I encountered some static build-up issues with my tape drive setup, re Teres 145. Lots of acrylic in that setup. Also my tt stands on a Neuance platform, which may or may not be a contributor.
Searching for ways to reduce or eliminate my static build-up problems, I found that different belt materials made a difference. Fwiw, vhs tape was the least problematic. Holographic mylar seemed to build up --some-- static. Probably the worst was clear vhs leader. Static city.
I tried different grounding methods. Firstly, grounding the bearing to the power supply helped. Disconnecting the charger (running straight from the battery) helped reduce static. This is preferred anyway. Sound is perceptibly better straight from the battery than with the charger connected during playback. Could wire in a switch for that, but unplugging the power plug at the smart charger circuit board is effective.
Also, creating a ground link from the motor controller inside the pod to the building ground seemed to reduce the static problem. That is a ground strap to the third leg on the 115 volt socket at the wall.
Using anti static laundry spray on the carpet around the player helped. Keeping anti-static laundry softener sheets, the kind you toss into the dryer with the laundry, around the player helped.
Making sure of the truest possible alignment between motor pulley and platter, to improve belt tracking, helped. But none of those actually solved the problem.
Switching back to silk drive did eliminate the problem entirely for me. That is how I drive it now. Fwiw, silk has a nice sound compared to tape. Your preferences may be different than mine.
Getting back to the mylar belt static issues:
At its worst I saw instances where static build-up was great enough to cause motor controller errors, such as switching off... or on.... at the wrong times.
Probably my situation is aggravated by the cheap nylon carpet in my room. Barefoot is better than wearing socks. Winter. Low humidity. Part of the problem.
-Steve
