[GreenKeys] TT-4C start-up progress

[Steve Garrison]

Greg,

 

Do you have a 120v DC power source connected to the TT-4 to energize the
selector magnets?

 

On the line terminal board, with the shorting bars in place across terminals
2&3 and across 5&6, you would have the DC supply connected at  terminals
1&4.  With the LINE switch in the DC LINE position, the LINE INCREASE
variable resistor should be adjusted to show 60ma on the meter.

 

It takes a DC loop supply for the motor stop relay circuitry to work
properly.  Manually closing the motor stop contact (S6) should cause the
motor to come on and the machine to run open.  Running open would explain
the "tat, tat, tat" noise you describe.

 

The BREAK key only comes into play if the DC loop supply is present and the
motor stops because the machine has received a MOTOR STOP signal, which is
nothing more than receiving the letter "H" while the machine is shifted into
the FIGURES mode.  You should be able to manually latch the motor stop relay
armature into the latched position and it should remain there until the next
MOTOR STOP signal is received.

 

I guess the main point I'm trying to make is that you are going to need a DC
loop supply before things will appear to be working normally.

 

As for paper, I don't have a ready source, but if you were here in the
States I could a couple rolls to you in short order, but not sure what we
would need to do to get those same rolls to you down under.  We just
recently had a place in New York unload a bunch of roll paper that fits
perfectly in my TT-4 and I picked up a case of 12 rolls from the guy that
purchased the whole lot.  Anyone headed Greg's way on vacation?

 

Get hold of a 120V DC loop supply and you should be in business.

 

Steve G./N4TTY

 

From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Greg Arnoldussen
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 11:13 PM
To: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [GreenKeys] TT-4C start-up progress

 

I spent most of my nights this week cleaning the first of my two TT-4Cs,
serial number AW-176 (with the other being AW-247).  I chose the one with
the surface corrosion - a white crystalline deposit which was removed using
fine sandpaper, a toothbrush and simple green, taking care not to allow any
of the debris to fall into the mechanism, where possible I wedged in a cloth
underneath to help.  I decided it was far better not to take apart this
machine to the point where I could have trouble getting it back together
again (even by following the manual).  I still have more cleaning to do.
The removal of the paper guard on the rear really helped with accessibility.


 

This machine is already well greased but I oiled the felts and turned the
motor by hand and all of the components respond without complaint.  The
fuses seemed OK.

 

I purchased a 240 to 115V transformer and plugged in the machine, the earth
strap is designed to connect to a wire which ends up connected to a post in
the ground (for Army field use) but as the best earth I could use is the
earth pin of the socket itself I have used that.  It is not pretty but it
does the job for now and I will have to purchase modern proper US style
plugs (retaining the original plugs of course).

 

I switched on the unit with no effect.  I tried the break switch with no
luck.  I tried striking some keys and no good.  I put the cover back on to
see if the light worked and yes it did, so that told me power was getting
in.  Nonetheless, I still could not get the motor to work.  I replaced a
fuse without luck.  I removed the TT from the base and turned it carefully
onto its side to remove the electronic circuit cover at the rear.  It is
amazingly clean as if it was made yesterday.  Nothing looked leaky and
cables were not loose.

 

Last night my electrical engineering friend (a very cluey guy)came around
and after an hour or so worked out the relay beside the bell on the right
hand rear corner of the machine was open, its normal state is closed.  When
we closed the relay and started the motor everything fired with a steady
"tat, tat, tat" noise.  This is good!  We tried to understand why the relay
was open.  The only way to close it was by hand, and we figured that either
(a) the machine had been decommissioned and this was a safety step or (b) a
remote TT had opened the relay and only a remote TT can open it again.
Personally I thought the BREAK switch should engage the motor as stated in
the manual, but it did not work when I tried, perhaps someone might know?  I
struck a few keys but nothing typed, maybe this has something to do with the
armature setting or jumper settings. Despite reading both op and service
manuals it is still a whole new world to me and I have to remind myself I am
dealing with fifty year old technology!   

 

I do not want to run this machine too much yet before I am confident
everything is working internally with grease and oil.  So I am now going to
go over the lubrication schedule next and to synchronise the motor with the
tuning fork (I am have trouble with this, I think the procedure requires a
fairly fine turn of the screw).  All in all a very successful week.

 

PS.  Where do you guys source rolls of  paper from?  I got some strange
looks from the office supply shop.  Fax paper is not the right paper I told
them. 

 

 

cheers,

 

Greg in Wangaratta.

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