SF354 SSDD Drive Belt

[+Ripdubski]

Ive got a drive that I hear the motor spin, but not the disk. Upon disassembly I see a large wheel on the bottom with wht looks like part of an old belt stuck on it, about 3/4 of the circumfirence. I dont see anywhere else a belt could attach to. It is a chinon mech with a rhombus shaped eject.

 

A) did this drive have a belt?

B) where could i possibly source one?

 

Thanks on advance

[Zogging Hell]

Yes the SF354 had a drive belt, I've replaced a few. There is a guy on ebay uk who sells the belt (these work well), you might be able to fashion a temporary solution out of a suitable elastic band, which I did once, but I found they slipped off far too easily. The seller on ebay charges about three quid.

 

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FATARI-ST-REPLACEMENT-FLOPPY-DISK-DRIVE-BELT-BRAND-NEW-%2F320721362657%3Fpt%3DUK_VG_Replacement_Parts_Tools%26hash%3Ditem4aac7b9ee1

[krupkaj]

Thanks for the link. I also need the belt for my friend's drive

[+Ripdubski]

Awesome, thanks for the link!

 

Any chance you have a phot of how it should be connected? As i said i see evidence of a former belt, but dont see another point to attach it other then the large wheel toward the back.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Ripdubski

[Zogging Hell]

From memory (its been a few years since I did this) there is a small metal cylinder, which doesn't look massively like anything should fit round it. The other end fits round the big disk (platter), and you will need to make sure it is lined up carefully round that. The best bet is when you get the belt to see how far it will stretch without actually stretching it, and finding it that way (put the belt round the platter first). I still have a couple of SF354s that need this fix (nothing like spending money on hardware that is obselete even on the ST!). I'll try and get a drive out if I can in the next few days and get a picture up.

[+Ripdubski]

Ive had no luck locating the service manual (ver 1), only the ver 2 one which looks to be direct drive and have the typical small eject button.

[Zogging Hell]

If you look at this thread on Atari forum (which is about me replacing an led on the drive) there is a picture of the circuit board with part of the circuit board revealed, showing the belt on the platter. The other end is sadly off shot, but it does show roughly how it fits, and the area (roughly) you should be looking to attach the other end.

 

http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22308&p=198002&hilit=sf354#p198002

[+Ripdubski]

Thx. Ill have to register there to view it.

[Zogging Hell]

Worth doing anyway if you are into your Atari ST stuff. The place is a goldmine of information.

[+Ripdubski]

Upon closer inspection i found the small brass roller the belt connects to on rear corner with pieces of belt on it as well. Belt ordered. Thanks for the info.

[Zogging Hell]

Glad you got it sorted.

[+Ripdubski]

Received the belt from above, installed and drive is working like it should. Thank you for the info.