LiveWire Remote Recorders AMPEX MM1200 SERVICE LOG ADVICE AND PARTS: Michael Spitz ATR Service Co. BASE (for switching card relays) 2101 Pennsylvania Ave. 54 Ney St. Suite 23 San Francisco, CA. York, Pennsylvania 94112 Phone: 717-852-7700 Phone: 415-469-0136 Fax: 717-852-7755 email: info@atrservice.com Tony Arnold Vern Sauer Courthouse Facilities TSI (Technical Services Inc.) 27 Salisbury Street 107 South Prindle Cranborne, Dorset Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA BH21 5PU 60006-0765 United Kingdom Phone 847-392-2958 Phone: 011 44 1725 517359 Fax: 011 44 1725 517810 AMS AlltronICs Suite 408 1150 Dorval Drive, Oakville, Ontario Phone 905-844-5772 For obsolete and hard to find IC's Pinewood Studios George Semkiw Vancouver Toronto Phone: 604-669-6000 416-622-4568 Fax: 604-669-0400 Winchester connectors: Remote Control Switches Powell Electronics, Peerless Electronics Montreal New York 1-800-235-7880 1-800-285-2121 Male: MRAC26P body or female: MRA26S or Oak-Grigsby 26-10-10P pins or sockets: 26 10-20S 88 N. Dugan Road JTC604 in-line fasteners Zip 60554-0890 JTC603 chassis mount fasteners 708-556-4200 MRE26H hood (specify with holes cut) - MRE26JTC Winchester Connector online catalog: www.litton-wed.com/products.html Paul Prestopino Cornerstone Electronics New York 2302 FairView St. 609-448-4697 Santa Ana CA 92705 Service Tech for Kooster McAllister's 714-557-2597 Record Plant Remote Fax 714-557-2690 email mark@computer-chips.com specializes in hard to find IC's Joel Katz 201-791-8718 New Jersey Ampex Repairs MAR 85 Problem: Machine gradually speeds up over length of reel. i.e Test tape reads 1 khz at end of reel and 980hz at start of reel. Solution: Replace capstan idler. If the idler is hourglassing, meaning the upper and lower edges make contact with the capstan, but not the middle, a temporary fix can be achieved by cutting off the top and bottom 1/4¯ of the rubber on the idler wheel to flatten it out and allow it to make better contact with the capstan. ************************************************************* MAY 85 Problem: Machine will not power up, but fuses ok. Solution: Check the two power supply regulator cards in the back of the machine to see if they are seated properly. 39 volt supply drives the audio, 27 volt drives the logic, and 15 volt runs the transport. Remove the cards and check for stray solder or wire strands across edge connector. ************************************************************** Problem: Record button lights up when PLAY button pushed. Machine won't stop. Solution: Replace record button on control box. Use Oak 581 switch. Obtainable at Westburne Electric, 257 Lakeshore Blvd. E. 635-2980 ************************************************************** JAN 86 Problem: No record in 30 ips mode. Solution: Replace hi speed power transistor on PWA Tension Control card. Use any Darlington type flat 30v transistor. ************************************************************** FEB 86 Problem: One channel has no output in Sel-Sync mode. Solution: Check for broken wires on headblock leading from rec/sync head. ************************************************************** NOV 86 Problem: Machine goes into play when powered up. Solution: Check seating of 27 volt power supply. ************************************************************** Problem: Transport will not go into rewind. Solution: Accessory cable connected at tape deck end, but not plugged into synchronizer. Disconnect accessory cable from rear of tape deck. ************************************************************** Problem: Take-up motor or supply motor does not function. Solution: Replace the fuse inside the power supply assembly on back of deck. The assembly must be removed and the lid taken off. There is a fuse for each motor at the back of the power supply. (F6 and F7, 5 amp quik-blow) ************************************************************** NOV 86, OCT 89 Problem: After powering up, takeup motor stays on, and rewind won't work, or supply motor stays on and FF won't work. Solution: There are 6 power transistors mounted on a heat sink in the MDA power supply assembly. There are three on each side of the assembly. One side governs the takeup motor, and the other side governs the supply motor. Remove the transistors one at a time, and attach a continuity meter to the leads. You should get a number when the leads are attached in one direction. When you reverse the leads, the meter should read 1. If it reads anything other than 1, replace the transistor. If it reads 1 in both directions, it is shorted out. When a power supply transistor blows, it could take out one of the