Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!crdgw1!seneca!mak
From: mak@seneca.crd.ge.com (Michael A. Kinstrey)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Adding speed control to cassette deck
Summary: Need advice, warnings
Keywords: cassette tape deck speed pitch control
Message-ID: <2245@crdgw1.crd.ge.com>
Date: 11 Sep 89 20:26:34 GMT
Sender: news@crdgw1.crd.ge.com
Reply-To: mak@seneca.UUCP (Michael A. Kinstrey)
Followup-To: sci.electronics
Distribution: na
Organization: General Electric CRD, Schenectady, NY
Lines: 38

I want a half-speed cassette deck for practicing guitar
with, and the available decks with this option are way
overpriced. 

I want to install this option on an existing deck. Are
there any warnings to heed before attempting this? I would
be adding a pot of some kind to the motor control, but some (most?)
decks have a speed monitor circuit which regulates 
speed fluctutations. 

I will be doing the mods to a CHEAP deck, walkman, or player.

I have an OK understanding of circuitry and electronics, and
have done several small projects and modifications to boards.

My questions:
  1) Do the cheap walkman-type players and office-use tape players
     (< $40) have the speed control monitor?

  2) If not, is the job as easy as installing a pot to the motor?
     If the speed monitor has to be bypassed, where is the best place?

  3) What kind of effect will the varying voltage and speed have on
     the life of the motor? Dramatic or only slightly?

  4) Do these type of motors only operate under a tight range of voltage?

I will be using the 1/2 speed option quite a bit.
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