Tech Tips

Tech Tips

Technical Tips share information about maintaining and supporting field repairs of equipment. Tips are listed listed by model and give you the solution to common questions. If there is anything you need to know that's not listed, please contact us ...

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Pinch Rollers & O-Rings on ESD10, CTR123, & CTR124.
CTR13/14 or CTR30
CTR100
CTR123/124
CTR10 or CTR100
ESD10
Any Cartridge Machine
Any Dynamax Cartridge Machine

Pinch Rollers & "O" Rings top

Tip Question Solution

1 My "black" pinch rollers seem to wear out quickly. Is there an improved version?
Yes, Fidelipac uses two different types of Pinch Rollers. Both are available in replacement kits, with the following order numbers.

PRK-1
The "black" Pinch Roller, which is hard rubber and provides a reliable Splice Finding function. (Used on all units that include a built-in Splice Finder, ESD10, CTR123, & CTR124.

PRK-2
The "clear" Pinch Roller, which is made of polyurethane is softer, thicker, and has a life expectancy approximately twice that of the "black" version.

2 Does Fidelipac offer an update for the "O-Rings" previously used in the cartridge holddown mechanism?
Yes, kits including the metal springs that replaced the old "O-Rings" can be ordered by the following numbers, and are easily field replaceable by the end-user. When ordering, please supply the type and serial number of the machine that they are to be supplied for.

A Size Unit: 5E2-A0-002 (2 per unit)

B Size Unit: 871-A0-001 (1 per unit)

Pinch Rollers & "O" Rings top
Tip	Question	Solution
1	My "black" pinch rollers seem to wear out quickly. Is there an improved version?	Yes, Fidelipac uses two different types of Pinch Rollers. Both are available in replacement kits, with the following order numbers. PRK-1 The "black" Pinch Roller, which is hard rubber and provides a reliable Splice Finding function. (Used on all units that include a built-in Splice Finder, ESD10, CTR123, & CTR124. PRK-2 The "clear" Pinch Roller, which is made of polyurethane is softer, thicker, and has a life expectancy approximately twice that of the "black" version.
2	Does Fidelipac offer an update for the "O-Rings" previously used in the cartridge holddown mechanism?	Yes, kits including the metal springs that replaced the old "O-Rings" can be ordered by the following numbers, and are easily field replaceable by the end-user. When ordering, please supply the type and serial number of the machine that they are to be supplied for. A Size Unit: 5E2-A0-002 (2 per unit) B Size Unit: 871-A0-001 (1 per unit)

CTR13/14 or CTR30

Tip Question Solution

1 Audio distorts at input levels above +4dBm, but recorded levels are below tape saturation.
Replace U12 on the Record Logic Board with a RC4558. (installed in later versions).

Note: For a quick field fix, swap U10 and U12.

2 Unit records an unreliable 1kHz Cue Tone. Replace C50 (10uf/50V ) on the Record Logic Board.

CTR13/14 or CTR30
Tip	Question	Solution
1	Audio distorts at input levels above +4dBm, but recorded levels are below tape saturation.	Replace U12 on the Record Logic Board with a RC4558. (installed in later versions). Note: For a quick field fix, swap U10 and U12.
2	Unit records an unreliable 1kHz Cue Tone.	Replace C50 (10uf/50V ) on the Record Logic Board.

CTR100

Tip Question Solution

1 Unit fails to detect Cue Tones, and/or the Clock doesn't count. Replace U10 on the Tone Sensor Board. Note: This is a 4009, but may be replaced with a 4049 (readily available at Radio Shack, or other electronic retailers).

2 Both the MONO and MATRIX status indicators are on, but there is no audio output. Replace U8 (4070) on the Play Amplifier Board.

3 Occasional SERVO ERROR message when machine is on long enough to get hot. Adjust R35 on the Servo Board for proper duty cycle. Turn R35 full CCW, and note SERVO ERROR indicator flashing. Slowly turn R35 CW util flashing stops, then add 1/8 turn CW.

CTR100
Tip	Question	Solution
1	Unit fails to detect Cue Tones, and/or the Clock doesn't count.	Replace U10 on the Tone Sensor Board. Note: This is a 4009, but may be replaced with a 4049 (readily available at Radio Shack, or other electronic retailers).
2	Both the MONO and MATRIX status indicators are on, but there is no audio output.	Replace U8 (4070) on the Play Amplifier Board.
3	Occasional SERVO ERROR message when machine is on long enough to get hot.	Adjust R35 on the Servo Board for proper duty cycle. Turn R35 full CCW, and note SERVO ERROR indicator flashing. Slowly turn R35 CW util flashing stops, then add 1/8 turn CW.

CTR123/124

Tip Question Solution

1 Unit records an unreliable 1kHz Cue Tone. Replace C20 & C21 (both 10uf/50V ) on the Tone GeneratorBoard.

2 Apparently not recording Cue Tones. Cue Tone bias circuit remaining on, thereby erasing Cue Tones previously recorded. Replace U10 (4002) on the Tone Generator Board.

CTR123/124
Tip	Question	Solution
1	Unit records an unreliable 1kHz Cue Tone.	Replace C20 & C21 (both 10uf/50V ) on the Tone GeneratorBoard.
2	Apparently not recording Cue Tones.	Cue Tone bias circuit remaining on, thereby erasing Cue Tones previously recorded. Replace U10 (4002) on the Tone Generator Board.

CTR10 or CTR100

Tip Question Solution

1 The Stop Lamp stays on, even when a cartridge is not inserted. The Cleaning Switch may be stuck, or there is a defective opto-coupler in the cartridge sense circuit.

CTR10 or CTR100
Tip	Question	Solution
1	The Stop Lamp stays on, even when a cartridge is not inserted.	The Cleaning Switch may be stuck, or there is a defective opto-coupler in the cartridge sense circuit.

ESD10

Tip Question Solution

1 Unit will not Start, or will not Stop. Replace U5 (4081).

ESD10
Tip	Question	Solution
1	Unit will not Start, or will not Stop.	Replace U5 (4081).

Any Cartridge Machine

Tip Question Solution

1 "Pops" recorded at the start and finish of recorded cartridges.
Demagnetize the heads.

CAUTION: When demagnetizing heads, NEVER let the demagnetizer touch the heads. Doing so will magnetize the head, requiring extended demagnetization. If a very strong demagnetizer is being used, it may burn out the head.

Any Cartridge Machine
Tip	Question	Solution
1	"Pops" recorded at the start and finish of recorded cartridges.	Demagnetize the heads. CAUTION: When demagnetizing heads, NEVER let the demagnetizer touch the heads. Doing so will magnetize the head, requiring extended demagnetization. If a very strong demagnetizer is being used, it may burn out the head.

Any Dynamax Cartridge Machine

Tip Question Solution

1 Cartridges "drag" in Play and/or Record.
Adjust solenoid throw.

1. Place Cleaning Switch in "up" position.

2. Loosen the 3/8" nut on the solenoid plunger.

3. Turn the plunger CW a few turns. Cycle Start & Stop while turning the plunger CCW until you hear the plunger bottom out lightly, but firmly, within the solenoid. (This will take some going back and forth CW &CCW to reach optimum performance.

4. After reaching optimum, as above, turn the plunger one complete revolution CCW if using a PRK-1 "black" Pinch Roller, or 3/4 complete revolution CCW if using a PRK-2 "clear" Pinch Roller.

5. Retighten 3/8" nut on plunger, and return Cleaning Switch to normal.

If unit is an older machine, and cartridges still drag, a Cartridge Guard may need to be installed on the face of the Head Block. The Cartridge Guard is available at no charge, order number 790-A0-000.