Really want to get this Aiwa AD-F800 working perfectly **HELP**

Hajidub

Hajidub

I'm Freaking Out Mannnn!
Subscriber
First of all the only SM I have for this unit is out of the UK and it's horrible. The original issue was with frequent shut offs. Opened it up, replaced with new belts (have to say the replacement was the easiest of any deck I've done). It took longer to open the unit than to replace the 2 belts. While I was in there I cleaned the roller and capstans, not very dirty. Worked great for a week or so then I noticed it would shut off again; BUT only towards the beginning and toward the end of a cassette. I'm clueless to decks beyond belts and cleaning, the digital timer works (heard a lot of mention on here), but honestly I'm stuck with what to check next.

This is an incredible sounding deck and has taken my attention from my Akai GX units for good, if I can get it working perfectly. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Register to hide this ad
I have the same deck, and it is beginning to display the same issues. I have not tried to solve, but only FF or REW the tape to improve the tape pack.

I have read enough to suggest it is related to idler tire or clutch wear on the spidles or similar. Maybe I should correct myself-I speculate that it is......:D

So for now, I am :lurk:

Good luck, as I too am quite impressed with the sound quality of recordings made with that deck.

Paul
 
tapetech said:
It needs a new idler tire. This company may have one that fits. You can resurface it with course sandpaper as a temporary fix.
Click to expand...

Is the idler tire the rubber wheel below the capstan at I look in the front?

***Never mind I was thinking of the pinch roller*** I looked through the SM for the 810 model and it doesn't show an idler tire.
 
Last edited:
Here is the idler tire.

Remove the tire and measure the width, outside diameter and inside diameter (in mm) and get back to us.
 

Attachments

  • Picture 6.png
    Picture 6.png
    105.9 KB · Views: 66
Last edited:
Thanks Alex! It looks like some major disassembly is required to get to it, will undertake it next week.
 
Got the idler tire off, wow that was a chore. Unfortunately it doesn't match any of sizing chart offerings from Tapetech's website (correct OD, not inner).

Alex I'd be curious how you knew the dimensions, is there somewhere you can steer me to for a replacement.

BTW, is there a symptom I should notice with the naked eye that tells me the idler tire is bad?
 
Hajidub said:
Got the idler tire off, wow that was a chore. Unfortunately it doesn't match any of sizing chart offerings from Tapetech's website (correct OD, not inner). Alex I'd be curious how you knew the dimensions, is there somewhere you can steer me to for a replacement.
Click to expand...

I have a suitable replacement (a slightly smaller tyre however when fitted it works fine and has right dimensions), drop me a PM.

Hajidub said:
BTW, is there a symptom I should notice with the naked eye that tells me the idler tire is bad?
Click to expand...

The surface is dried out and doesn't have enough grip.

One important question - you've said you've replaced the belts. Where from did you get new belts? Only Fred Marrs has correct Aiwa belts for that mechanism, other suppliers "generic" belts do not work properly (even if it looks like they do - eventually you'll have problems).

Cheers

Alex
 
Alex Nikitin said:
I have a suitable replacement (a slightly smaller tyre however when fitted it works fine and has right dimensions), drop me a PM.



The surface is dried out and doesn't have enough grip.

One important question - you've said you've replaced the belts. Where from did you get new belts? Only Fred Marrs has correct Aiwa belts for that mechanism, other suppliers "generic" belts do not work properly (even if it looks like they do - eventually you'll have problems).

Cheers

Alex
Click to expand...

I order all my belts from VintageElectronicsCC.com. I might try another set of belts from Marrs Comm prior to moving forward with any t-shooting.
 
Hajidub said:
I order all my belts from VintageElectronicsCC.com. I might try another set of belts from Marrs Comm prior to moving forward with any t-shooting.
Click to expand...

AFAIK, VintageElectronicsCC sells only generic belts. Unfortunately the belt "B" for the Aiwa (the one between capstans) needs to be of an exact size (4mm wide, 0.4mm thick and 228mm internal circumference) otherwise the tape tension between capstans will be incorrect (with some generic belts sold for that Aiwa it is so low that the deck may have a problem with erasing old recordings). Belt "A" between the capstan motor and the take-up capstan is less critical but W&F depend heavily on the quality of that belt - with a generic belt 0.08-0.1% DIN wtd is about the best you can get even on the Aiwa XK-009, but with a quality "A" belt from Marrs 0.035-0.04% DIN wtd is possible. On the Aiwa AD-F800 the W&F could be aroung 0.1-0.12% with a generic belt and 0.06-0.07% with a quality belt "A".

Cheers

Alex
 
I realize this thread is extremely old, but I thought I would give a post a go regardless…I too have this deck and it is very finicky with older tapes. New cassettes (yes, we are in a revival lately) play perfectly (not really a revelation). I suffer from the same symptom as the OP more less where certain tapes will bog and eventually stop play. I replaced the belts (from DeckTech) and the idler (from FixYourAudio) with the correct diameters and no resolution. I can usually take a problematic tape and try it on my other other deck (Yamaha K-340) and it will power through them…most times. The ones that pose a problem with this deck I will conclude it’s just a beat up tape that’s time to be discarded. I have to assume this is a torque issue, and can it be related to the pinch rollers (not yet replaced and I cannot seem to find a good source)? Any other thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
 
Hi all! Does anyone happen to have the measurements for the AD-M600 play idler the small one? Also the 2 idler tire sizes. Mine are evaporated can’t measure. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom