Dead GE 4019 VCR
Paul Moody
We have a GE 4019 vcr that died in mid playback. After reading this
newsgroup and the VCR faq, I opened it up and found a blown fuse. There
must be a short though becase any new fuse blows immediately. None of the
power supply components appear damaged and there are none of the other
signs of a short that I would look for. I've tested the power supply with
a vom, but without the schematic this seams some what useless.
A power supply repair kit is availible for $17, but I hesitate to get it
since 1) I'm not sure that is the problem and 2) the ps circuit board is
soldered to the power supply housing.
What I would like to check are the drive motors. About a month before the
vcr died our 4 year old sprayed Pledge into the vcr while helping her
mother dust. I had to clean the heads twice and it still took about 40
minutes of tape to get things operational again. Unfortunately the motors
are under the tape, which wont come out. The screws to remove the housing
containing the tape and motors are also under the tape. Catch 22.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
--
Paul and Caroly Moody
paul...@worldnet.att.net
Sam Goldwasser
In article <01bb9226$0312d900$4b2b...@moodypaul.compuserve.com> "Paul Moody" <paul...@worldnet.att.net> writes:
> We have a GE 4019 vcr that died in mid playback. After reading this
> newsgroup and the VCR faq, I opened it up and found a blown fuse. There
> must be a short though becase any new fuse blows immediately. None of the
> power supply components appear damaged and there are none of the other
> signs of a short that I would look for. I've tested the power supply with
> a vom, but without the schematic this seams some what useless.
> A power supply repair kit is availible for $17, but I hesitate to get it
> since 1) I'm not sure that is the problem and 2) the ps circuit board is
> soldered to the power supply housing.
I think you will find that it is removable without much if any desoldering.
If the fuse is backened and blows absolutely instantly, there is likely a
shorted part which you should be able to find with a VOM.
Those power supply repair kits do work but may be overkill if you can
locate the bad part(s) and check other components.
In addition to the VCR FAQ, see the SMPS FAQ if this is a switching
power supply or the Auio+Misc FAQ if it is not.
> What I would like to check are the drive motors. About a month before the
> vcr died our 4 year old sprayed Pledge into the vcr while helping her
> mother dust. I had to clean the heads twice and it still took about 40
> minutes of tape to get things operational again. Unfortunately the motors
> are under the tape, which wont come out. The screws to remove the housing
> containing the tape and motors are also under the tape. Catch 22.
See Audio+Misc FAQ or Appliance FAQ for motors but I doubt them to be
your problem.
http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/REPAIR/ (in the USA)
mirrored at this URL in Italy:
http://ftp.cised.unina.it/pub/electronics/REPAIR/ (better for Non-USA)
--- sam (s...@stdavids.picker.com)
Bill Rothanburg
In message <01bb9226$0312d900$4b2b...@moodypaul.compuserve.com> - "Paul
Moody" <paul...@worldnet.att.net> writes:
:>
:>We have a GE 4019 vcr that died in mid playback. After reading this
:>newsgroup and the VCR faq, I opened it up and found a blown fuse. There
:>must be a short though becase any new fuse blows immediately. None of the
:>power supply components appear damaged and there are none of the other
:>signs of a short that I would look for. I've tested the power supply with
:>a vom, but without the schematic this seams some what useless.
:>A power supply repair kit is availible for $17, but I hesitate to get it
:>since 1) I'm not sure that is the problem and 2) the ps circuit board is
:>soldered to the power supply housing.
:>What I would like to check are the drive motors. About a month before the
:>vcr died our 4 year old sprayed Pledge into the vcr while helping her
:>mother dust. I had to clean the heads twice and it still took about 40
:>minutes of tape to get things operational again. Unfortunately the motors
:>are under the tape, which wont come out. The screws to remove the housing
:>containing the tape and motors are also under the tape. Catch 22.
:>Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Paul and Carol,
It is very unlikely that the problem is one of the motors. Most power
supplies are current limited, so an excessive load on the output will NOT blow
a fuse. Check the power supply, specifically the diodes. If it is a SMPS,
the input diodes may be shorted (which will blow the fuse) or the switching
transistor may be shorted (unsolder it to be sure, don't try to check
resistance in circuit). I would consider buying a kit if the switching
transistor is shorted, but would probably just replace the input diodes if one
or more is shorted.
If it is a linear supply, check the diodes.