Simon SP/4 Reel To Reel.

[Tedzed1]

Another freebie picked up with the hacker portable radio.

this is a large and heavy beast, but I found it unusual as it has an auto reverse function, so went to collect it, and the nice lady said that it works, but needs a good service, buttons stick, and has a hum.

So home we went, and got it onto the table, and could not resist a try, out with the lamp limiter, plugged in and switched on, nothing, apart from the 60w bulb lit up at full brightness, so first job I presume is to check mains TX, then change the smoothing caps, (2x 32uf) and change that cap, and take it from there.

I was lucky that it came with the operation manual, which has the scematic in the back, about 15 reels of tape, two microphones, and a bag full of different leads with connectors, so onwards and upwards, but feel I will be back for more help, I have not had much luck with reel to reel recorders yet.

[Steve_P]

Looking at that circuit, it tells me that the motor windings are across the mains before the transformer, so they and the transformer itself would conduct enough power to make the bulb light.

But the limiter thing aside and just hit it with full mains. What are you, a man or a mouse!! (Or very lucky.... Simon indeed...)

Cheers,

Steve P.

[Paula A]

What a beaut.. looks late 50's or perhaps as late as 62/63 but wouldn't say any later than that.

Geloso microphone as well.. look after that, they fetch very good money from Geloso amplifier collectors. (I can put you in touch with such a collector if you so desire)

[Tedzed1]

Thanks Paula, here is a review from January 1959.

http://www.ferrographworld.com/pdf/test%...%20SP4.pdf

I will wait till the kids are in bed, then do what Steve P advises, give it the full beans, and see what it does,
Mouse indeed....Squeak...Squeak. :P (big extension lead coming out)

[Tedzed1]

Well,there is life, a few crackles on the volume, no sound on playback from left to right, but massive hum when playback in opposite direction, but again, it is full of Hunts caps. but on a positive, all tape play rewind and fast forward functions operate as they should, so hopefully it just needs a major capacitor transplant.

[Steve_P]

Well, as well as that, check the deck switching. These decks switch the heads over for use in either direction and this is a common source of problems on these.

The wiring on the back of the heads will give a buzz when touched - and make sure the screening is okay as well.

The smoothers are OK or you would have a constant buzz.

Cheers,

Steve P.

[Tedzed1]

Thanks Steve, I will check what you have suggested when I get a little more time, probably after the Golborne meeting.

[Steve_P]

Bring it to Golborne. I'll try and ensure you don't have it when you leave...

Cheers,

Steve P.

[Tedzed1]

Do you mean you would like it to take up a "permanent" residency at Bush House

[Colourstar]

Well, no doubt one day this probably will end up with Steve P, but for now it's residing chez Colourstar after exchanging a few beer vouchers with Paul on Golbourne day when he came to pick me up en-route to the event.

All that stuff about plugging it straight in is all fine and dandy but being a cautious sort I was somewhat suspicious of the aftermarket 2 pin connector a previous owner had added to the mains lead. Although the connector was, despite initial appearances, non reversible, close inspection revealed that not only is it wired back to front (live to neutral etc) but the original mains lead on the Simon is 3 core, whilst the new bit is 2 core. The earth lead is just snipped off in the connector. So that's ideal then

It must have been like this for years and I wonder if any permanent damage is likely to have been sustained. No wonder the poor thing sounded unhappy.

Check out the internal photo- this machine is built like the proverbial tank. You can see where the 95gns went! The spring-suspended assembly on the left of the chassis is interesting... any ideas why this needs to be free from mechanical vibration?

The house is currently upside down with 'home improvements' i.e. spreading brick dust over everything in sight, so I'm not in a position to tinker at the moment as I am providing a full time tea supply to the workmen currently destroying the kitchen.

Steve J