Reloading an Echoplex Tape Cartridge Method 1
Page 2
Now that you have the old and new tapes linked, it's time to load!
You'll need a piece of 4x4 that is 6 1/2 inches high. Drill a hole in the center and insert a dowel or other round object to place the tape reel on. I used some brass tubing I had in my shop. Also drop a washer over it to act as a bearing for the tape reel.
Very carefully lift the joined tapes into position. Make sure nothing is twisted or awry. Screw the cartridge into place and thread the tape through as normal through the tape guides and most importantly, between the capstan and the pinch roller. Leave the pressure pad out for now. Feed the end of the tape out and away from the Plex. I've marked in red the tape path. I usually position things at the edge of the workbench and let the tape fall to the floor. Once everything is in position, switch on the plex. If everything is correct the new tape will feed into the cartridge and the old tape will be ejected. When it first starts you may have to give it a little help feeding out.
As before look for the splice and when it appears shut the Plex down. Pull it through and give yourselve about a foot of slack on either side, then cut both ends free. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO LET THE TAPE END PULL INTO THE CARTRIDGE!!! Remove the cartridge and prepare to splice.
I've created a short video showing the tape loading, click here to see it.
Once again place the tape record side down into the splicing block.
The record side goes down, the backside goes up!!!
Then the other end on top, extending past the cutting well.
Carefully cut through both layers...
Remove the excess tape...
Apply the splicing tab, peel away the backing...
And here is our completed cartridge load!!
Install the newly loaded tape into the Plex, and pull any excess to the left. Don't worry, when you power it up after a minute or so the excess will be drawn into the cartridge and you will be good to go!!
Occasionally this doesn't occur, and I think the reasons are that there is too much tape in the outside splices, and/or the tape inside on the reels is too tight. So, try to keep the splices about 12 inches each before splicing, and don't tug on the reels when installing them in the cartridge.