small transistors (Q1, Q7)on the MDA card. (2N4240, or P312, or ECG286). There are two of them, each surrounded by a heat sink. If they show continuity across the two terminals, they are shorted out. You may also have to replace IC's A1 or A2 with a 7471CN. Be sure to insert IC right side up. (FEB 95) ************************************************************** Problem: Master repro/sel-sync switch will not switch out of sel-sync. Repro and sync lights for all 24 tracks are illuminated on remote control. Solution: 24 volt power supply logic needs to be re-booted. Power down tape deck for 30 seconds, then re-power. See April 93. Make sure that no other equipment is plugged into the same outlet as the Ampex! ************************************************************** Problem: No I/O or meters on channels 1 to 4. Solution: Each row of electronics cards (4 to a group) are mounted on a motherboard which has a 2 amp slow-blow fuse. Replace fuse. See Page 6-73 in Manual. ************************************************************* Problem: Stop and Rewind tension won't align to 2¯ tape mark on tension arm. Solution: Tension arm is bending out of shape and photocell shutter is scraping against cover. Bend back into shape. ************************************************************** Problem: No I/O on a channel. Solution: Check bias switch on audio switching card for that channel. Should be set to audio. May be a broken wire at E35 on switching card. ************************************************************** Problem: While in 24 track record mode, meter bulbs go out, but motors still run. Solution: Check fans at rear of deck to see if they are working. They may be clogged with dust., particularily fan at bottom right when facing back of deck. ************************************************************** Problem: Cracked or broken headblock socket. Solution: Replace with Continental SM-20-20-5GD (Ampex # 146129) ************************************************************** Problem: No take-up motor function, no capstan function. Solution: When reinserting MDA assembly back into the deck, the wire connecting the 115 volt feed to the takeup motor to bridge rectifier CR101 was pinched and shorted to the chassis. Replace IC A2 in (2N4240 or P312 or ECG286) on the MDA card. Replace Q103 and Q104 (2N3715 large power transistors in assembly below MDA card. Replace F7 (5 amp quik-blo) fuse in power supply assembly. ************************************************************** DECEMBER 91 Problem: When powering up, smoke emitted from rear of tape deck. Test point on 27 volt power supply card shows 48 volts. Solution: 27 volt power supply card not seated properly due to travel, causing two traces on the edge connector to short. Check resistor R8 on 27 volt power supply. ( 1ohm, 10w, 3% ). If shorted, voltmeter will not show continuity. Check all five pwer transistors in power supply heat sink assembly which surrounds the fan in the lower left hand corner when looking at the deck from the rear. With continuity checker attached to transistor leads, meter should read approximately 500. When leads are reversed, meter should read 1. If it reads anything other than 1, replace transistor with a 2N3773 or 2N3772. Check transistors Q26, 27, and 30 on Transport Control PWA. If they show continuity between the center pin and any of the side pins, replace them with MJE1100 or ECG257. Check capacitor C19 on Transport Control PWA. If it shows continuity, replace IC A13 with a MC680P. Check resistors R40 and R43 on Transport Control PWA. Resistance meter should show approximately 1.5. ************************************************************** Problem: When powering up, pinch roller engages capstan, and machine goes into play. Stop and Play indicators are illuminated. Solution: Replace IC A5 on the Transport Control PWA with an MC680P. ************************************************************** Problem: Individual red LEDS on control box will not come on. Solution: Check for break in trace between Q30 and Capacitor C26 on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** Problem: Play supply tension pot has no effect. Deck runs very fast in play mode. Solution: Check trim pots R4 and R34 (overall gain) for shorts between leads not already connected by traces. Hook up DC voltmeter to test point 1 and test point ground of Transport Control PWA. Reading should be approx. 