[QuadList] Restoring an RCA TR-600

Thu May 28 09:56:13 CDT 2009

Hi, John,

Hope you're able to get things sorted out and running without a whole  
lot of work.

If you have the ability to park a small video camera on a tripod and  
describe what you're doing from time to time, that would be another  
cool way  to document the rebuild.

Park's "narrated stills with motion" that he posted a link to youtube  
is another great way to show what's going on.

In any case, Stills and text, V/O and pictures, motion video...  
anything would be helpful to others that need to bring something back  
to life.

Do you know/can you share the back story of the machines?  Serial  
#'s... original location, etc? (When you have time :)

Thanks for sharing the story so far.

Ted

On May 28, 2009, at 7:45 AM, John Walko wrote:

> Steve, Park, others:
>
> As always, thanks for the advice.
>
> Yes, the sync generator we are using can provide both burst and  
> subcarrier.
> We checked this a couple of times to make sure we had both cables  
> connected
> to the proper input.  Originally we were using the original video  
> cables on
> the machine, but then switched them out for our own.
>
> I won't have time to work on the machine until probably this  
> weekend.  We
> are going to take an inventory of what is needed (fittings and such)  
> and
> start solving the vacuum and air problems on both machines.  I'll  
> keep you
> posted how it goes.
>
> Ted had a great idea...to capture the rebuild in pictures.  I am  
> going to
> start that with this next go-round of work.
>
> John Walko
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com
> [mailto:quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com] On Behalf Of C.  
> Park Seward
> Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:29 PM
> To: Quad List
> Subject: Re: [QuadList] Restoring an RCA TR-600
>
> Exactly, Steve. The Ampex needs SC, Sync and H. I also send bars to
> the video in.
>
> Best,
> Park
>
> C. Park Seward
> Visit us: http://www.videopark.com
>
>
>
> On May 27, 2009, at 2:34 PM, Steve Greene wrote:
>
>> John,
>> This jogs my memory.  You will need a sync generator that can supply
>> burst and subcarrier before the machine will fully lock.  Color bars
>> will serve in place of black burst in a pinch.
>>
>> Steve Greene
>> Audiovisual Archivist
>> Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
>> (301) 837-1772
>>>>> park at videopark.com 05/26/09 1:23 PM >>>
>> Congratulations on your acquisition, John. While I know absolutely
>> nothing about the RCA quads, I can share some experiences with
>> restoring Ampex quads.
>>
>> As said before, check the power supplies. I have replaced most of my
>> large caps. After repair, run the power supplies on a test bench  
>> under
>> load for a few hours to see if it really is good.
>>
>> I remove every circuit board (called "etched boards" in Ampex lingo)
>> and inspect for obvious damage and clean off any dirt and grime. I
>> have seen caps that have exploded and resistors that have burned  
>> up. I
>> measure every capacitor with an ESR meter and replace ones that are
>> suspect. I have also been known the shotgun the board and replace all
>> the electrolytics. The smaller mylar and tantalums seem to hold up.
>>
>> I then clean the contacts, first with a special gold eraser (similar
>> to an ink eraser) and then wipe clean with an alcohol swab. Then,  
>> coat
>> with DeoxIT Red, wipe off and then coat with DeoxIT Gold and wipe  
>> off.
>> I use the 100% solution. Let it remain on the surface for some time
>> and wipe off. Could leave it on overnight on really bad corrosion.
>>
>> DeoxITR - Contact Cleaner & Rejuvenator - Brings Old Systems Back to
>> Life!
>> DeoxITR GOLD (formerly ProGold) - Contact Conditioner & Protector -
>> Maintains New System Performance!
>>
>> The biggest problems in equipment I have seen are power supply
>> problems and connector problems.
>>
>> Following the schematics, I look at the circuit  and start at the
>> beginning and follow it until I see a problem. Ampex has some
>> excellent manuals that show exactly what the waveforms should look
>> like at every step in the circuit.
>>
>> The 1200 I am working on now has had problems at every step. Nothing
>> was working. Now, I have good air and full video and am starting to
>> work on the mechanics. My machines were very dirty so a good cleaning
>> of all parts is recommended.
>>
>> Another good tip is to find someone with knowledge of the VTR that  
>> you
>> can bounce ideas off. Don Norwood has been very helpful to me. He has
>> a wealth of knowledge on the 1200s.
>
>>
>>
> You said you were feeding sync from a generator. The Ampex machines
> require separate sync, burst and other drives. Make sure your VTR is
> getting all the drives it needs.
>
>
>>
>> I've got 7700 hours on my oldest machine. It's almost broken in!
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Best,
>> Park
>>
>> C. Park Seward
>> Visit us: http://www.videopark.com
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 26, 2009, at 6:57 AM, John Walko wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Group:
>>>
>>> Well.a bit of exciting news.at least for me.  We've acquired three
