CLEANING AND DEMAGNETIZING THE TAPE HEAD
The tape deck head area of the
PET
cassette can
be
seen by opening the
cassette
window
with
power
OFF
and depressing the PLAY
key.
This juts the tape
head
mount
out past the
bottom
edge of the cassette
window
area. where it
is
marginally reachable for maintenance. The tape head
is
shown in Figure 2-9.
Erase Head
Head Gap
Area Capstan
Pinch Roller
•
Figure 2-9.
PET
Cassette Tape Head
The tape head
is
the portion of the cassette unit that the magnetic tape
contacts
when
vou record or play back. The oxide coating
on
the magnetic
tape gradually deposits a film
on
the tape head and surrounding area: this
deposit must be removed periodically by cleaning the tape head to assure
reliable operation of the cassette unit.
To
c1ean
the tape head. use a
cotton
swab soaked
with
denatured ethanol. Clean both heads and also the capstan and
pinch raller
(see
Figure 2-9).
Allow
the area to dry completely before closing the
cover.
The tape head also needs to be demagnetized periodically. The tape
heads gradually become magnetized through
use.
This affects recording
fidelity
and eventually causes recording errors. To demagnetize the tape heads. vou
will
need a tape head demagnetizer
(see
Figure 2-10); this
is
an
inexpensive
unit
that
can
be
purchased at most audio equipment stores.
To demagnetize the tape heads. have the cassette
window
open and the
PLAY key depressed. To use the demagnetizer. have it at least
two
feet away from
the
PET
before plugging in the demagnetizer (the
PET
shou
Id
be
OFF).
SLOWLY
bring the demagnetizer towards the
PET
until
it contacts the head surface;
carefully move
it
around on one head surface. then the other head surface. then
ail metal surfaces
that
are directly adjacent to the heads. SLOWLY move the
demagnetizer back at least
two
feet before
unplugging
it.
CAUTION: Keep your pre-recorded cassette tapes away from the demag-
netizer. The demagnetizer
is
an
effective tape eraser. Keep it at least five feet
away fram any pre-recorded cassettes.
The more vou use your PET. the more often
it
will
need to have the tape
heads cleaned and demagnetized.
Do it at least once a
month
- more often if
vou are experiencing load problems or tape degradation.
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