Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?

[Anders Nelson via cctalk]

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 cctalk  wrote:

>
>
> 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?

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

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?

[Jay Jaeger via cctalk]

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?

[Christian Corti via cctalk]

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?

[Adrian Stoness via cctalk]

simlar to one of these?
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/6626/eQjeFK.jpg

Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?

[Pete Lancashire via cctalk]

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?

[Pete Lancashire via cctalk]

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 Nelson 
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 <(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?

[jim stephens via cctalk]

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?

[Rod Smallwood via cctalk]

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 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




--
There is no wrong or right
Nor black and white.
Just darknessand light

Re: Remex Tape Reader - Pre-power up advice?

[Anders Nelson via cctalk]

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 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
>>
>>
>