Sony Betamax 711B chassis front loader mechanism

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[@MrBetaByte]

That's a 711B2 Chassis? The 711B is the older version with the additional lacing ring switch and without the clever exit sensor unload metal mechanism. Great video.

[@momzilla9491]

This is the best lesson! I recently bought a 1984 Sony SL-300 as is with a (described) problem being with the front loader. Sony moved the power supply controlling the CAM from the circuit board on the right, down through the chassie to the left front circuit board. Now it lines up with the front panel RR and Play buttons for the Betascan. At least that is the way it looks so far. I haven't TOTALLY dropped the bottom circuit board yet. The front loader unit would not come out unless I removed the front control board cover AND the left side wall panel for the unit. I hate too many loose parts so I'll take the loading unit to a different area to work on. I'm being extremely patient with myself... LOL I figure if I can't fix and problem with an abuse prone area, I shouldn't own a Betamax! Hopefully Betamax will cure what 2 different Video Stabilizers won't do. Would be cool if this loading problem was the only one. I could use the SL-500 that has play video problems for spare parts. I don't have a scope to check video and RF problems. So I guess I will be downgrading from a BETA 3 to a BETA 1! Could I ask if the circuit grease on this TAMRADIO should be yellow? Thanks so much Dave--- fellow Canadian!

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Momzilla, I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@momzilla9491]

@@thejourney2beingaPRO I learned everything I could from our great Beta/VHS KZbin Pros. I gave up trying to fix that one after the front loader kept coming off it's track. The repairman couldn't do anything more to keep it stable. I'm now of the opinion that if the Max isn't in perfect condition when you buy it, it's a waist of money. These things are now so old, the parts cost a fortune. Search for repairs in your general area is the best advice I can give you. I wouldn't waste any time trying to fix one now. Best of luck

[@warrenmacdonald1372]

Great instructional video, but 25 years too late!. I had this type of chassis in the sl-hf350, had this problem you described, bought a new loading mechanism , installed it, with difficulty by the seat of my pants ( where were you when I needed you? ), and after I put it back together the tape never stayed aligned on the head drum properly. So I bought an sl-hf360 which must have had the 712 chassis you spoke about because the loading was so much more quiet with a worm gear instead of that long beige belt. No more problems with loading but after a lot of use the take-up reel would stop during playback, not long enough to trigger any sort of shut down, and then it would start up again, taking up the slack that was coming from the pinch roller, and then stop again after a few more seconds.

[@fadhlematrook1248]

i think you have problem with shaft

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

This is actually a 711B2 chassis which has only one switch and one cassette door on the front loading mechanism. The previous version has two of each parts and was used in the SL-2300, 2400 etc. Great video btw, thanks!

[@12voltvids]

Right. Its been so long since I worked on these. They all start barking the same tone these days.

[@MarcosAlmeidaNet]

Here in Brazil we had the SL-30 that used this mechanism. Is very hard to find a working machine over here, they were not popular. The STK 5441 problem can be solved using a linear regulator 78XX to replace the section that always fails on the STK (I believe is a 12V rail). Another problem is the glue thats holds the hall sensor on the drum motor. It gets conductive over the time. Thanks for the video.

[@simonlaw1862]

Great tutorial. Your video taught me how to allign the gears in the loading mechanism. Thank you!

[@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul]

What a coincident! Just got my first Betamax ever a few days ago which uses this very chassis. Although I managed to fixed the obvious issue (2 cracked gears & superglue,of course) but it'll sure need some major overhaul soon. Your teardown will be the treasure that come at the proper time! Million thanks to you. :)

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Nantawat, I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul]

@@thejourney2beingaPRO I'd love to, but I assume that you're living in USA or whereabout. That means we're half the globe apart.😓 The shipping cost wouldn't justify that, unfortunately.

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

@@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul I am wondering where you from and what that would cost?

[@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul]

@@thejourney2beingaPRO I'm living in Thailand. Let's see for yourself what the shipping cost would be? (Not so pretty, I'm sure about that.)

