Thanks for the tips, I think I'll replace the caps first as I don't own a variac. I'd rather not damage anything in case the foil in those caps have shorted upon application of full power. =] -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 <(517)%20775-6129> www.erogear.com On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 12:02 PM, Pete Lancashire <pete at petelancashire.com

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll replace the caps first as I don't own a variac. I'd rather not damage anything in case the foil in those caps have shorted upon application of full power. =] -- Anders Nelson +1 (517) 775-6129 www.erogear.com On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 12:02 PM, Pete Lancashire <pete at petelancashire.com> wrote: > I would first be more concerned with the ones I've circled > > https://goo.gl/photos/jweLs4meE2to3mom8 > > Guessing this guy was built > 30-40 years ago. If it was mine I would > replace all the smaller ones. > > Get it over and done with. > > The ones that have screws, you can take the chance of putting a scope > across them (watch out if they are floating !!) and look at the ripple, I > any over say 2%, they are more than likely bad, but you can see if the > reform or not. More then a couple % and you can damage things. > > Other things I do > > Check the voltages quickly > > Check the thermal grease on all the heat sinks. > > -pete > > PS keep your eyes open from replacement lamps. > > > > > > > On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 11:28 AM, Anders Nelson via cctalk < > cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> Hi guys, >> >> I recently impulse-bought a paper tape reader from eBay, a Remex >> RRS6500BE1/660/DRB/U901 >> >> Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292050475397 >> >> Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Wa3W7mtTwwuTczUV7 >> >> It has several enormous capacitors in it and I want to do my due diligence >> before powering it up. Does anyone have advice in this regard? I'm >> competent in soldering and rework of all sorts but definitely more in >> digital than analog. >> >> Also the spindles squeak very slightly - are they oilable? >> >> In general it looks to be in pristine condition; no dust and no >> magic-smoke >> smell. The only repair item I can find is a sticking tape roller and >> gentle >> bending oughta solve that. >> >> I await your thoughts! >> -- >> Anders Nelson >> >> +1 (517) 775-6129 >> >> www.erogear.com >> >>

On Mon, 17 Apr 2017, Rod Smallwood wrote: *shaking head* Sorry, this is just a plain dumb answer. If they are good now, they probably will be good in 10 years, too. We never change any caps just because of their age. I suggest: check for electrical safety, then plug it in and try it; after all, it's "just" a tape reader with a simple PSU, not a 50s era mainframe. It will just work, I guess. If there should be a problem with those "big caps", you'll see it. But it's much faster and easier to test them beforehand (i.e. short or no short) than to foolishly replace everything. Christian