TU56 restoration

[Paul Koning]

>>>>> "Ashley" == Ashley Carder <wacarder at usit.net> writes:

 Ashley> I am supposed to be getting a TU56 DECtape unit today.  I
 Ashley> believe it was functional when it was retired, but it
 Ashley> supposedly now has a grimy film on it.

Isopropyl alcohol to the rescue -- carefully scrub the heads and the
tape guides (including the spring mounted side guides).

 Ashley> Can I easily test the mechanics, on/off switches, lamps,
 Ashley> motors, etc, without hooking up the TC11?  I think there is a
 Ashley> local mode switch and wondered what all could be tested
 Ashley> easily without hooking up the TC11. 

I don't know to what extent, if any, this depends on having a
controller hooked up, but... if you load a tape and turn on the drive,
and observe that the motors establish tape tension and hold the tape
steady (no creep) then a lot is working.  Then you can hit the
left/right switch and observe that the tape quickly accelerates to a
steady motion, and just as quickly stops smoothly when you release the
switch.

	paul