Panasonic NV-HS860

[Traderbam]

Hi, I've an 860, panel lights up as normal when powering on, but nothing moves inside. Pushing in a tape doesn't seem to move any of the mechanism, but the motor does seem to be spinning. The drum doesn't spin at all so something is well broken on the loading side of things.

Any suggested steps for a newbie to try to diagnose further?

I took off the head (which doesn't look in great shape at all from a visual perspective) and it seems to be the rotary transformer that is stuck. It looks like the darker grey "pin" should allow this to be released but I cannot remove it. It seems to be sitting lower than the proper guardrails that it runs on.


[Attachment 76702 - Click to enlarge]

[Attachment 76703 - Click to enlarge]

https://files.videohelp.com/u/303864/VID_20240201_212100.mp4

[Traderbam]

Update, I did take off the head and managed to unlock the lower part of the drum. Just refitting this seemed to do the trick. Is the part in image 2 supposed to be lubricated where it spins?

Tape loading is a big problem - I'm wondering if the machine is stuck in the wrong mode? The idler mechanism seems to be spinning before the tape is even fully inserted. Maybe a mode selector clean down may help (if I can find it).

Is there a recommended way to remove the connectors to the circuit board? The connector with blue wires is really difficult to disconnect and want to make sure I am doing it right. Any clips to remove?

[dellsam34]

Save your time and effort, that VCR is shot, the head is too far gone and cannot be repaired, The drum is severely scored, the heads are chipped, I guess someone was using it as a bench grinder, just find another VCR and move on.

[Traderbam]

Assuming I can get a new head/drum is it not worth trying to sort the mechanism?

[dellsam34]

The only way to get another drum assembly is to get another VCR unfortunately.

[Traderbam]

Thanks, will keep this one to the side for parts for my better 860.

[themaster1]

Tape loading is a big problem - I'm wondering if the machine is stuck in the wrong mode? The idler mechanism seems to be spinning before the tape is even fully inserted. Maybe a mode selector clean down may help (if I can find it).

Sounds like the mode Switch is not well timed or broken /dirty . inspect it

Generally it is below the mech ( so you have to take everything apart) but there are some ancient vcr's that use something else than a mode switch i believe. Anyway find your service manual for more answers

[Traderbam]

I had a look, cleaned the mode switch but it didn't make any difference, unless I put it back in the wrong position.

I think all the timing needs reset which will involved a lot more learning/researching.

Does anyone have a list of units that would use the same part numbers as the 860? VXP2049 is the head number but a quick google didn't show up anything else with this number.

[oln]

The NV-HS960 is mostly the same just with some extra editing features so I believe it uses mostly the same parts.

The mechanism (Z mechanism) other than the head drum and head amplifier mount was used in most consumer Panasonic vcrs outside of north america between 1998 up to and including 2002 though most use a head drum with the motor mounted on top. Only the first SVHS decks with this mech and possibly some latin american or asian models use this mechanism with the older style head drum like in this vcr. THe later SVHS models also use the top mounted head drum motor so the head drums on those will also be incompatible. Some of the SVHS models use a metal left tape guide but otherwise I believe the mechanism is mostly the same between models, though they may have tweaked it slightly over the years it was used.

[Traderbam]

I've managed to tear quite a bit of it down but can't get the cam gear off.

One of the issues seems to be the rack arm (connected to cam gear) is bending upwards, and instead of it pushing the right side plate, it jumps over the edge of the side plate and so the plate itself doesn't move properly along its rail (See video)

Nothing else seems to be move as expected so I'm wondering if the motor is knackered. What's the best way to test it in isolation?

[lordsmurf]

I've managed to tear quite a bit of it down

That's the easy part. Let us know how rebuild goes.

And let us know how many extra parts you have when done.

[Traderbam]

I've managed to tear quite a bit of it down

That's the easy part. Let us know how rebuild goes.

And let us know how many extra parts you have when done.

Yes... all nicely put together again until I lifted unit up and realised I'd missed one of the bands on the bottom

See video in previous post for one issue. For a beginner how can I check if the motor is properly working? If it isn't the motor then it must be some of the belts too slack/worn on the underside belts I reckon.

One thing I noticed is missing compared to service manual is the SS brake arm on the underside. Is this an essential component and possibly related?

[themaster1]

[QUOTE=Traderbam;2723135][QUOTE=lordsmurf;2723103]

For a beginner how can I check if the motor is properly working?

You can feed it 5 Volts dc i believe, never did it myself though