12v. Move tension sensor arm, and voltage reading should vary between 9v and 14v at top and bottom limits of arm travel. If no variance is evident, then R34 is burnt out. Replace withn a 1.0m 1/2w variable resistor. ************************************************************** Problem: Record Read LED on control box stays red after machine has stopped, and after ready switch is switched into safe position. Solution: Replace capacitor C1 or C2, or whatever channel number not working, on control box switchboard PWA. Remove control box case. Capacitor is behind the malfunctioning ready/safe led. Use ceramic 0.1 uf, 100v, 10%. Black square. See manual schematic page 6-135/136. ************************************************************** Problem: Flutter in play mode. Solution: Replace IC A4 (UA741C) and transistor Q4 (2N5190) in Capstan Servo PWA. (page 6/122). Be sure to power down machine before inserting PWA. If no change, check power transistors in MDA power supply. ************************************************************** Problem: Control box not powered. Solution: Capstan Servo PWA was inserted while machine powered up. Replace transistor in power supply heat sink assembly. (surrounds lower left hand fan when looking at deck from back.) or Remote control cable is inserted upside down in rear of deck. ************************************************************** Problem: No directional tally lights on REW, FF, PLAY, REC buttons on control box. Solution: Replace Q20,21,22,or 23 on Tension Control PWA with A2219 transistors. See pages 4-20, schematic 6-9, 6-10, 6-127/128. Replace IC A13 (MC680P). Problem was caused by installing Tension Control PWA backwards. ************************************************************** Problem: After powering up, when tape is threaded, takeup and supply motors do not function. No REW, FF, or PLAY. No directional indicator tally lights on control box. Solution: Replace IC A13 (MC680P) on Tension Control PWA. If this doesn't work, replace IC A5 (MC680P). Check all Cinch-Jones connectors for seating on back of power supply assembly. JAN 91 Problem: No sel sync on a channel. Solution: Replace trimpot R28 on Audio Switching PWA using a VAR 10K 1/2w 20%. See page 6-79/80. or Replace Q9 (2N3906) if it shows continuity between all pins. or Replace C2 (10uf 50v 10% tantalum cap). or Check relays K2,3,4 (24v 890 ohms). Replace with a K4D or K4E type (4PDT). Four pole double throw. ************************************************************** MAR 91 Problem: Resistor R8 on 27v power supply card smokes when machine powered up. Solution: Check zener diodes VR 1,3, and 7 (IN751A) 5.1volt, 5% ************************************************************** Problem: F4 Fuse blows when machine powered up. Solution: Make sure all power transistors have insulator wafers under them. or Replace A2 bridge rectifier (35V) in power supply assembly. In a pinch, any 35 volt bridge rectifier will do. Replace F4 (15 v) fuse. ************************************************************** Problem: Pinch roller does not engage capstan in PLAY mode resulting in a big wow in play speed. Solution: Check for continuity between center pin on Q26 on Transport Control PWA with edge connector contact 16. ************************************************************** Problem: Takeup tension disappears when more than eight channels in RECORD mode. Machine stops. 39 volt regulator card test point loses one volt for each channel thrown into record. Solution: Power transistor Q6 on fuse panel assembly in power supply is missing one of the screws that holds it to the chassis. See page 6-108. ************************************************************** APRIL 91 Problem: Track will not stay in record. Red LED comes on for a second when record initiated, but does not latch on. Solution: Replace diode CR5 (IN914) on PWA Switching Card. ************************************************************** SEPT 92 Problem: When using search-to-cue function, transport does not park at the end of search. It tends to shuttle back and forth about six inches. Solution: Turn off the deck, remove Search to Cue/Tape Timer card from the space 2 slots from Transport Control PWA. (closest to the reels). Insert extender card (use Transport Contol PWA extender). Turn on deck. Adjust R68 slightly for overshoot. 