Zenith Video Recorder VR 1830 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Tripredacus · #1 04-04-2019, 11:22 AM

I mentioned this VCR in another thread but I figured I would make a new one for it, since I have put it on my list for repair. This is the Zenith VR 1830 and it is one of those VCRs where the tapes go in sideways.

Note that there is not any marking as to which way to put the tape in. I had already opened the unit up prior to even attempting it, so I know where the head is located, and that the machine doesn't do anything goofy like changing orientation or anything like that.

Some basic things. This is the front. The clock is present but is very dim when on or off. In contrast, the channel number is very bright. I do not think that this is due to an issue with the display. All of the channel numbers have the same brightness with exception to Channel 3, which will flash. I am not sure if this relates to the RF Switch on the back or not.

The front panel folds down and there are some buttons. On the left is the tracking knob. Then there is Clock Adjust switch, Timer and Select buttons. Additional Channel up/down buttons, Cancel/Skip and Repeat/Add buttons. Then switches (left to right, top to bottom): Band (TV/CATV), AFC (Norm/SPCL), Source Select (TV/AUX), CH Set (Off/On), Counter Memory (Off/On) and SP/EP.

Here is the back info plate:

This is the connectors.
V.Lock is a hole (I do not know what this is)
Remote Pause (another hole)
Ch 3/ Ch 4 switch
Video In/Out (composite)
Audio In/Out (composite)
VHF/UHF/CATV ANT In/ ANT Out (coax/RF)

Tripredacus · #2 04-04-2019, 11:33 AM

This is the remote it comes with, after it was cleaned.

There is no model on it, but I suspect there was a label on the back that is just not there anymore. I was also able to tell that it has been opened in the past, as one of the plastic clips inside is broken.

I often feel there is not enough love (or information sometimes) regarding remotes. So here is something for you all.

This remote had a different type of battery. It was corroded and I do not have any of these types of batteries. Hence, the remote has not been tested.

Here is the remote with the back removed.

And here it is with the PCB lifted and the membrane removed.

Note some things here. First of all, I did not take a picture of the button side of the remote before I took it apart. This will be something I should remember for the future. Each of the buttons in this is a separate piece of plastic. Each have notches, so that the buttons go in a certain direction. They are reversed on some so that they were able to save some manufacturing costs. For example, for Channel/Volume Up/Down, being 4 separate buttons, are all interchangeable. Also the same for FF/Rewind buttons. They are the same thing but one is just upside down and the buttons and the slots they go into are notched accordingly. Also there is a small spring near the top. So if you were to force one of these apart (because it can be difficult) you may have an explosion of buttons and the spring and potentially lose them!

Since this thread will be a repair thread, I can post these two pictures here:
First this is how I get torque on small screws. As good as these screw drivers are, if the screw is very tight, there is no grip on them. Some pliers fixes that issue.

And you see above an ice cube tray. This is what I use to put parts into. Each cube has a number and when I take something apart, I write down what number it goes into, and where it came from. I also do take pictures with my phone so I have a before reference.

And that is it for now. I will post some internals in a bit.

Blast · #3 04-04-2019, 10:51 PM

Interesting deck. I worked on a LOT of VCR's in the 90's and being Zenith authorized (among many others) I saw a LOT of Zenith's.

That said, I only saw 3 of these 1986 JVC built Zenith model VR1830's during that time. And, not for any extreme problems- one was just a power cord replacement and the others had minor issues like cleaning and alignment.

There was another side-loading model. But, I don't remember the model number.

The flashing '3' has nothing to do with the RF switch on the rear panel. It likely has to do with channel tuning but, for the life of me, I don't remember how to set that function.

Most '86 JVC's have about 3 or 4 problems and, once those are ironed out, become a very high quality 'keeper'. Looks like it, and the remote, are in good shape. Have fun with yours!

