[QuadList] Restoring an Ampex AVR-1

[C. Park Seward]

John,

Did you ever find a donor machine? I'm interested in an AVR-1. Please  
let me know if you found any contacts.

Best,
Park

C. Park Seward
Cell: 818-535-2747
Home: 949-679-1870
Visit us: http://www.videopark.com



On Oct 22, 2008, at 7:02 AM, John Walko wrote:

> 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
> www.scenesavers.com
> 800-978-3445
> 513-708-1474 (cell)
> 859-292-1110 (direct)
>
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