Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
A this is perfect, thank you! I had found a manual for another model a while back and was going to ask if anyone on this list had the right one. Much appreciated. =] -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 www.erogear.com On Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 9:06 AM, Al Kossow via cctalkwrote: > > > On 4/16/17 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: > > Hi guys, > > > > I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex > > RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 > > Tucker had a copy of the RRS6500 series manual > A scan is now up at http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/remex/112670- > 077B_RRS6500_Reader-Spooler_1977.pdf > > > >
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
On 4/16/17 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: > Hi guys, > > I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex > RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 Tucker had a copy of the RRS6500 series manual A scan is now up at http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/remex/112670-077B_RRS6500_Reader-Spooler_1977.pdf
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
On 4/18/2017 3:17 AM, Christian Corti via cctech wrote: > On Mon, 17 Apr 2017, Rod Smallwood wrote: >> There are what appear to be 1976 date codes on some caps. >> >> If its that old then replace all and any electrolytic capacitors plus >> any paper based caps. >> >> If they aint bad now they soon will be. > > *shaking head* > > Sorry, this is just a plain dumb answer. If they are good now, they > probably will be good in 10 years, too. We never change any caps just > because of their age. > > I suggest: check for electrical safety, then plug it in and try it; > after all, it's "just" a tape reader with a simple PSU, not a 50s era > mainframe. > It will just work, I guess. If there should be a problem with those "big > caps", you'll see it. But it's much faster and easier to test them > beforehand (i.e. short or no short) than to foolishly replace everything. > > Christian > While I also do not typically replace capacitors outright, I don't think that the answer is "dumb". It just comes from a different perspective - typically from those who for one reason or another wish to maximize reliability and don't care to deal with failures down the road, and for whom preserving original components is not a priority. But I also I don't think that just plugging the unit in and turning it on (aka a "smoke test") right off the bat is necessarily prudent. A shorted input capacitor can easily take rectifiers with it (a capacitor that needed reforming did that to a rectifier bridge on my PDP-12 at one point), and a shorted output capacitor can take regulator components with it. Also, a shorted capacitor can generate enough steam to explode, if it doesn't have a pressure relief plug, and that can be messy, regardless. So what I typically do is locate the larger capacitors in the supply, and re-form them (I think so far I have only run into a couple that needed replacement due to an unacceptably high ESR). This spots shorted units along the way, and one only need disconnect on lead to the capacitor to accomplish the work. Also, it allows one to bring the capacitor up to its rated voltage, rather than just the in-circuit voltage. JRJ
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
On Mon, 17 Apr 2017, Rod Smallwood wrote: There are what appear to be 1976 date codes on some caps. If its that old then replace all and any electrolytic capacitors plus any paper based caps. If they aint bad now they soon will be. *shaking head* Sorry, this is just a plain dumb answer. If they are good now, they probably will be good in 10 years, too. We never change any caps just because of their age. I suggest: check for electrical safety, then plug it in and try it; after all, it's "just" a tape reader with a simple PSU, not a 50s era mainframe. It will just work, I guess. If there should be a problem with those "big caps", you'll see it. But it's much faster and easier to test them beforehand (i.e. short or no short) than to foolishly replace everything. Christian
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
simlar to one of these? http://imageshack.com/a/img922/6626/eQjeFK.jpg
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
I would first be more concerned with the ones I've circled https://goo.gl/photos/jweLs4meE2to3mom8 Guessing this guy was built > 30-40 years ago. If it was mine I would replace all the smaller ones. Get it over and done with. The ones that have screws, you can take the chance of putting a scope across them (watch out if they are floating !!) and look at the ripple, I any over say 2%, they are more than likely bad, but you can see if the reform or not. More then a couple % and you can damage things. Other things I do Check the voltages quickly Check the thermal grease on all the heat sinks. -pete PS keep your eyes open from replacement lamps. On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > Hi guys, > > I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex > RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 > > Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 > > Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 > > It has several enormous capacitors in it and I want to do my due diligence > before powering it up. Does anyone have advice in this regard? I'm > competent in soldering and rework of all sorts but definitely more in > digital than analog. > > Also the spindles squeak very slightly - are they oilable? > > In general it looks to be in pristine condition; no dust and no magic-smoke > smell. The only repair item I can find is a sticking tape roller and gentle > bending oughta solve that. > > I await your thoughts! > -- > Anders Nelson > > +1 (517) 775-6129 > > www.erogear.com > >
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
In equipment that has regulators, increasing the line voltage can have its own issues. I have a very fast acting adjustable solid state circuit breaker. If the running current is under say 100 W, a incandescent lamp in series is a poor mans current limiter. I has been a long time but a couple other things coming into focus is I'd pull the lamp before powering up and measuring the voltage across its terminals, and check if say a power supply went crazy would it damage the optical to electrical parts. 