[QuadList] Restoring an Ampex AVR-1

[John Walko]

Hello group;

 

We are working with a local non-profit organization in our home town.  An
Ampex AVR-1 was donated to them when it was taken out of service from a
local television station several years ago.  The machine sat for several
years while this non-profit (an organization called Media Heritage) prepared
their facility.  Their facility is now far enough along that they would like
to get this machine operational.

 

Some background.  The machine was working when it was taken out of service.
It has been sitting without power for probably the last 5-6 years.  It
appears as if the machine was originally wired for a 208-three phase volt
power supply, and that is the way it is currently wired.  We've been working
with the engineer (now retired) who originally kept this machine in working
condition.  He knows a tremendous amount about this machine, and has helped
us get to the point where the machine will power up.  However we have run
into a road block, and I hope someone can help.

 

When we powered the machine up, we did not power up the air compressor.we
just wanted to see if the machine itself would run.  When we let the machine
powered up for more than a few moments, the circuit breakers in the lower
drawer start to trip.  We have tested the power supplies in the lower drawer
and have found a few of them don't appear to be working (this is regardless
of whether the circuit breaker is open or closed).  There also appears to be
a problem with some of the boards in the side cabinets (which, we believe is
causing the circuit breakers to trip).  We have not tried the air compressor
yet, but are not overly concerned about it, because we could use an external
compressor if necessary.

 

The machine is very clean.  We have removed and reseated all the boards and
power supplies (with the machine powered off, of course).  We have visually
inspected everything to see if there was anything obvious (such as exposed
wires) and see nothing out of the ordinary.  I did not record which circuit
breakers trip, or which power supplies appear to not be working.  I could
get this information if it would help anyone diagnose the problem.  What we
don't want to do is get into a situation where we are replacing the hundreds
of caps in the machine to try to figure out the problem.

 

We are looking for another machine.  The intent is to utilize good
components from this, or the other machine to make one operational.  It does
not matter to us if the other machine is operational, as long as it is
largely complete (although an operational machine would be ideal).  Since
this organization is a non-profit, they are operating on a shoe-string
budget, so we are seeking donations (however, we can cover minor expenses,
such as pick-up/shipping, etc.).

 

An ideal situation would be an organization who has a machine that is no
longer being used or one that is a spare.  As we are located in the
Mid-West, machines located in the eastern half of the US would be ideal.

 

Can anyone offer any advice or do you know where any machines might be
located?  I can be reached at 800-978-3445.  Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.

 

 

John Walko

Media Archive Manager

Scene Savers

 <http://www.scenesavers.com/> www.scenesavers.com

800-978-3445

513-708-1474 (cell)

859-292-1110 (direct)

 

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