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

@@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul yes its 750 US :) too much for me!!

[@Nightrelic]

I have a Sony Betamax SL-2405. It wasn't loading, so I decided to follow your video. It turned out this unit is a little different. I removed the screws you did and found I needed to remove another screw and a bar to remove the toothed belt. But I was unable to remove the carriage at that point. I decided to try putting a tape in again anyway. It went farther in, so I decided to spray some contact cleaner into the gears and push it in and out. The gears started moving some more and I discovered there was some brown goop coming out of the gears. I cleaned it out and the gears freed up. The machine accepted the tape and started pulling it in, just like you explained in the video. Then it stopped. Now it's stuck min there. At least I know the gears are OK. Any ideas about getting the tape out and what I should try next?

[@farfignaution]

Thank you so much for this! I recently picked up a second SL HF 900 that has some alignment issues with the load and unload, and this will give me some great jumping off points to try and fix it

[@seamusmckeon9109]

You kinda look like Bill Hader

[@craggercragger8989]

Brilliant in depth guide again pal. I keep looking out locally for dead VCRs in the hope I will get one to work on using one of your guides, in the UK there seems to be hardly any interesting ones, unfortunately.

[@Electrotat]

Thanks man, found the fault on the loading carriage of my SL-F25, snapped tooth on that 1st spring loaded gear. Cannot seem to find a gear though so onto ebay to find one with a stuck head for spares 👍🏼

[@memegulag3846]

Hey 12volt. on your next beta video, can you address the planetary gears? On my sl-2400 they are just seized up and don't want to move at all. Thanks, Daniel

[@12voltvids]

Sure why not

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Okay, finally got a rainy day to try my hand at this. Took the whole basket assembly apart and sure enough, the first gear in your video (the white one with the arm) is broken. So, I have a few spare parts to work with. Have to check the other dead units to see if any of them are salvageable. Hopefully I can make one complete basket. This is a great learning tool video. I really need to send some money your way. Keep up the great work. Also, on the SL-2710, the mechanism is slightly different with 2 switches, right? I have a 2700 as a junker, so hopefully, I can pull that apart and use its parts to restore the 2710. I'll let you know how it goes. Also, the basket in the first unit I pulled apart is covered in lubricant. Is that normal?

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Great tear down of that loading assembly! Will try this repair with the SLHFR70 that won't load. Just got in 6 old Beta units for parts from a tech friend and many of them have this same or similar chassis, so i will have lots of parts at least. Will let you know how it goes.

[@12voltvids]

There is another front loader that is similar but has 2 leaf switches on it, but it comes apart very similar to this.

[@luis0arturo]

Great video and it’s very helpful to understand the mechanism, do you have any live assistance to try to recover my sl-40

[@3Cr15w311]

The whole retracting loading ring pins idea should have never gotten out of the first design meeting where it was introduced.

[@12voltvids]

The 710 chassis was the best. SL5200 best Beta ever made.

[@ZenithClarity]

Great vid!!!!!!! Are any of these tooth belts still available to buy?

[@hawleygriffon9290]

The SL-2710 has 4 gears as well as the worm gear. I found out that the basket is broken where the work gear attaches to the frame. I doubt hot gluing it back together will work. Will have to see if any of the other dead units has the same basket. The SL-2710 the other unit I took apart has a basket and gear assembly the same as the one you took apart, so that won't work...

[@TheVCRKing]

I've recently got a fully working Sony SL-2710. Does my VCR have that metal gear at 33:24 or do I have worry about the plastic gear (If mine has it) breaking.

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Looks like I don't have an SL-2700 BUT there are two SL-2300s and their basket assembly is exactly the same as the SL-2710, so I can use one of them. I took the baskets of the no loading units apart but for the life of me, I can't figure out what part is jammed. It appears to be the left hand side gear and the piece attached to the rails. They will not budge. I'll have to disassemble them completely to figure them out. The gears do not appear to be broken, so it's likely something with the rails...