>>> TR-600 Quad machines.  Unfortunately, one had to be reduced to parts
>>> to move it, but at least we have the parts, including motors,
>>> control boards, spare heads, etc.
>>>
>>> I need some help and advice from the group.
>>>
>>> We've identified the one machine that we feel has the best chance of
>>> being operational again.  This past weekend, we ran power and air
>>> and powered up the machine.  We check the test points in the power
>>> supply and everything appears to meet proper voltage parameters and
>>> the voltage appears stable.  There are no air or vacuum leaks that
>>> we can tell.so this appears good.  However, we are not getting
>>> stable video or any audio (see below).  I would appreciate some
>>> advice.
>>>
>>> 1.       We are running the air at about 55 PSI (adjusted at the
>>> machine.120 from the air compressor).  Vacuum is at 20 inches.
>>> According to the manual, this should be a little higher, but 20 is
>>> the highest we can get it to peak.  Adjusting the air pressure
>>> didn't affect the vacuum.  Vacuum being at 20 does not appear to be
>>> causing any problems, but I am wondering if there is something we
>>> are not seeing.
>>> 2.       When we put the machine into thread mode, the capstan
>>> releases and the tension arms move up and out of the way.  The arm
>>> on the head drops to allow threading.  When we hit stop to take it
>>> out of thread mode, the arm on the head does not automatically move
>>> back to position the tape against the head.should this be automatic
>>> or do you have to manually close this arm?
>>> 3.       When the machine is threaded and the tape properly seated,
>>> the vacuum goes off the dial.  I assume this is normal (sort of like
>>> putting your hand over the suction end of a vacuum cleaner).  Is
>>> this correct?
>>> 4.       We get a video signal, but it is all broken apart.  We were
>>> getting a "lock" error, but are able to correct this by adjusting
>>> the capstan speed.  But the video is the wrong color (appears as if
>>> Chroma is all off).  Any thoughts as to what to look for (perhaps a
>>> board in the system).
>>> 5.       We get no audio unless we step on the foot switch.  If we
>>> manually turn the reels while depressing the foot switch, we get
>>> audio (both in forward and reverse), however as soon as the foot
>>> switch is released, audio immediately goes away.  We thought this
>>> might be related to the capstan, but the audio goes away even before
>>> the capstan is fully engaged.  Perhaps a relay is sticking or is
>>> bad.  Any ideas?
>>>
>>> A couple of other items.
>>> 1.       We were feeding synch from a synch generator
>>> 2.       We re-seated all the boards (with the machine powered off)
>>> 3.       We tried two different heads.both heads appear to have
>>> slight burnishing, but are not in bad shape.  Neither made a
>>> difference.
>>> 4.       One of our Engineers used to operate one of these machines
>>> years ago for a TV station he worked for.so he is somewhat familiar
>>> with it.but it was a long time ago.
>>> 5.       We have a second machine that is complete.but the air
>>> fittings are cracked (they appear to be nylon with push in
>>> connectors).  We also get no vacuum on that machine, so it would
>>> need some work before being operational.  Not sure why no vacuum.it
>>> could be related to the air leak or the vacuum pump.
>>> 6.       We have at least one spare of everything.and are willing to
>>> try some things to get this system operational.
>>> 7.       Both machines were taken out of service at about the same
>>> time.and haven't been operated in years.  One machine (the one we
>>> are working on) has 3200 hours on the machine.the other has about
>>> 5000 hours (the one that has the air leak).
>>>
>>> Any TR-600 experts interested in coming here to help?  We could
>>> discuss reimbursement for your time and travel.
>>>
>>> Please call me at 800-978-3445 or email me any thoughts that might
>>> be helpful (I.e. things to check/test/look for, etc.).
>>>
>>> Thanks;
>>>
>>> John Walko
>>> Media Archive Manager
>>> Scene Savers
>>> www.scenesavers.com
>>> 800-978-3445
>>> 513-708-1474 (cell)
>>> 859-291-5100 (office)
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Please trim posts to relevant info when replying!
>> Send QuadList list posts to QuadList at quadvideotapegroup.com
>> Your subscribe, unsubscribe and digest options are here:
>>
> http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegr
> oup.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Please trim posts to relevant info when replying!
> Send QuadList list posts to QuadList at quadvideotapegroup.com
> Your subscribe, unsubscribe and digest options are here:
> http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegr
> oup.com
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus  
> signature
> database 4112 (20090528) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Please trim posts to relevant info when replying!
> Send QuadList list posts to QuadList at quadvideotapegroup.com
> Your subscribe, unsubscribe and digest options are here:
> http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegroup.com

Ted Langdell
Secretary
Skype: 	TedLangdell
e-mail:	ted at quadvideotapegroup.com