Hi Dave,

Suggest you first look at Colin's video on this machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjLNalBU2c&t=234s ). He is pretty much spot on with the issues on this.

As a general rule the Gold-coloured capacitors in the power supply board need replacing (with modern equivalents) and if you're lucky this will bring the thing back to life. If you don't hear a "click" from the power supply solenoids when you take the machine out of standby then the clear-plastic solenoids are likely corroded or gunky. A spray of servisol sometimes fixes this one.

As Colin's video shows - sometimes - it's a fault on the front (keys) panel that is the cause, but I have found this to be quite rare.

Hope this helps

Rob

I have a Grundig 2 x 4 Super video 2000 with a faulty power board. Does anyone know where i can get hold of either a working power board, a service manual for this machine, or perhaps just a circuit diagram of the power board?

Thanks

Hi,

Has anyone got a new or very good condition video head for a Philips VR2022 they'd like to sell please?

Thanks

Rich.

Problem solved on my vr2022. It was broken solder joints on the rectifier on the main power board.

Also, has anyone got an unused or a very good condition pinch roller for the vr2022 for sale please?

Thanks again

Rich.

Hi all.

I have a problem with my Philips vr2022 whereby the solenoid between the supply and take up reels keeps clicking very fast when I press the tape transport functions. Even when I press power it clicks. It doesn't click when I power on if the cassette lid is in the open position.

I've changed the battery and taken out that usual capacitor that goes up in smoke on the small power cable PCB (because it did actually blow).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Have you double checked that all of the plug in connectors are seated correctly?

Hi!

I can't figure out what is up with my Grundig 2280! It keeps spinning take up reel. Sometimes starts clicking, loosing led display, etc. Weird. Anyone familiar with this issue on this model?

Hi! I have a Grundig 2280 that enters fast forward as soon as I insert a cassette. It will not stop when buttons pressed. Any ideas why anyone.

Hi! I have a Grundig 2280 I picked up from a friend that wasn't accepting tapes. Turned out to be a foreign object in the machine and a C-clip came off one of the tape threading arms. I fixed these but there is no sign of power on the machine. Checked the fuse in the mains. It was still good. Is there another fuse for the mains? I hope to get this deck up and running.

Hi Rob

I've managed to get rid of most of the white lines after adjusting the DOC but now I've got some ghosting on the picture.

I guess I'll have to change the caps. D'oh!

Rich.

Rob,

Thank you. I shall proceed with caution and let you know.

Regards

Rich.

Rich,

The DOC pot could be the one you said, but you need to check the manual as my memory is good - but not that good. I recall you can just get to it while the tape deck is playing (if you position it right). There is another one in a similar place - different colour - which should NOT be touched . So make sure you have the right one.

Rob

Hi Rob.

Thank you for that explanation.

I'll see if I can get hold of the service manual somehow online and look up those caps and the drop out compensator.

The dropout compensator pot....is it the yellow pot that is at the rear top, approx halfway along the rear pcb (showing through the metal head can)?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Rich.

Hi Rich,

I'm away at the moment so this is from memory. I used the service manual for the vr2324 that can be found on the web - albeit in Dutch or German I recall.

I believe the board is called a160 but is the one where the video heads and loads of other things plug into underneath the tape deck. The sound board is mounted vertically on the back of the tape deck and underneath there are two boards separated. It's the one with the most plugs!

I was told to suspect the smaller electrolytic capacitors which can dry out over time. I think I just replaced all of them - about 20 or so.

Also, your heads may be newish but the tapes can deteriorate quite badly over time. I have had to change the dropout compensator setting - also on the a160 - to deal with 35 yo tapes. It's a pot near the top of the board - ie near the back of the tape deck when in situ. The service manual shows you which one. I think it's marked 'doc'. But if course be careful and mark it's current setting before changing anything.

And remember you have the extra long play version so the board will be different to the 2324

Good luck.

Rob

Rob,

Many thanks for that suggestion. It's worse on some tapes than others. I thought it might be the DTF playing up but after I properly cleaned the contacts with ipa and put it all back together it was still there.

It's a very low hours machine which was last serviced in 2004 by a Philips specialist (the chap even stuck little stickers on the metal head shield detailing what's been done and the dates of service from 1990-2004).

So the pcb you're talking about is the one directly under the deck as you lift it out? Do you happen to have some sort of service manual that has the information on what caps are installed please? It'll save me loads of time if I know which ones to order etc.

By the way, have you done a follow up video on YouTube of your new Philips n1700?

Many thanks Rob.

Rich.

Rich,

I haven't worked on your model but have seen these dropout like symptoms on other mark 2 Philips such as the vr2324 and the earlier portable - the vr2220/21 I think it was.

It turned out to be bad caps on the video board. The one underneath the tape deck a160? I recapped most of the small caps and that fixed it. I didn't have an esr meter in those days so couldn't tell you which one was the culprit.

Rob

Hi all,

I've just acquired a boxed Philips vr2840 and everything seems to work fine apart from some picture interference. There are horizontal white lines on the screen which look like lots of tape drop-outs but the tapes I'm using are NOS. I've cleaned the tape path, heads and DTF section carefully and fitted a new pinch roller to no effect.

Does anyone have a clue as to what it could be please?

Thanks

Rich.

Anyone know where the end of tape sensor connector plugs into in a Grundig 808 2x4 Stereo? I figured out all the others. Swapped in a reconditioned transport mechanism.

No, the Grundig 2280 is different model than the 1600. It features DTF and lacks tracking control nob. It is more similar to the 2200 model but features "long play" mode like the Phillips VR2840.