[@ivanordonezmartinez2508]

Hi 12voltvids. Is it possible for you to have the Service Manual for that SONY Betamax SL-HFR50 like the one in this video or SONY Betamax SL-20 available to share or sell ? It can be a copy in PDF format. Thank you very much

[@retrotechnology3793]

I may ask you do not know what could cause a knocking unstable picture on the Sony Betamac C7 EC

[@12voltvids]

Many of those Sony machines experienced a slight bending of the capstan bearing housing which allowed the rotor to start to run on the stator and cause speed instability of the capstan motor.

[@retrotechnology3793]

@@12voltvids thanks

[@ThisDoesntMatter]

Thanks so much! Thanks to this vid I was able to repair my SL-25!

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

This Doesn't Matter (no it doesn't...) I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@Texacer]

thank you so much for this. realigned and now it ejects properly

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Hey Texacer, I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@LibraAudioLaboratory]

711B and 711B2 are a Beautiful Chassis, the same for the front loader. But the FL of the 711D Chassis, is a little nightmare, to servicing. 12V Thanks so Much for this Video.

[@12voltvids]

I believe that I have a 711d. What was the model number that used that chassis?

[@LibraAudioLaboratory]

The 711D/P Chassis is used in this model; - SL-2000 (711P) - SL-2500 - SL-2700 In the SL-2500 and SL-2700, some plastic gear have a easy breakage, on the FL. But this if is in work condition is a Jewel. No problem on SL-2000 is a top loader. the 711D have a very fragile loading ring, Loading threading gear and again, a faulty Hall IC on drum motor.

[@12voltvids]

I thought that was just the 711 chassis. They had that nasty plastic gear set on the top of the loading basket that was replaced with a metal gear, and the guide pin problems. They also used separate reel motors that due to the inertia of the rotors caused tape slap on rewind when the upper drum got polished by the tape, that would in extreme cases snap the tape, or stretch it so thin t hat it would slide in the head slot and take out the video heads. Oh they were ugly alright .

[@LibraAudioLaboratory]

On my SL-F7 i have polished the upper drum, for a perfect rewind, and review. No more back tension bracket, movment in rewind. Naturally the best thing, is replace the upper drum.

[@12voltvids]

I think you meant you "un polished" it. The tape does a dam goo job of turning it into a mirror. Comet kitchen cleanser and water, Make a paste of it, and rub the wet paste over the shiny areas with paper towel. Make the surface nice and dull, then wash off with water. Let dry and reassemble.

[@momzilla9491]

Is this like the Sony SL-HF500 Chassie too? I am so hoping!

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Guess luck isn't with me today. Swapped the working basket into the SL-2710 but it won't load in that machine so now I'm at a loss as to what else could be the problem.

[@harryridgely6545]

Can I ship my Sl2400 to you to get fixed? The tape was stuck in chasis. It played normally and fast forward and rewind worked fine. I removed the tape from chasis manually following your procedure. Tried putting in another tape and would not take. Let me know if u can! Thanks

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Hey - were you able to get this fixed? I'm having the same challenge? -Nick

[@zx8401ztv]

Smashing teardown and discription:-D Such a clever design, well thought out and i bet it was quite reliable, im ignoring the guide pin mod as stupid people didnt take heed to the manual. Ive allways thought the planitary gear system was so neat, what a beautifull way to make a compact gearbox, i saw my first in a electric drill gearbox section, simple and complex all at the same time :-D.

[@HDXFH]

Scored 2 sanyo top loader betacord machines, i only did minor repairs to them, they both play fine now

[@12voltvids]

Amazing that these old vcrs still work. Actually amazing that they even worked at all when you consider how complex they were

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

HDXFH, I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@TelevisieArchief]

Many thanks for this video. You saved my SL-HF150 !!!