25 years ago I could have handed you a optical pickup for free, but all my Remex spares are now history. On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 2:45 PM, Anders Nelsonwrote: > Thanks for the tips, I think I'll replace the caps first as I don't own a > variac. I'd rather not damage anything in case the foil in those caps have > shorted upon application of full power. > > =] > > -- > Anders Nelson > > +1 (517) 775-6129 <(517)%20775-6129> > > www.erogear.com > > On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 12:02 PM, Pete Lancashire > wrote: > >> I would first be more concerned with the ones I've circled >> >> https://goo.gl/photos/jweLs4meE2to3mom8 >> >> Guessing this guy was built > 30-40 years ago. If it was mine I would >> replace all the smaller ones. >> >> Get it over and done with. >> >> The ones that have screws, you can take the chance of putting a scope >> across them (watch out if they are floating !!) and look at the ripple, I >> any over say 2%, they are more than likely bad, but you can see if the >> reform or not. More then a couple % and you can damage things. >> >> Other things I do >> >> Check the voltages quickly >> >> Check the thermal grease on all the heat sinks. >> >> -pete >> >> PS keep your eyes open from replacement lamps. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk < >> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >>> Hi guys, >>> >>> I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex >>> RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 >>> >>> Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 >>> >>> Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 >>> >>> It has several enormous capacitors in it and I want to do my due >>> diligence >>> before powering it up. Does anyone have advice in this regard? I'm >>> competent in soldering and rework of all sorts but definitely more in >>> digital than analog. >>> >>> Also the spindles squeak very slightly - are they oilable? >>> >>> In general it looks to be in pristine condition; no dust and no >>> magic-smoke >>> smell. The only repair item I can find is a sticking tape roller and >>> gentle >>> bending oughta solve that. >>> >>> I await your thoughts! >>> -- >>> Anders Nelson >>> >>> +1 (517) 775-6129 >>> >>> www.erogear.com >>> >>> >> >
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
On 4/16/2017 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: Hi guys, I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 I have a half a dozen of these. A friend used them to punch tapes for an automatic wire wrap machine (actually 3 of those) for his business. When we went to Remex in the early 80's in Irvine for service they had probably 100 in the pipeline for rebuild for the Air Force. They were used extensively for a very long time with AWACS and other systems the AF had, and that kept the service part of Remex running for a long time. I don't know if anyone took that over, but it may still be around here in Orange County. The colors of the unit you have identifies it as one that was potentially built for Microdata. The putty color matches the 1600 front panel. http://s7.computerhistory.org/is/image/CHM/102718928p-03-05?$re-medium$ The CHM website is fubar for me today, or I'd send a larger photo. The panel strip thru the middle is the same color. The usual Remex i've seen I think have either black and silver or blue and silver. Or other OEM colors. Nice find. Please update here, or to me directly as you work on it. My units were used up thru the 90's and have newer service dates, and my not have the capacitor problem, but not worth taking chances. thanks Jim
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
There are what appear to be 1976 date codes on some caps. If its that old then replace all and any electrolytic capacitors plus any paper based caps. If they aint bad now they soon will be. Rod Smallwood On 16/04/2017 22:45, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: Thanks for the tips, I think I'll replace the caps first as I don't own a variac. I'd rather not damage anything in case the foil in those caps have shorted upon application of full power. =] -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 www.erogear.com On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 12:02 PM, Pete Lancashirewrote: I would first be more concerned with the ones I've circled https://goo.gl/photos/jweLs4meE2to3mom8 Guessing this guy was built > 30-40 years ago. If it was mine I would replace all the smaller ones. Get it over and done with. The ones that have screws, you can take the chance of putting a scope across them (watch out if they are floating !!) and look at the ripple, I any over say 2%, they are more than likely bad, but you can see if the reform or not. More then a couple % and you can damage things. Other things I do Check the voltages quickly Check the thermal grease on all the heat sinks. -pete PS keep your eyes open from replacement lamps. On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: Hi guys, I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 It has several enormous capacitors in it and I want to do my due diligence before powering it up. Does anyone have advice in this regard? I'm competent in soldering and rework of all sorts but definitely more in digital than analog. Also the spindles squeak very slightly - are they oilable? In general it looks to be in pristine condition; no dust and no magic-smoke smell. The only repair item I can find is a sticking tape roller and gentle bending oughta solve that. I await your thoughts! -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 www.erogear.com -- There is no wrong or right Nor black and white. Just darknessand light
Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?
Thanks for the tips, I think I'll replace the caps first as I don't own a variac. I'd rather not damage anything in case the foil in those caps have shorted upon application of full power. =] -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 www.erogear.com On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 12:02 PM, Pete Lancashirewrote: > I would first be more concerned with the ones I've circled > > https://goo.gl/photos/jweLs4meE2to3mom8 > > Guessing this guy was built > 30-40 years ago. If it was mine I would > replace all the smaller ones. > > Get it over and done with. > > The ones that have screws, you can take the chance of putting a scope > across them (watch out if they are floating !!) and look at the ripple, I > any over say 2%, they are more than likely bad, but you can see if the > reform or not. More then a couple % and you can damage things. > > Other things I do > > Check the voltages quickly > > Check the thermal grease on all the heat sinks. > > -pete > > PS keep your eyes open from replacement lamps. > > > > > > > On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> Hi guys, >> >> I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex >> RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 >> >> Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 >> >> Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 >> >> It has several enormous capacitors in it and I want to do my due diligence >> before powering it up. Does anyone have advice in this regard? I'm >> competent in soldering and rework of all sorts but definitely more in >> digital than analog. >> >> Also the spindles squeak very slightly - are they oilable? >> >> In general it looks to be in pristine condition; no dust and no >> magic-smoke >> smell. The only repair item I can find is a sticking tape roller and >> gentle >> bending oughta solve that. >> >> I await your thoughts! >> -- >> Anders Nelson >> >> +1 (517) 775-6129 >> >> www.erogear.com >> >> >