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Images of frustration

Here are some more detailed pictures of the machine. I have started to check out the functionality. The frustration comes from the vacuum switches - as expected.

 
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  Here you see a full front view of the machine while powered up.
 
 
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  The upper half of the front.
 
 
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  The front panel controls
 
 
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  The vacuum columns with a tape loaded.
 
 
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  The machine's backside
 
 
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  The capstan belt is back in place, and the motor as well.
 
 
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  Where to get such a belt???
 
 
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  The compressor/vacuum pump
 
 
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  This is the read-write head assembly in the upper position.
 
 
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  The head again
 
 
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  A loop chamber zone switch
 
 
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  Column switches... uh oh....
 
 
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  Here you can see the top contact.
 
 
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  The place where the swich has been removed from. Oh, you have to turn your head upside-down....
 
 
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  This is the underside of one of the zone switches. The white greasy stuff is "Dow Corning vacuum grease". Don't know where to buy it. Is needed to correctly reassemble and remount the switches.
 
 
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  Upper side of the removed switch
 
 
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  Interior of the switch after removal of lower membrane (which is not broken). But the upper membrane which is not easily removable (see the glue) is broken.
 
 
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  There's he whole :-(
 
 
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  Some technical background on the loop regulation
 
 
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  That's the way the vacuum switches are built. The diaphragms are *not* easily replaced :-(
Any suggestions?
 
 
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  No comment
 
 
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  The whole power-up and power-down sequencing is done via those mercury-wetted contact relays. They sit in sockets like vacuum tubes.
 
 
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  The drive is not from the sixties. Everything is dated 1970.
 
 
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  9101 is the machine number of the second H316 I *think*
 
 
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  The circuit breakers in "chassis C"
 
 
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  I have found the type plate.
 
 
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  No comment
 
 
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  The loop chamber vacuum sensor. It is not really ok as well. But I *hope* that there's no problem with the membrane....
 
 
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  The TAD package connector - but there's no TAD package :-(
 
 
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  The write head drivers are *not* missing.
 
 
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  What do I configure here?
 
 
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  One of the sense amplifier boards still in the machine
 
 
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  No comment