The repair and service history for most Beta VCRs has shown that they are very durable but not indestructible. There a few mechanical and electrical components have been found to be prone to failure from wear, design flaws, or age. Breakage and cracking of the molded thermoplastic parts is the most common problem. These usually result in total failure so they to the list for repairs and refurbishing. Listed below are the steps taken to correct these known issues and restore proper operation. These solutions apply only to certain Beta designs so consult the models description to determine which of these apply. These improvements are always performed during refurbishing and when making customer repairs, even if they have yet to fail. This preventative measure prolongs the models life expectancy. LIST OF ITEMS 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 to every model that has this gear. It insures 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 signals that the path has been return to the parked position once eject has been requested. The post the holds the return spring for the sensor breaks and 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 on to the motor shaft and it cracks from age. To correct this failure a new coupling made from reinforced carbon fiber replaces the cracked universal. This material has shown to 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 on to the motor shaft and it cracks from age. To correct this failure a new coupling made from carbon fiber plastic replaces the cracked component. This material has shown to more resistant to shrinkage and aging. 5...Capstan upgrade: This units 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. But when playback is resumed the pictures goes blank or to 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 VU meter in this model uses LEDs that are printed on a separate circuit board. As these LEDs age they start to fail. The correction is to replace the LEDs or 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 the 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 duplicator. This Betamax incorporates a unique metal loader assembly. It has plastic trackways molded into the sides plates for guiding the receiving tray into position during cassette loading. Over time these tracks crack, break and become distorted. This prevents smooth operation and eventually causes complete failure. The correction and upgrade is to rebuild the loader and replacing the trackways. This restores its proper operation. To see how this rebuild is performed click here. 11...None that repeat: No habitual issues are indicated for this model because its repair history was limited or that preventative measures were seldom necessary. 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 has not demonstrated 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 spiral shaped rod (worm gear) that in turn moves a set of gears which 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 encounter. 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