The repair and service history for most Beta VCRs has shown that they are very durable, but not indestructible. There are a few mechanical and electrical components that have been found to fail from wear, design flaws, and age. Breakage and cracking of the molded thermoplastic parts is also a common problem. These complications can result in faulty operation or total failure, so they are attended to during refurbishing and repairs. Noted below is a list of these issues and the steps taken to correct them, restore proper operation, and prevent future break downs. The modules that apply are noted in the model's description. LIST OF MODULES AND SOLUTIONS 1...Intermediate gear upgrade: This drive gear that turns the threading and loading transmission components cracks from age and use. This failure allows the center shaft that it is molded on to spin freely. No cassette loading or tape path threading can be successfully performed when this gear cracks. The machine usually shuts down after several failed attempts. This problem is corrected by replacing the broken plastic gear with one that is made of metal. This prevents future failure. This upgrade is performed on every model that has this gear. It ensures flawless, reliable performance going forward. 2...End-of-unload sensor upgrade: This sensor tells the processor that the tape path components are in the correct position to allow for threading to commence. It also notifies the processor that the path has been returned to the parked position and cassette removal can commence. Failure occurs because the post that holds the return spring for the sensor comes loose. This allows it to become located in the wrong position at the wrong time. This confuses the VCR, causing it to abort operation and send the unit into shutdown. The correction is to modify the sensor mount so that the spring can no longer come loose. 3...FL loader gear correction: This model uses a motor-driven front loader with a universal coupling to transfer power to a worm gear that moves a circular drive wheel. The plastic coupling is molded onto the motor shaft, and it cracks from age. To prevent this future failure, a new coupling made from reinforced carbon fiber replaces the cracked universal. This material has been shown to be more resistant to shrinkage and aging. 4...Loading/threading gear upgrade: This model uses a motor-driven threading transmission incorporating a universal coupling. It transfers power to a worm gear that moves a circular drive wheel. The coupling is made of plastic that is molded onto the motor shaft, and it cracks from age. To prevent this future failure, a new coupling made from carbon fiber plastic replaces the cracked component. This material has been shown to be more resistant to shrinkage and aging. 5...Capstan upgrade: This unit's capstan design uses surface-mounted capacitors soldered to a printed circuit board. As they age, these caps leak corrosive electrolytic fluid. This attacks the copper traces (the conductors) on the board underneath them, which in turn damages the circuitry and eventually stops the capstan from turning. The correction for this is to repair the copper traces and to replace the capacitors with a better design that is less prone to degradation and leakage. Only applies to models with capstans that have surface-mounted capacitors. 6...Auto tracking module upgrade: Unique to the SL-HF2000. This model uses an auto-tracking module that has surface-mounted capacitors that leak as they age. Eventually this part fails, and the VCR can no longer find the tracking center needed for creating a steady picture. Video will appear in pause and scan because these modes don't use the tracking pulse to generated a picture. But when playback is resumed, the picture goes blank or to a blue screen because the module is failing to sense the tracking control pulse. The correction (and upgrade) is to repair the copper traces and replace the surface capacitors with ones that don't leak electrolyte as they age. 7...LED VU meter correction: Applies only to the SL-HF300, SL-HF500, and SL-HF750. The audio VU meter in this model uses LEDs that are printed on a fiber circuit board. As these LEDs age, they start to fail. The correction is to replace the LEDs or VU meter with a better design that is not as susceptible to failure. To see how this is performed here. 8...Loading drive gear replacement: Applies only to the Sony SL-2001 and Zenith VR 9500 portable Betas. The plastic gear that drives the threading ring cracks and can't move the slider assembly. The VCR is unable to complete the loading process, and operation is prevented. The VCR tries to pull out the tape, but it usually gets caught. The correction is to press a new upgraded plastic gear onto the driveshaft. 9...Touch panel upgrade: Unique to the SL-HF2100. The touch panel door illumination fails over time. This occurs because feed wires sending the power to the LEDs break after repeated flexing. The correction (and upgrade) is to replace and reroute the wiring. To see this service in steps, click here. 10...Loading assembly upgrade: Unique to the SLO-1800 cassette production duplicator. This Betamax incorporates a unique metal loader assembly. It has plastic trackways molded into the side plates used for guiding the receiving tray into position during cassette loading. Over time these tracks crack, become distorted, and break loose. This prevents smooth operation and eventually causes complete failure. The correction (and upgrade) is to rebuild the loader and restore the trackways. This returns it to its proper operation. To see how this rebuild is performed click, here. 11...None that repeat: This VCR had no known habitual issues. Its repair history is either limited, or identical preventative measures were seldom needed. This should not be interpreted to mean that breakdowns or repairs were never needed for this design. Any device as complex as a Beta VCR can fail. It just means that this one did not demonstrate any regular breakdowns due to a design or component shortfall. If properly serviced and maintained, this Beta is as close to trouble-free as it gets. 12...Linear skate drive: Unique to the SL-HF750. The motor that moves the linear skating assembly (the moving drawer) has a coupling with a castle-shaped driver made of molded plastic. It is pressed onto the motor's output shaft, and it cracks over time. This coupling mates up with a worm gear that moves a set of gears, which in turn moves the drawer. Once it cracks, the coupling slips on the shaft, and the drawer becomes unreliable. The preventative measure for this eventuality is to replace the driving component with one that is molded using a tough fiber-impregnated polymer that is less prone to failure. This upgrade is performed on every SL-HF750 that I repair, recondition, or refurbish. NOTATION: This listing is constantly being upgraded. As I continue to encounter new challenges, repeat offenders will become evident. If they become frequent enough to standardize, they will be added to this record. For more information about the operation, conservation, and durability of the Beta format, consult the "Operation, safety, and protection" panel by clicking here. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage