Akai GSC 730d I don't know if I can save it

7whales7

7whales7

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Hello gang I've decided to tear into an Akai GSC 730d I received a while back. It would play keep switching forward reverse, rewind was weak, etc. Pinch rollers were heavily glazed just dirty all around, it sat in a garage forever. I ordered belts Detoxit the controls and relays, used some 1500 grit sandpaper on the rollers..been alcohol swabbing the rollers also. Any other tips for service on this unit. Once the belts are off I will try to get the crud off the pulleys. I don't have high hopes for it...but I'm going to give it a shot.advise would be appreciated thank you.It seems to run fine in forward no tape in...but when you switch direction it only runs for about a min then switches forward???1572830128175-1492441525.jpg
 
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KIMG3293.JPG KIMG3296.JPG KIMG3297.JPG KIMG3301.JPG KIMG3303.JPG Here it is Belts were pretty strecthed and crusty, I pulled the door off, motor bracket, counter, Dolby brackets. Rerouted some wires, was able to get the counter out and change that difficult belt. Not to to bad to change. Lubedand cleaned what I could.
 
KIMG3302.JPG KIMG3306.JPG KIMG3306.JPG KIMG3313.JPG New belts in, it lives! The only problem it has is once the side is done and it changes sides it plays in reverse??? As if I was looking for backwards messages?? Anyone have any ideas on this one? Or is that common on these? Forward plays fine sounds good... keep in mind it didn't work before.
 
Greetings from RojoLand!

There is likely a relay that switches the heads for reverse play, much like on an auto-reverse reel-to-reel machine. That relay isn't firing for some reason. Your job, should you choose to accept it (LOL), is to find that relay and discover why it's not firing. Could be a broken PC trace, loose wire, burnt-out relay coil, fault in a switch or circuit controlling that relay. I assume you already have a service manual.

Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak"
 
rojoknox said:
Greetings from RojoLand!

There is likely a relay that switches the heads for reverse play, much like on an auto-reverse reel-to-reel machine. That relay isn't firing for some reason. Your job, should you choose to accept it (LOL), is to find that relay and discover why it's not firing. Could be a broken PC trace, loose wire, burnt-out relay coil, fault in a switch or circuit controlling that relay. I assume you already have a service manual.

Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak"
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Greetings! I've been doing some research I think I found the relay, cleaned all the relays, 3 on the Power/ amp board they also control record functions, waiting for it to dry. I don't have a service manual, I may download one from Hi-Fi engine or similar. I can usually figure things out...this problem is interesting. The head doesn't rotate on these, similar to Reel to Reel. I believe it's a electronic switch/ relay that's the problem, like you suggested. After the belt Change/clean and lube. It solved all the problems except this one. Interesting machine lots of bells and whistles. I have not tried to record on it yet. Thanks J.E.
 
I've had one for about 10 years now and have posted here a couple of times regarding the auto reverse feature. (feature or fault:dunno:)
It may help to do a search on this forum.....you never know. Mine's been sitting in a cupboard unused all this time so it's quite likely that the belts are cactus.
 
That's in great cosmetic shape, which makes it easier to justify the time and expense of fixing/restoring these things. I'm a fan of Akai tape decks.
 
Jonny Ramone said:
That's in great cosmetic shape, which makes it easier to justify the time and expense of fixing/restoring these things. I'm a fan of Akai tape decks.
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It sounds pretty nice....in forward...LOL. It's nice to know I can take it apart, put it together again and it works....kinda..lol...it didn't work before. I feel confident that if I find another I can do the service, some of those Nak's look pretty tough though.
 
thilaseen said:
I've had one for about 10 years now and have posted here a couple of times regarding the auto reverse feature. (feature or fault:dunno:)
It may help to do a search on this forum.....you never know. Mine's been sitting in a cupboard unused all this time so it's quite likely that the belts are cactus.
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I wanted to post about the belt change.I didn't see anyone detailing the process. It's not that hard to get the counter belt... patience and being careful. The belts are still available. There's alot of Akai decks out there that can be fixed. I hope I provided a little info to help people out with the belt Change.
 
157543161992393110872.jpg Trying to get a picture of it lit up working good. Still has an issue in reverse play I cleaned the parts on the power supply board etc. Still will play backwards in reverse..... secret message decoder? LOL! I need an Ozzy tape! Forward works and sounds real good.
 
