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<DIV>Hi Ted:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Everything that is done to the machine is logged and the documentation is
turned over to the client with the completed machine. Some of it is
routine....the dis-assembly to the extent practical in order to clean
everything, tightening/replacing hardware as needed, etc. Then there are
problems specific to the individual machine. In this case, several areas
have physical damage including a circuit board with numerous components broken
off and a broken vacuum regulator.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>However, there is one problem that has been consistent in all of the
VR-3000's that I've seen. Because it can be very self-destructive, I'd
urge anyone that has one of the machines to check for this, even if there's no
intention of using the machine because it will only get
worse over time. The problem is with the deterioration of the vacuum
lines. As they age, they begin to "sweat", and what oozes out on the
surface of the tubing will attack any circuit board traces that it comes in
contact with. It doesn't seem to harm the aluminum components of the
machine, but it also dissolves the material that forms the head of the vacuum
pump. End result is that circuit boards have to be cleaned and repaired,
and the vacuum pump has to be rebuilt.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I've included a few pictures to illustrate the problem. This is a
view of the tubing in the area of the vacuum pump and regulator. The
aluminum cover is the bottom of the take-up motor and the driver board for that
motor has been removed. The board normally covers part of this
tubing, and so the solder side of the board comes in contact with the
tubing. You can see the sticky substance that is covering the
tubing.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><IMG border=0 hspace=0 alt="" align=baseline
src="cid:0BBD59C3BDE64C828C223B0EB0270B81@dcidell2v2"> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Here's the underside of the board with the "gunk" from the tubing....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><IMG border=0 hspace=0 alt="" align=baseline
src="cid:52FB17B9FC5B4C1FA2FFACAAE8C0CED0@dcidell2v2"></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And here is that board after it has been cleaned. You can see that
the solder has been eaten away at a number of places. This is actually a
mild case of this problem. In more severe cases, the copper traces may be
completely eaten away as well. You'll notice that part of the dash
"02" part number is completely gone.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><IMG border=0 hspace=0 alt="" align=baseline
src="cid:7153EEB216334EF5BAA47EAF09F2D9B9@dcidell2v2"></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So as you can see, this is a serious problem. I suspect that this
particular machine is not as bad as most because it is newer. The
extent of the damage also varies depending on exactly where the tubing is
routed. In the worst cases, as many as 8 boards have been damaged.
So while each machine has its unique problems, this problem seems to be
universal, and that's why I urge anyone that has a VR-3000 to address
it before it gets any worse!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Don Norwood<BR>Digitrak Communications, Inc.<BR><A
href="http://www.digitrakcom.com">www.digitrakcom.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ted@quadvideotapegroup.com
href="mailto:ted@quadvideotapegroup.com">Ted Langdell</A> </DIV>
<P></P><STRONG><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e4e4e4" size=2></FONT></STRONG>
<HR>
<P></P>
<DIV>Sounds like fun, Don. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Keep us posted on your progress.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>As always... pictures are welcome... or links to videos posted
on YouTube, Vimeo and elsewhere.
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Ted</DIV>
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