Re: SONY SDT-5000 ; SDT-7000 ; SDT-9000 ; SDX-300C ; SDX-45V
Hi !!
There is no sufficent help on the SDT-7000 drives in the OEM Manuals. By experience over last 5 years, some helpfull tips I want to give for the problems like: 1.Showing all media as write protect even it is not actualy, 2.Ejecting DAT cassette immediately when inserted, 3.Not accepting casseettes, 4.Huge noise from gear assembly, 5.Cassette oscilating in and out and not ejecting, 6.front window is not opening 7. cutting tapes etc.
There are diffrent sensors in the drive i classified for simplicity as 1) Optical sensors,2) Mechanical sensors, 3) Magnetic sensors.
Due to dust some sensors malfunctions due to this lot of problem arrises. Near front window side there are 3 micro switches at left side and 3 at right side to detect media type DDS-1, DDS-2, write protect, cleaning cassette etc. There are BOT and EOT optical sensors, and mangnetic solenoid type disk break to stop T-real and S-real movement quickly. Maintenance of these sensors will solve number of problems. Loading and threading motor is a DC motor some times it is not a self starting due to corrosion of brush. Just rotate the motor by screwdriver will solve the problem. Ensure front opening window is attached to the leaver. Head signal strength can be found on scope from rf board. Position encoder is required to be aligned with other gears. Head alignment is to be done with scope. Most cases the gear near the loading threading motor slips, causing no tape movement and huge noise, provision is there to tighten it. You may replace broken gears from u/s drive.
Regards
Vijay