Hello,

I am in need of a main belt for my TRK-8180 to get it playing again. Does anyone know the proper size for this?

Assuming I can find one close enough in size, I intend to order from this URL, which may also help some of you out:Vintage Electronics tape belts by size

I got the old belt out and it is still in one piece, but stretched to oblivion and considerably twisted up. It is a flat belt and the current stretched measurements are 12" x .125" x .031"

I got the old belt out with a pair of tweezers so I didn't have to remove the big circuit board and do a full disassembly. Frankly, I am a bit skittish about disassembling everything until I have replacement belt in hand as I can still pay MP3s via the tape deck using my Digisette player. So I don't think there is any sense in risking doing more damage by digging deeper to measure the tape path if I can't find a proper replacement. Before I go that route, I'm hoping that someone here may know the proper size or have a service manual for this box that lists the sizes. And while I'm at it, I might as well change out the tape counter belt, too... so if anyone knows that size, please let me know and I can order both at the same time and save on shipping.

As always, before posting my own plea for help... I searched the forum here first and found a thread where Cali9Dub had an 8270 with the same problem. From what I can tell looking at the pic that Skippy1969 posted of an 8270 tape mechanism ( 8270 thread) it looks quite similar to the tape deck in the 8180, but I can only see the bottom portion. Can anyone confirm if the 8180 & 8270 share the same tape deck? If so, I think I can get the info i need from Cali9Dub (assuming he got one) to fix his box.

Any help greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks and take care,

jt

Update: I took a closer look and did find some minor differences between the tape drives in the 8180 & that pic of the 8270 tape drive...

what are the measurements in mm and is its size diameter or circumference

My belt is obviously very stretched out... the one in hand now is 3mm wide, .5mm thick, and roughly 31cm in circumfrence. The belt was completely twisted up when I pulled it off the deck and torn.

Thanks to a technician I know who happened to have an old electronics parts reference book, I have found out that the main belt for the TRK-8180 appears to be the FRX 9.5.

He also indicated that there are three belts total in the 8180. The main belt, a counter-belt and a third. He had the FRX 9.5 and the counter belt on hand and ordered the third one. When the last one comes in I will dig in!

Oh, and the main belt for the TRK-8270 is the FRX 9.7.