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Messages - Indyguy

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX5050 BII repair questions
« on: July 06, 2009, 07:01:04 PM »
Hi miroslav - what a great story!  Sounds like in the end you ended up with a pretty sweet deal - congrats!  I hear you about those schematics though - very small!  I have mine on pdf so I can blow them up on the computer for these old eyes.  The rewind/ff issue is still intermittent on my 5050bII, so I suspect an edge connector.  I was trying to locate the likely culprit from the schematics, but I may just take ironbut's advice and pull each one a couple of times to see if that works it in.  Trying to do this low budget, so learning as I go.  Man these Otari's are built nice - very easy to access everything!  I'll keep the group posted if I find the right connector!  Jim

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX5050 BII repair questions
« on: June 26, 2009, 07:16:08 PM »
Thanks ironbut and Ki Choi for your feedback - much appreciated!  So I went around and reseated all of the connectors (there's about 30 of 'em) - none of which looked loose - and voila!  The rewind/ff buttons work!  Must have jostled in shipping.  This is the kind of repair I like (price was right too).  Now if I can just find that set screw for my hub adapter.....
Jim

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX5050 BII repair questions
« on: June 21, 2009, 09:23:01 PM »
Hi ironbut and thanks for the tips!  I reseated some of the connectors on the boards and now the VU meter seems fine.  I tested the rewind and ff switches with a VOM and they are fully functional.  This machine is nicely built, but has about 30-40 multi-connectors on it, so I suspect one may be slightly loose from shipping.  I have the service manual and schematics but it's still slow going.  Maybe someone with one of these beasts will chime in.  Most of the pots and switches are clean but a couple are a little scratchy - someone on another forum suggested WD-40 works just as well as contact cleaner - any thoughts?  Haven't had a chance to look at the heads closely but it did play a tape that I had on for a moment and at least it played!  Nice, simple transport and easy to work on - not like the Sony TC-580 that's sitting in the corner (that's another story...)!
     Sorry for my exuberance - - I see those reels spinning and I just can't control myself!!  Beats staring at a computer screen.  Kind regards - Jim

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX5050 BII repair questions
« on: June 20, 2009, 11:45:47 PM »
Okay - no responses.  Well the light issue I can attribute to all 4 LU2049s being burned out - maybe from the shipping?  And the VU meters not resetting - again maybe a shipping issue and just need to adjust the meters.  But the rewind/ff has me stumped.  Hard to imagine both switches being out, but I guess its possible.  I'll check them tomorrow with a voltmeter for conductivity.  Other than that a bad solenoid? 

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Otari MX5050 BII repair questions
« on: June 20, 2009, 10:09:54 AM »
Greetings All
My first post to the forum!  After years in the DAW world I've decided to plunge back into RTR.  I picked up a Otari MX-5050 BII in fair condition from eBay (I know) that was sold "guaranteed to work and recently checked out" that arrived with several issues.  First, on power on both VU meters max out and do not light up.  After being on a couple of minutes the meters slowly fall back to ~-10 (but never all the way to the left).  The machine plays back fine.  Also, the rewind and ff doesn't function.  I just acquired the maintenance manual (minus schematics) so trying to look thru and see if I can pinpoint the issues.  Contacted the seller to see if these were working before shipping but you know...  Are the VU meters internally lit, i.e would have to be replaced, or is there a panel illumination outside of the meters?  Don't know about the high on readings - something misaligned during shipping?  As far as the rewind/ff, guess it could be must the microswitches worn out or bad tape lift solenoid?  Any help appreciated.  This is my first non-consumer deck and it really is well-built.  But apparently a fixer-upper (lots of razor scratches on the splicer so probably very well-used).  Thanks everyone  - Jim

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