Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: spacecho on June 23, 2016, 07:30:59 PM

Title: Studer A810 disassembly - how to remove card cage
Post by: spacecho on June 23, 2016, 07:30:59 PM
Hello all,

I recently looked into getting a new pinch roller for my studer A810 (the previous one turned to goo a few years ago),
Upon powering up last month everything was fine, but today I turned it on and none of the lights were lit. It took me a monent to notice some faint hiss through the speaker, which indicated that it was powering up in part, before I could smell a faint burning smell (the smell was like electrolytic compound).
I immediately switched off the unit.

The unit has the dreaded farko caps in the card cage (I believe the EPROMs date to 1983)
I will recap the whole unit, I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice as to disassemble the unit logically.

I can't seem to get the card cage out - I could probably recap it with the cards out, and the back panels off, but I would prefer to free it, in case there are some caps on the top part of the board.
I have good desoldering equipment, and have repaired dozens of bits of audio gear.
I also have access to a lab / test equipment and a good EE friend if I get stuck.

I guess I'd like to hear from anyone that has done a complete recap / disassembly before, as they might be able to help me avoid some pitfalls along the way.

I plan to recap the card cage, test the psu voltages and recap that section as well, and then later on I will recap the motor caps, head electronics caps, card caps etc.

I was hoping to backup my data before replacing the battery (tiny bit of leakage) but the machine can't be powered now so I guess I'll just have to re calibrate once its restored.

Thanks for your time! Looking forward to hearing of your ideas
Title: Re: Studer A810 disassembly - how to remove card cage
Post by: Ki Choi on July 06, 2016, 08:45:18 AM
If you haven't figured it out yet, it's rather simple.

You would remove all the cards from the front.

Then remove the bottom cover from the back.

You will see 6 or 8 screws holding the Basis Board.

Remove the screws and the Basis Board will be freed and can be pull out with wire assembly attached to be worked on.

Let me know how it goes.

Ki