› ›

128 +2 tape deck

fogfog
edited March 2010 in Hardware
I am not 100% sure what to buy to fix it.. first. scuba dive worked / loaded..

then games after didn't.. should I just got for the tape belt?!?! or for a new motor also? and as for the belt size, what size.. I see folks selling spectrum specific ones, but is that just because..

I was assuming I could use an external tape deck, I tried and nothing. I could hear sound and thats the lot.

the deck makes like a ticking noise as it turns / loads.. and it's like the pulses are speeding up / slowing down.. much like you used to get with them speedlock loaders years ago, where it sounded wobbly.
Post edited by fog on

Comments

  • rustyredlinerustyredline
    edited November 2009
    I recently replaced the datacorder and made an ear input for my +2A, which now loads fast loading wavs from PC, its a fairly simple procedure and worth doing if you're deck is knackered. The only reason I done it was cos i had spare +2 and I wanted to fast load games onto it. check out this thread.

    http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=27190
  • fogfog
    edited November 2009
    I did see your video :) thanks .. I think it's not overly knackered though, as it did load up scuba dive and errm kikstart 2.. just it's either the belt or motor gone I guess..

    see if I buy some belts for it, sods law it's the motor.hehe.. I dunno I gave a ?10 for it and got a good deal.. same with the rubber key 48k I bought that cost more.

    only reason I got them was they were local pick up only ones.. what you mean a 70 mile round trip isn't local? :)

    this is a black +2, not a grey one.. and it has the tape/game port on the side, although it doesn't input ?!?! I dunno .. I tried loading stuff. could hear sound, but nothing else.hhmm

    I've ordered a tape belt and I have head cleaner stuff, so maybe that'll fix it.
  • rustyredlinerustyredline
    edited November 2009
    I know its obvious but have tried adjusting the azimuth screw through the hole above the rewind sign, whilst the deck is playing. that has to be fiddled depending on the position of the tape heads being used. As for the tape/sound socket as far as i can tell that is for output and although you can hear sound through the +2A (black +2) its not goin through the ULA or whatever and therefore you can't load this way
  • fogfog
    edited November 2009
    it's either the tape / belt / rollers , because even when a tape isn't in.. it's making the click noise.. BUT not as much... so it's clicking.. I guess probably running it with the cover off will make it far easier to detect where the sound is coming from.


    funny thing is, I'm pretty sure I have a tape deck (normal one) at home doing the exact same thing..

    I still couldn't get the input to work.. well assuming it's that. the tape input like on the +3 , top left corner.. it is also an input or just an output? I did look for the owner manual on here..
  • rustyredlinerustyredline
    edited November 2009
    I have read a few threads concerning this and the input on the +3 is not the same as found on a +2 because it was designed to load from datacorder only. The +3 leads do not work on a +2 which I'm 100% sure as i asked a seller on ebay and he said that he tested the leads on a +2A and it did same thing noise but no loading. The best options to you are IMHO try to repair datacorder. again you could make a mono socket from play and ground pins on mobo (maybe as a last resort). Sorry to ask again but have you tried adjusting the azimuth screw to see if games load or clicking stops? clicking deck can happen if azimuth screw is too tightly screwed (whether tapesin there or not). I had exact problem as you described and it was azimuth screw although i suppose other things you mentioned could result in similar issues. I have a spare drivebelt out of my modded +2A that works if you want it.
  • fogfog
    edited November 2009
    thanks for the offer, I've ordered one yesterday.. :)

    as for the line in thing on the +2. it's odd it produces sound, but no loading.

    I would like to get the +2 manual to see what it says.

    I'll have to do a bit more research into how it works I guess :)

    I haven't messed with the azimuth.. I know what your on about though.. I'm well aware from c64 days about it :) the little screw inside the cover.. I think either the belt / motor or rollers is the issue, due to it speeding up / slowing down.. azimuth is the last thing I will mess with.
  • orangeorange
    edited February 2010
    um, what is the size of that tape belt? i need one for cpc464 and they say its the same.
  • rwaprwap
    edited February 2010
    I have just had similar issues - I replaced a +2B drive which the Spectrum was not even detecting any sound, with one from a +2A. I had to swap the two drive belts over.

    I also had the clicking sound - the pause button was not quite lifted and that was causing the clicking and stopping the reel turning on play properly. Having rectified that, it was more obvious the drive belt was at fault as although the tape appeared to play ok, when rewinding a tape, it would slow down a few times towards the end .

    However, I have also had a look at another +2A and +2. The tape deck in the +2 is different to the one in the +2A and the drive belt also seems to be a different size on the +2 - put it on the +2A and the motor didn't manage to turn the reels at all.

    Strange, but now I still need a cassette drive belt for a +2A
    Supporting Sinclairs since 1986 !

    www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
    www.sellmyretro.com
  • orangeorange
    edited March 2010
    got it:
    Polea cuadrada D =74 x G = 1,2 x A = 1,2mm.
Sign In or Register to comment.