more when servicing them as the more you move, remove, force, or manipulate risks damaging or breaking the very fragile white plastic parts. Clean the pots. Lube the motor. I usually dunk the parts in an iso bath 99% and it comes clean very quickly. Pics are your friend. The slightly misaligned part can cause hours of frustration. The main issue with this table is that in the on-line marketplace it would sit indefinitely and command about $100 to $150 max. So, not really worth restoring. 😢sad truth. 😢😢😢

[@007fredh]

Another great vid Trevor. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of some of the negative comments. I see these people have sad lives and can only give negative thoughts to something online. Just feel sorry for them.

[@4evaclapham]

you removed a mat which is 37 years old and placed it on an uneven surface then you put a heavy platter on top of it, when you returned the mat to the platter it had become warped

[@timmorris871]

Great video. Any interest in looking into a barely, if ever, used Realistic Lab 1500? I have the original box & packing materials. I thought it just needed belts but it still doesn’t function (does turn on). Cosmetically it’s in nearly new condition - i hate to see something in this pristine not get restored but I’m not an electronics guy.

[@karllangeveld6449]

Maybe you mention this later in the video, I have to pause now, but was this one originally designed as a belt driven unit? The platter and the housing appear to accommodate that.

[@karllangeveld6449]

Never mind 😊

[@user-mv5bu2kk8b]

Direct drive

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

A lot of tables show the artifacts of the mold used for both DD and belt with the belt the lower cost option.

[@electrajojo]

Being a supposiley technician it never dawned on you to hit to cueing button to advance the arm forward to the slot to remove the top before you were stressing on it by hand?? Just seems like common sense would have told you to just cue it with the button.. Really strange... Also wanted to add that direct drive servo motor should have been lubricated with no more that one drop of oil NOT grease the friction this grease will cause in the future will dramatically shorten its life, although you said it doesn't matter to you it will matter to the customer.

[@TrevorsBench]

Sounds like some trauma counseling is needed ASAP

[@johnsenchak]

What did you have for lunch ? Can you fix that worm gear with high strength fishing line instead of dental floss

[@johnsenchak]

CHANGE ALL THE CAPACITORS

[@johnsenchak]

STOP SENDING LONG VIDEOS !!!!11

[@steven6692]

Hi Trevor! I just saw an English guy make gear wheels for a sony 3 head cassette deck with a 3D Printer...nothing to it men...about $300 average price on Amazon.