TENTELOMETER* TAPE TENSION GAUGE MODEL: T2-H5-SLCB
This TENTELOMETER® was designed primarily for the Panasonic MII series of VCR's to allow
safe insertion of the gauge at the inlet ( forward mode) to the video drum. This
gauge is equipped with a special "button" on top of the meter. By depressing this
button, the center probe is moved away from the outer fixed probes. This allows the probes
to easily slide over the tape without "pushing" the fragile tape. into
the tape guides. Once inserted over the tape merely release the button to allow the gauge to read tape
tension normally. Depress the button again prior to removal of the gauge from the tape. In
some new VCR's, the density of the tape guide system makes it extremely
difficult to fit older style probes into these new tape paths without a high probability of
causing video head damage.
Several VCR manufacturers have introduced tape "tension" cassettes; however,
these "tension" cassettes can only measure the torque at the holdback
reel: the farthest position away from the critical tension at the inlet to the
video drum.
These "tension" cassettes also suffer from an inability to field verify
calibration, and may be destroyed in a VCR with a tension or guidance problem.
Due to differences in tape paths of various VCR's even of the same format,
tension cassettes would provide significantly different indications in various
VCR models, whereas the tape
tension at the inlet to the video drum, as measured with a TENTELOMETER®, would
the same from VCR to VCR as required to maintain tape interchange. Consult the
particular MII service manual for correct measurements and specifications for tape tension
readings.
The new H5 scale provides special high resolution readings with single gram increments
from 7 to 40 grams. The SLC has a special relief on the rear of the center
probe. This relief is approximately .040" deep, with smooth edges and corners and is positioned
to be tangent to the video drum at the inlet position. The relief makes it virtually
impossible to hit a video head tip. The gauge should be held vertically, in line
with the tape, and inserted down over the tape so that the tape is positioned on the
straight surface of the probe as shown in the general T2 instruction manual. The minimum
reading obtained when moving the gauge slightly, (without contacting the video
drum) is the correct reading. To cause damage to a video head tip, the gauge would
have to be either leaned out away from the drum at an angle exceeding 6 degrees or
the probes would have to be inserted farther over the tape; .20" (5MM) past
where
the tape is on the straight portion of the probes.
TENTEL and TENTELOMETER® are registered trademarks of Tentel Corp
Placerville, CA.