Good fix for itaste VTR battery door anyone?

[ErnieKim]

I'm having to put a brass washer on the negative end of the battery compartment before I close the door. Otherwise the VTR goes off an on; real pain. Has anyone found a permanent fix for this issue?
Thanks in advance.
kim

 

[EJAB]

I've been using my VTR for well over a year and I haven't run in to this problem. It seems like your spring loaded pin for your battery door is malfunctioning. I don't know how to fix the spring, so I think that the easiest fix would be to use a magnet as a "spacer" and attach it to your battery's negative contact.

 

[bwh79]

What kind of battery are you using? If it's a flat-top, maybe try using a button-top battery instead, or try one from a different manufacturer that might be slightly longer.

 

[ErnieKim]

I've been using my VTR for well over a year and I haven't run in to this problem. It seems like your spring loaded pin for your battery door is malfunctioning. I don't know how to fix the spring, so I think that the easiest fix would be to use a magnet as a "spacer" and attach it to your battery's negative contact.

The manufacturer said its a common problem but I'm 2 weeks out of warranty,,, as usual...
Does a magnet provide good enough electrical conductivity? great from the perspective of not falling off all the time. Have you ever tried it on another battery?

 

[ErnieKim]

What kind of battery are you using? If it's a flat-top, maybe try using a button-top battery instead, or try one from a different manufacturer that might be slightly longer.

I've tried them all.

 

[EJAB]

The manufacturer said its a common problem but I'm 2 weeks out of warranty,,, as usual...
Does a magnet provide good enough electrical conductivity? great from the perspective of not falling off all the time. Have you ever tried it on another battery?

No I haven't. I've heard that other VTR owners have used a magnet as a quick fix, but I don't know the electrical conductivity of magnets.

 

[ErnieKim]

There is no spring on the bottom (door) on mine, just on the top. Since it used to work OK, I'm guessing that I just need to put a stronger spring in the top. I was hoping there was another type of fix but I may have to dig into it; hope I don't introduce more problems doing so.

 

[EJAB]

There is no spring on the bottom (door) on mine, just on the top. Since it used to work OK, I'm guessing that I just need to put a stronger spring in the top. I was hoping there was another type of fix but I may have to dig into it; hope I don't introduce more problems doing so.

I never said "on the bottom (door)". I said, "spring loaded pin for your battery door".

 

[Micky Finn]

Don't have this problem with my VTR. On another mod with a soft spring I bought a Fuse which is magnetic and it attaches to the top of the battery.

Hope this helps.

 

[ErnieKim]

Don't have this problem with my VTR. On another mod with a soft spring I bought a Fuse which is magnetic and it attaches to the top of the battery.

Hope this helps.

Was there a noticeable loss of power because of the Fuse being there?

 

[daesania]

I had this issue with my vtr most recently as well. I've had mine for quite some time now, probably close to a year and a half... for some reason mine does it with certain batteries but not all. I took a hammer to the bottom of mine and just kept tapping at the door til it it would keep a charge, it took about 3-4 light taps taking the battery in and out between the hits and it seemed to fix the issue.

 

[wrice4]

Back when I had my VTR, it did the same thing. I used a small washer, as well, for about 2 weeks, because it seemed like it wasn't making a good connection. One day I stuck a paper towel down the battery bay and cleaned it really good, on the connection, then popped the battery back in. Never had to use the washer again, idk why.

 

[ErnieKim]

Sounds like y'all may have loosened up a stuck spring on the topside of the battery. You wouldn't think it would get dirty up there; dirt doesn't fall up, but something is causing it to stick or the spring has weakened.