[@fadhlematrook1248]

this kind of chassis reliable and good transport butt not easy to repair it have more part drive and gears i like this kind of machine

[@umajunkcollector]

mucho thanks David, I hope the gears are good. The solenoid is suspect. Will open it up later today. Now I have something to go on. I hate to junk my 70, I have the stereo part too. I have a couple Sears and Sanyo Beta vcr's too, but like the Sony far more. Don

[@sharky-mn3tv]

I'm looking around for help, as there's something wrong with my SL-2300. The VFD display says "Timer Rec" with the 12:00 flashing. It doesn't do anything else and I have pushed every button on the front. Like it doesn't react to any button I press. Any help would be appreciated, thank you. :(

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Were you able to find a solution or help?

[@sharky-mn3tv]

Nope, I can't find anything about the problem online. I also don't know any tech people, who would be able to help. I did try replacing some capacitors, which there were a few blown. However the VCR did nothing different, sometimes the drum would spin up for a second.

[@fransr.4326]

Hi, I have a Sony slv-kf295 VCR that no longer loads cassettes. When I push in the cassette, it doesn't go down all the way. Would u help me for this? Thanks

[@MarkHopewell]

In order to learn from mechanisms I'd not seen before, or had little training on, I would rig up a variable supply to the loading motor and slowly wind the loading cycle back and forth observing the mechanism in action. I preferred this method to the "itchy finger" method, as the mechanism operated across its whole cycle without being nudged along in erratic fits and bursts. It made observation much less tiresome over multiple cycles.

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

Hey Mark, I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@imagegraphix2006]

I have BETA HI-FI SONY SL-HF400 in excelent condition. Sometimes I have the problem that the tape keeps working but the head stops. what is this about.

[@fadhlematrook1248]

i have problem with my sl-200me betamax the playback is high speed Capstan Speed Problem>>what can i do?

[@franciscomartin3588]

I have a dat sony model tcd d8 the fault is that the audio is not heard if the mechanism works if it advances and attracts what it has.

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

This is a great video - I am very new to these types of things and I have an Sl-5600 and don't feel comfortable doing all this work, or try (unless I have too) - would you be willing to try and fix mine? It turns on - all digital is working. But when I put a Betamax video in - it doesn't spin. It takes the video but doesn't play. Let me know if you would be able to take a crack at fixing it. Price is not an issue (although something reasonable). Thanks, Nick

[@12voltvids]

Depending on parts I can probably fix it.

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

@@12voltvids are there any parts you would like to check and I can send pictures first? I'd love for you to even try... and if there are some parts you want to double check to see if I don't have that you also don't have then let me know and maybe I can carefully take it apart and show you?

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

@@12voltvids I would also just be willing to send to you to take a crack at it. You let me know what you'd like? I really want to try and get it working...

[@12voltvids]

@@thejourney2beingaPRO sure

[@thejourney2beingaPRO]

@@12voltvids okay - how do we make this happen so it's legit. Paypal seems the best way to pay - since it's a protected service. Do you want to call me? 415.290.6983

[@detectivedreams]

I want to be like you when i become adult! Great channel, great video. I think i have a big problem with the timing of the front loader gear mechanism. It's like the VCR is untimed, because when i put all the gears in the right position, after a few seconds of loading when i plug it into the wall (before powers on), the belt moves and untimes the gears of the front loader, putting too much space between the first gear and the "loader" contact. So when i push the tape, there's no answer. I cleaned the "loader" contact as you explained in another awesome video, but i still have the same problem. All the gears are in great condition, i assembled and disassembled the full front mechanism a thousand of times, and the problem persists. Greetings, and please still making this videos.

[@12voltvids]

One of the gears (the middle one on the front loader) has been known to loose a tooth, and once that happens, no matter how well you time it, it will skip a tooth and go out again.

[@detectivedreams]

Umm, looks like you were right. The problem is the double green gear. I think that gear is putting too much resistance so i can't push the tape enough to close the contacts! Any idea? All the teeth are in the party, no lost ones. Thanks, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge

[@addyou100]

I just picked up a betamax and it truns on and all but no picture shows on the screen. The screen blinks for 1 second then goes back to static. Everything looks good. Does anyone know why it's not working

[@MyPOLYSTAR]

Estes elevadores dão alguns problemas.O que equipa o SL-C30 é mais simples e nunca me deu problemas. Betamax no seu melhor!