1/16 of a turn should do it. Problem: Record light bulb on remote control does not illuminate when selected. Solution: Replace IC A16 (MC680P) on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** OCT 92 Problem: No PLAY or FF due to massive holdback tension on supply reel. Solution: Replace IC A16 (MC680P) on Transport Servo Contol PWA. ************************************************************** MAY 93 Problem: VU meter fluctuating wildly. Output audible off sync head but not off repro. Solution: Check for short in tiny cables behind the repro head. May be getting pinched by head cover. ************************************************************* AUG 93 Problem: No input showing on meter when deck parked. Solution: Remove Record card, check for a short across C32. Replace with a 15uf 15v tantalum capacitor. ************************************************************** SEPT 93 Problem: No audio output on sync or repro. VU meter shows input. Swapping PWA Audio Switching Card indicates a problem with that card. Solution: Check wire soldered to E35 on bottom left hand corner of card when viewing from the top for break in connection. ************************************************************** Problem: No lights on VU meters. No audio in input mode. No power at test points of 39v power supply card. Solution: Replace Fuse F3 (10 amp) on back of deck. ************************************************************** DEC 93 Problem: Machine goes into play when powered up. Solution: Check PLAY button on Remote contol panel built into Neotek console. May be stuck. Clean the switch. ************************************************************** APR 94 Problem: When standby monitor switch is in M/MON mode, tape lifters do not work in REW or FF mode. All input and sel-sync indicator led's are illuminated at half power. Solution: Replace diode CR52 (IN914) in control box. Make sure to maintain the same polarity as original diode. If this doesn't solve the problem, replace CR51 and CR50. They are all on the small circuit board on the back of the control box beneath the monitor mode switches. ************************************************************** Problem: No output on a channel in repro or sync mode. Solution: Check Q4 (2N4416 or 2N3904 or ECG 452 or 312) on Repro EQ card using a continuity meter. Replace the transistor if it shows a different pattern than a working card. See page 6-62. MAR 95 Problem: Intermittent meter response on sel-sync or repro during alignment. Solution: Check small wires on horizontal card. May only be one strand. (red wires near edge connectors.) ************************************************************** AUG 95 Problem: Distorted recording on one track. Audible in throughput. Solution: Replace Q15 (2N3945 or ECG128) on Record EQ card. ************************************************************** Problem: Channel down 4db at 10k relative to 1k on RECORD EQ main card. (no change when sub-card swapped.) Solution: Replace capacitor C28 (10uf 25v -10+75% Electrolytic capacitor) on RECORD EQ card. ************************************************************** SEPT 95 Problem: Master Monitor Repro LED stays lit even when single is selected. Solution: Power down machine, to reset logic. ************************************************************** DEC 95 Problem: Distortion while recording. Not audible in input mode, audible only in repro mode. Solution: On REPRO EQ card, replace input transformer T1 ( Ampex 458-0068-01), or C5 (47uf, 16v), or Q3 (2N4416, or 6550), or CR1, or CR2 (diode 1N914). ************************************************************** Problem: Level from Audio Switching Card PWA is much lower than normal card. Solution: Replace Q11, 12, or 13 ( 2N3565) on Audio Switching Card PWA ************************************************************** FEB 96 Problem: Track 23 won't switch from repro to sync to input. Solution: Reseat 104 pin Winchester Remote Control connector in back of machine. ************************************************************** FEB 96 Problem: Takeup motor brakes not engaged when no tape loaded. Solution: Remove upper rear panel (with 50hz label). Black cable is interfering with brakes on takeup side. Fasten it out of the way. ************************************************************** FEB 96 Problem: Play speed at 995 when tensions all read ok. Solution: Clean pinch roller with ®Rubber Renue¯ from Electrosonic., or replace pinch roller (ATR Service, York, Penn.) ************************************************************** APR 96 Problem: Track cuts in and out during repro. Can be fixed temporarily by reseating REPRO EQ card. Solution: Try swapping card to another channel. If problem does not stay with card, check small wires behind repro head for intermittency. ************************************************************** APR 96 Problem: Sudden variance in speed. Can be triggered by wiggling Transport PWA card. Solution: Use screwdriver to tighten PWA card Socket. ************************************************************** APR 96 Problem: Various intermittent problems on audio cards. Problem does not stay with card if card is swapped to another