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How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path

What you need

  1. How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path, How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path, How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • First take the top of the unit off by taking the 4 side screws and 6 back screws off with a philips #2 then locate the transport

    • The transport in in the rectangle and the drum with the audio heads is circled in the back.

    • It is shiny silver and has 2 heads on opposite sides from each other

    • each heads is unbelievably delicate, so never touch them with your fingers or attempt to adjust the set screws.

  2. How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Now Eject the transport all the way out

    • Now unplug the unit from the wall

    • Then push the drawer bad in till about the point shown

    • This will give you little more wiggle room to reach the head with your fingers and card stock mixed with alcohol

  3. How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Now take some nice card stock or a business card.

    • Tear off a park of it and dip it in some alcohol or head cleaner.

  4. How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to clean Panasonic SV-3800 heads and tape path: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Insert alcohol soaked card stock thru the back area of the heads as shown.

    • Reach around the back and press ever so slightly with your finger(in the direction show by the arrow). Push just enough pressure on the assembly that it will remove the dirty from the heads. This pressure is very little, only enough to press the card stock against the heads.

    • Press too hard and you will damage the heads or shread card stock and make the heads even dirtier

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

One other person completed this guide.

Brian Fox

Member since: 10/16/13

1,670 Reputation

3 Guides authored

5 Comments

Nice post you created…..

msarea559 - Reply

Nice post you created thanks!

msarea559 - Reply

Are we supposed to rotate the head in order to clean all the heads? I assume like other digital tape machines, there are multiple heads around the drum.

ggurley - Reply

Shouldn’t the head be turning? And why don’t use a cotton swab??

greetz patrick

patski31 - Reply

Yes turn the heads. Cotton will get caught on the heads so don't use it. Thanks!

Brian Fox - Reply

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