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Allsopp should have been taken to the cleaners over this problem, I won't mind having to use a pay per view client with a CAM2USB adaptor that takes the CAM plus viewing card to let me watch advert free BTW is there a KZbin CAM plus Viewing card that I could install into my SAMSUNG UE32DRKXXU CAM Slot?

[@12voltvids]

Take the cleaners to the cleaners. Ha good one.

[@dustyrhodes2118]

How DO YOU PUT THE PLASTIC PICE IN

[@12voltvids]

Did you even watch the video? If you did you would have saw how I put it together the plastic cover just drops on and there are a couple screws that hold it in place. there are a couple of different versions of this front loader floating around some with and some without screws the ones with out screws are held in place by plastic clips that when you press it together you will hear it click into place as the catches engage.

[@Watcher3223]

711B Just like my SL-2710 and SL-HF550.

[@TheVCRKing]

I have one (SL-2710) too! Love it!

[@MyPOLYSTAR]

O meu sl-hf 150 rebobina mas o motor do capstan e da cabeça de video não andam.

[@ivanordonezmartinez2508]

Best regard. Please tell me more about SOLENOID. I have a Betamax SONY SL-HFR70. When I turn the unit on or off, the SOLENOID does not click and should not start loading the cassette ... and clean the sensor that indicates that the cassette is being loaded on the right side but the load is still not working . Thank you very much.

[@12voltvids]

If the solenoid does not click, then likely it is the thermal fuse on the solenoid that has gone open. Measure the resistance of the solenoid. If it is open then it is probably the thermal cut out. It can be replaced. You have to carefully cut through the tape on the side of the solenoid where the cut out is located. You can feel it through the tape.

[@ivanordonezmartinez2508]

Thank you very much for your prompt response. Please confirm me if I understand you well ... I should change the thermal fuse inside the Solenoid, not the complete Solenoid. As additional information I commented that the unit turns on but there is no mechanical movement within the betamax. Thanks again.

[@12voltvids]

If you can find the solenoid. I used to open them up and replace the thermal fuse back when the units were still relatively common only because Sony wanted 70.00 for the solenoid and that would puch the cost of repair up to 150 with shop labor so many people would walk away, but for a 3.00 thermal cut out, that brought the repair in at 83.00 and the shop policy was we had a "go ahead" under 100.00 That was the way we were able to make money. If someone wanted an estimate they paid an estimate fee up front, non-refundable, just like your mechanics diagnostic fee. If they would give up a go ahead up to 100.00, and if above that we would all call with an estimate. Well because now it is a free estimate, people would say no more often then yes, because they have nothing invested in it. So we would do everything possible to keep the repair cost below 100.00. Worked great, the shop made allot of money. We were doing 175K a year in labor revenue, and there was just 2 of us working full time in the shop. I did video and high end audio, and my assistant did the low end audio and portable crap.

[@CaptainRon542]

I have a SL-HFR90 it only loads 3/4 of the way. if you manuelly load it from 3/4 it will play good and ejects fine. Any idea

[@12voltvids]

There is an adjustment cam that activates the end load switch that needs adjustment.

[@CaptainRon542]

@@12voltvids thank you can you tell me where that adj cam is located on this model

[@12voltvids]

@@CaptainRon542 at 38:04 it is viable just left of the from next to the red and white wires. It is a plastic piece with a slot on it for a screw driver. It rotates a cam that operates a lever switch below the guide track. You can see it.

[@CaptainRon542]

@@12voltvids thank you sir

[@CaptainRon542]

fantastic thank you so much works great

[@knightjuanito09]

I have a sanyo betamax with this problem... what can I do

[@12voltvids]

Sanyo is totally different.

[@knightjuanito09]

@@12voltvids won't let the tape in

[@knightjuanito09]

@@12voltvids How could I send you a video so you can see what happens to the player

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Should be "worm gear". Darn Apple auto correction...

[@dannyjaar]

i have the sl-f40

[@fadhlematrook1248]

Hi betamax is not miss you