channel. Solution: Use a small screwdriver to pinch card sockets together. ************************************************************** MAY 96 Problem: Machine does not always stop when stop button pressed. Stop button lamp is always on, evn when machine in PLAY or FF or REW. Solution: Replace Q23 on Tension Servo PWA. Check with continutity checker. Should read 1 in one direction and a number in the other when black lead on centre pin and read lead on either side. ************************************************************** MAY 96 Problem: No capstan motor. Solution: Replace IC A6 (MC668P) or A19 (MC665P) ****************************************************************************** If 27 volt power supply shows 12 volts on volt meter, you are using the wrong test points. You are y'ing the 15 and 27 volt supplies. The ground test point is near the bottom of the card. ********************************************** 24 track Headblock connectors: 1 Erase head 1-8 2 Erase head 9-16 3 Erase head 17-24 4 Sync head 1-8 5 Sync head 9-16 6 Sync head 17-24 Looking down at pins, track 1-8 start at socket side. Two pins per track. ************************************************************** MAY 96 Problem: When entering play mode, pinch roller engages capstan for a second, then disengages. (Machine starts and stops in a jerky motion.) This only happens when the tape timer idler wheel is spinning in either direction, indicating motion. If tape timer/search-to-cue PWA is removed, transport works ok. Solution: Repair broken trace between pins 8 and 16 on IC A6 on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** MAY 96 Problem: No tape lifters in FF or REW. Solution: Repair broken trace from IC A18 to Q28 on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** JUNE 96 Problem: No Rewind due to excessive tension on takeup reel. No REW indicator light. Tape lifters do not work in Rewind. Solution: Replace IC A7 (MC668P) on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** JUNE 97 Problem: Noisy channel. Solution: Replaced Q14 (1086) on output mute circuit. Replaced C12 and C13 (7uf, 50V capacitors) on PWA Switching card. Problem: Dead channel. Solution: Replaced Q14 (1086) on output mute circuit. JUNE 97 Problem: After warming up, machine starts to run very fast in play mode. Problem can be activated by twisting Transport Control PWA slightly.] Solution: Check for broken traces on 3rd pin down from right side of IC A15. ************************************************************** JULY 97 Problem: Upon powering up, with tape loaded, supply reel spins quickly in reverse even though deck is in stop mode. Solution: Fix broken trace from Pin 11 on IC A4 on Transport Control PWA. ************************************************************** DEC 97 Problem: Red record indicator stays on after selecting STOP. Solution: Change IC A9 on Transport Control PWA. (record latch) Use MC661. Could also be cold solder joint on Pin 8 of A9 socket. ************************************************************** DEC 97 Problem: No REWIND indicator light. Solution: Replace IC A13 on Transport Control PWA with an MC680P. ************************************************************** DEC 97 Problem: No minutes or seconds on tape counter display. Solution: Replace IC A8 on Search to Cue Timer Card. Use a 7417N. Card is one closest to the back of the machine in the group of three under the off/on switch panel. ************************************************************** DEC 97 Problem: Volume almost nonexistent on a channel. Seems to be frequency dependent: -10vu at 15k, -12vu at 10k, -20vu at 1k. Solution: Replace Capacitor C13 on Repro EQ card with a 50uf 25v. ************************************************************** JAN 98 Problem: No play supply tension. Rewind ok. All power transistors in MDA power supply ok. Solution: Check headblock to see if all turquoise connectors are properly seated. APRIL 98 Problem: Deck goes into rewind when powered up. Solution: Check photocell below tension bulb cover for cold solder joint on tiny black cable wher it connects to small rectangular panel. Reglue panel in place if necessary. APRIL 98 Problem: Track not erasing. Changing all four electronics cards for that channel has no effect. Changing headblock has no effect. Solution: Check to see if leds on control box are acting properly. If they are at half brightness, and two rows are illuminated at half brightness simultaneously, then turn off deck for 30 seconds to re-boot the 24 volt switching logic. Once leds are ok, then erase function will be ok. **************************************************************