Brian

zeno · #4 04-05-2019, 10:36 AM

For the screws order a set of ISO screwdrivers. They are a perfect
fit & the screws will loosen with a little snap noise.
The battery is a "J" type camera battery. They could last 5 yrs
easily, I still have one that works with the original batt. Sometimes
the connector will grow tiny crystals & go int or dead. Just scratch at
them.
There may be a dimmer switch but its been years....
I have one of these & I will look for the owners manual. I had service manuals
but they all went to the dump, hundreds of VCR's a lot of gone $$$

73 Zeno

LFOD !

Tripredacus · #5 04-05-2019, 11:16 AM

Here is what it looks like with the cover removed. It is quite dirty in the back portion where the transformer is. Also on the main PCB you can see three white tabs, these are actually hinges. There are two screws you can take out on the PCB (one has the "thingy" as previously seen in the temp screw list post above).

Here is my reference pic for screw placement, also you can see the thingy.

With those screws removed, I can open the main PCB up. Fortunately, no wires need to be disconnected to open it fully.

If you could read my temp screw list from above, tray spot 1 I had crossed something out. Well there are four screws that hold the cover on, and 3 are the same and one is different. This is an indication to me that this unit has been previously serviced and/or (at least) opened. In this picture I took of the transformer area, it would appear that one of the screws for the mount is missing. Not really certain, but that empty hold looks out of place.

While the tape can be put in, and it can "play" and rewind and fast forward, I do not get any meaningful video. I have not tried RF, currently only using composite video output to my PVM. I will have to bring in another deck to act as a go between to see if the RF works. I did not take a video, but generally the video output on composite is some form of what can be seen here:

Blast · #6 04-05-2019, 11:57 AM

OK. Will it pass E-E video? In other words, with an antenna (or, cable) connected and turned to a working channel, can you see video (and, hear audio) from the channel being received?
Hint: Try many channels. Try 2-6, 7-13 and go higher up into the 30's and 40's.

Electronic M · #7 04-05-2019, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripredacus

Here is what it looks like with the cover removed. It is quite dirty in the back portion where the transformer is. Also on the main PCB you can see three white tabs, these are actually hinges. There are two screws you can take out on the PCB (one has the "thingy" as previously seen in the temp screw list post above).

Here is my reference pic for screw placement, also you can see the thingy.

With those screws removed, I can open the main PCB up. Fortunately, no wires need to be disconnected to open it fully.

If you could read my temp screw list from above, tray spot 1 I had crossed something out. Well there are four screws that hold the cover on, and 3 are the same and one is different. This is an indication to me that this unit has been previously serviced and/or (at least) opened. In this picture I took of the transformer area, it would appear that one of the screws for the mount is missing. Not really certain, but that empty hold looks out of place.

While the tape can be put in, and it can "play" and rewind and fast forward, I do not get any meaningful video. I have not tried RF, currently only using composite video output to my PVM. I will have to bring in another deck to act as a go between to see if the RF works. I did not take a video, but generally the video output on composite is some form of what can be seen here:

I have a Zenith model 3300 Side loader...Basically the up optioned HiFi stereo version of yours...Mine needed only one thing: one of the big lytic caps (IIRC 2200uF 35V) on the power transformer board changed to make it into a runner...Video looked kinda similar to yours only brighter and hints of video from the tape were leaking through occasionally.
Change the big PS caps out and it will probably wake up.

Your "thingie" is a grounding spring or grounding fingers for the metal top cover....With that grounded to the circuitry it could act as a very large EMI shield.

If you've ever seen inside a normal VCR and watched tape loading it is not hard to logic out which way the tape should go in without opening it...There ain't enough room ot rotate the tape (that would also be double the existing overcomplication) and the machine is wide enough for a head drum to be left of the tape so the door flap on the tape has gotta face left.

Blast · #8 04-05-2019, 05:49 PM

Oh, yeah! VR3300! That was the other one! Looked at about eight of those, again mid to late 90's. Again, mostly minor stuff on those eight but, did have one that I followed up on incomplete work done (or, NOT done) by a prior servicer. Won't go into all that right now....

Yep, capacitors. Big problem. Would look at those first before going further.

He said, "Thingy". Heh-heh. Huh. Heh-heh.