Fisher FVH-730 Winder Issue - Videokarma.org TV - Video

TinCanAlley · #1 01-26-2026, 11:04 AM

Since working on my TV, I got back into working on some other equipment I've had on my list for a while. This time it's a VCR from '84 or so. The main issue is the transport issue. It will take the tape and drop it in place, but when you try to eject it, it will raise unevenly and jam. I'm trying to remove the assembly, but the SM seems to show the removal being 4 screws, but I can only see 2 of them and will have to see what needs to move to uncover the other 2. I'm hoping it's just gummed up grease as it's over 40 years old.

I've already replaced the belts and idler tire, but am trying to fix the winder issue before I put it back to a state where I can try playing a tape to see if the new belts and tire work. I'm attaching a couple pics of the winder out of the unit and in the unit from above. I replace the idler on this, but I'm not sure it was totally necessary as it is spring loaded to adjust for wear of the rubber. I replaced it because I wasn't able to RW or FF and figured it was slipping. After replacing the idler, I reassembled it, but it still won't work. I watched it carefully and it seems to swing over to the supply reel for RW, but it isn't turning it. In FF it swings over to the take up reel, but doesn't turn that either. I put a tape in and observed the winder from the bottom side and noticed that it is making direct contact with the supply reel, but is about 1/16" or so away from making contact with the take up reel. I'm a bit perplexed as the way a plastic wheel would be used to contact a plastic wheel. Not only that, but why won't it travel all the way to make contact. I've check the entire assembly and I can't see any way of adjusting it. It has a post that slides along a plastic bar that is used to center the wheel when play mode. All other times the bar is retracted and the wheel swings back and forth based on the rotation of the idler. I've circled that bar as well as the little post on the winder as it is fully to the side that should make contact with the take up reel. It has reach the limit of travel it would seem, so why the gap between?

Anyway, if all that is left not working is the winder, I can live with that. According to the SM, the winder is in a neutral position in all modes other than FF and RW.

If anyone would like images of the transport, let me know.

Thanks!

jmm83 · #2 01-26-2026, 04:42 PM

could it be the rubber piece? maybe it doesn't have enough grip

I've fixed a few of the FVH 800 series but never owned a 700 series
seems like the problem on the 800 series is the idler tire they don't seem to last very long I'm wondering if it's the same for the 700 series. maybe try a bigger idler for your 730 & see if it makes a difference

TinCanAlley · #3 01-27-2026, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmm83

could it be the rubber piece? maybe it doesn't have enough grip

I've fixed a few of the FVH 800 series but never owned a 700 series
seems like the problem on the 800 series is the idler tire they don't seem to last very long I'm wondering if it's the same for the 700 series. maybe try a bigger idler for your 730 & see if it makes a difference

I replaced the idler tire. The new tire was slightly larger as the old one wore down (you can see all the rubber debris on the assembly). It has enough grip as when I put in a tape that needs rewinding, it will rewind. The issue with FF is they plastic wheel doesn't even make contact with the take up reel. It's oh so close, but not enough. The plastic wheel still has the ribs on it, so it's not worn. The take up reel seems okay as well. Just can't figure out why the wheel isn't traveling far enough to make contact. In the one pic, you can see the arm of the winder I circled. It is making contact with the black plastic, so further travel is not possible. Maybe I should take out the take up reel and see if it is worn, but I'm pretty sure if it were, the winder would show wear as well and the ribs would be worn down.

I really like this unit and would like to get it fully restored.

I'll try to get a video of the winder moving into position and the gap that exists between it and the reel.

TinCanAlley · #4 01-27-2026, 05:55 PM

Here's a pic showing the gap. The winder is at full travel towards the take up reel. Even if the winder or reel had worn, it wouldn't have created such a gap.

Ignore how dirty it is inside. I didn't want to do a full cleaning until I knew if it was going to be a functioning unit again.

TinCanAlley · #5 01-27-2026, 06:56 PM

I found one more thing to try. I was doing a search for a replacement take up reel, but had no luck finding one. The SM shows it as one complete unit.

During my search I came across a site, worldradiohistory, and it is a PDF of a tech magazine. In it they have a how-to for the fisher 510 that has the same winder setup as the 730. It was about slippage, etc and how to fix. It appears that the take up and supply reels have a rubber tire around the base, but Fisher never sold anything but the entire reel. The article notes that the ST1.420 tire fits the reel and that replacing it is simple. They also noted replacement of the winder, but I haven't been able to locate one. The image of mine looks like the worn one they replaced, but it isn't too far off from the new one they installed.

Anyway, going to order 2 tires and replace on both reels. Mabey both have worn so much that it is still able to reach the supply, but not the take up. Worth a shot.