Can you trace the wiring from the heads back to a relay somewhere-then test that relay. I would think both play heads route to the same relay.
 
I purchased my AKAI GXC-730D new in the late 70s. It failed in the 80s and I stored it in the attic. With the CA stay at home orders, I've gotten it out to see of I can fix it. I've read the forums for hours and yesterday took it apart. Belts (3) are on order. Counter belt, per forum entries, was suggested as the problem area, and that seems to be true as the counter belt is stretched and loose, and will not rotate the counter. My question to the more experienced is what else should I clean or replace, especially in the cassette deck area now that it is exposed. To expose the counter belt, I removed two screws holding two metal pieces. Included photos show the counter belt and the two pieces I removed to gain access. Any suggestions, other than belt replacements which I will do, wouIMG_0510.JPG IMG_0522.JPG ld be appreciated.
 
cinco777 said:
I purchased my AKAI GXC-730D new in the late 70s. It failed in the 80s and I stored it in the attic. With the CA stay at home orders, I've gotten it out to see of I can fix it. I've read the forums for hours and yesterday took it apart. Belts (3) are on order. Counter belt, per forum entries, was suggested as the problem area, and that seems to be true as the counter belt is stretched and loose, and will not rotate the counter. My question to the more experienced is what else should I clean or replace, especially in the cassette deck area now that it is exposed. To expose the counter belt, I removed two screws holding two metal pieces. Included photos show the counter belt and the two pieces I removed to gain access. Any suggestions, other than belt replacements which I will do, wouView attachment 1808170 View attachment 1808171 ld be appreciated.
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Check the condition of your rubber rollers... they are pretty important on Older Akai cassette decks. You can have them redone, I can't remember the place or guy but someone will. Since I was in mine I disassembled and lubed the entire drive train...it need it. I used some conditioner on my rollers...in hindsight I should have had them redone because they are and important part on these decks.I used these products on my rollers and for cleaning. Changing the counter belt fixes alot of the issues.I had pictures of the entire drivetrain disassembled but I didn't post them and deleted them after showing a few people. Your going to have to move some stuff around, I didn't have to unsolder anything, I was able to route and move everything.1585419293109-580388766.jpg
 
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Thanks for the advice re the rubber rollers and for the references re cleaning solutions and someone who restores the rubber rollers. My first impression is that my rollers look better than expected after 40 years but I will look closer. First impressions can be deceiving. I will clean them and view them with a magnifying glass and also do a touch test (and reclean). I am awaiting the belts before continuing.

I've taken many photos (no videos) so should be able to put it back together without ending up with extra parts.
 
cinco777 said:
Thanks for the advice re the rubber rollers and for the references re cleaning solutions and someone who restores the rubber rollers. My first impression is that my rollers look better than expected after 40 years but I will look closer. First impressions can be deceiving. I will clean them and view them with a magnifying glass and also do a touch test (and reclean). I am awaiting the belts before continuing.

I've taken many photos (no videos) so should be able to put it back together without ending up with extra parts.
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It's a little tricky because there is alot of disassembly around the counter and memory button, cut loose some wire bundle ties get some wires loose it's not as hard as people made it out to be...but I am mechanically inclined. It's been awhile since I've done mine, I did a Nakamichi BX150 a few weeks after the Akai... trying not to confuse them. The Akai sounds really nice when done.
 
IMG_0500.JPG Thanks again. I was surprised when checking the attic that I had saved eight A/V items from years ago. I've now fixed three including a Sony 300 CDs jutebox (it only needed three new belts). I have a Pioneer SX-1050 but after watching XrayTonyB's 5-part restore series on YouTube, will leave that as last. I neither have his soldering skills nor his wealth of test equipment.

With the minimal disassembly I've done so far on my 730D, I have access to replace two of Its three belts. It appears that I'll have to remove a shaft nut or more to install a new main drive belt. Additionally, the very bottom center of my unit was covered with a thin layer of grease, yet showed none on its top inner surface. I removed the grease and have a few ideas as to what created the grease. I've attached a before photo for anyone to comment on its origin. Take care and good listening.
 
I replaced the counter belt and now want to replace the drive belt. If someone has replaced the drive belt, which parts do I need to remove to gain access to the drive pulleys in order to replace the drive belt?
 
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