Spectrum +2 Grey internal cassette connector

MatGubbins

Is it possible to buy the internal white cassette connector (the bit with pins on the motherboard and the bit that dangles from the leads) from Maplin, if so does anyone have their product number to hand. I'm going round in circles on their website trying to find stuff. Thank you.

1024MAK

The range from Maplin is nowadays rather limited.
Do mean this one:


Are you after the header (the one that fits on a PCB and has the pins) or the receptacle (socket) that the cables go in? If you are after the receptacle, keep in mind that is just sold as a plastic receptacle, the metal contacts are sold separately and need either crimping or carefully soldering to each cable one at a time.

Mark

MatGubbins

Ah, thanks for the information Mark, what I'm trying to do is rewire the leads from the cassette circuit board to the connector (as shown in your photo in brown) as there is a break somewhere in one or more of the cables. As you've stated that the contacts are sold separately then I'll probably just need those instead, along with some new bits of cable.

I'll take some photos as well as my +2 grey uses 5 cables and the circuit board is different.
Hopefully get them done tonight.
Thanks again Mark

1024MAK

If Maplin charge silly prices for the contacts, let me know. I can send some to you. I can also supply short lengths of hook-up 7/0.2 wire (various colours available). You only pay the cost of postage as long as this is for your own use and not a repair, so as to sell it.

A multimeter on continuity or a low resistance range (200R) can test the wires.
Or if you don't have a meter, a battery, some wire and a 2.4V torch bulb can work as a simple continuity tester.

Mark

MatGubbins

Mark, thank you for the offer of the connectors and cables, I don't think that I'll be needing them as I've hopefully found the problem, after removing the 3 cassette circuit board screws the brown ground cable was not attached to anything, it was just free floating and probably making a very dodgy connection, I compared it with my other +2 grey and found where it should go.



There is a slight difference to the cassette circuit boards on each +2, only one of them has the resistor on the solder side (as shown in the photo).
The component side are both the same, so are the revision Z70501 C3-4494 (A).

The brown ground cable has been resoldered and things are working a lot better. Tested with the battery and bulb, the cables are all lighting up.
Testing and up and loading again - working, or everything has been pushed into alignment and will only be a problem later down the line (as with everything in life).

Thanks again Mark for your help and advice.

1024MAK

Hey, no problem.

Your cassette deck PCB is different to mine though.
What issue and version is the main board in your +2 ?

Mark

MatGubbins

The 2 versions of +2 Grey that I have are in this topic, with photos.
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/discussion/51188/

8639 has been mine since the release of the machine - xmas pressie
8640 I found in a retro shop a few months ago. Computer only, no power supply.

my boards look nothing as neat as Balford's...
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/discussion/46922/2-tape-deck-blue-wire#latest

Maybe a +2 grey cassette circuit board revision thread is needed.. or just add photos
to this thread.

this is the bits side....

probably the best photo I could take without pulling all the wires out, needs a bit of a dust though.