Hello! Working on a RE-201 Space Echo, I've gone ahead and done all the usual mechanical overhauls (new pinch roller, guide arm, padding, head cleaning, and demagnetizing process) and installed a new replacement (1 meter) tape from GRS. Unit works fine for about an hour and then, consistently now across three tapes, the tape appears to become magnetized TO the heads themselves to the point that it simply stops moving and the tension right before the pinch roller is extremely taught. I've eliminated other possibilities (pinch roller pressure, guide arm tension, etc.) and cleaned the heads like crazy, but this issue occurs repeatedly. I've worked on a handful of space echos, tape echos, cassette decks, reel to reels, elcaset, etc. and never run into an issue even slightly comparable to this. I can use tweezers to play with the tape as it sticks to the head and feel the magnetic pull as I move the tape away.
Someone did a partial rebuild (a few electrolytics, transistors, and for some reason a little transformer mounted to the power supply PCB) prior to this coming onto my bench, I'm very confused about the purpose of the transformer and it appears to have been a sloppy technician.
Really hope someone has some input on this as I've searched and searched and haven't found a post voicing a similar issue.
All the best!
Someone did a partial rebuild (a few electrolytics, transistors, and for some reason a little transformer mounted to the power supply PCB) prior to this coming onto my bench, I'm very confused about the purpose of the transformer and it appears to have been a sloppy technician.
Really hope someone has some input on this as I've searched and searched and haven't found a post voicing a similar issue.
All the best!