[GreenKeys] Help with Model 15 Adjustment - bouncing carriage return

[Paul Baggenstoss]

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a Model 15 (actually TG-7B)  that I have been using as a printer for all kinds of internet applications like weather and news. I have written an interface program and built a loop supply and terminal unit. It's a fantastic piece of machinery!

I wonder if anyone in the greenkeys group has some experience with a
bouncing carriage return.  My Model 15 seems in all other aspects to be in great shape. But recently I took the type bar carriage off to do some oiling and put it back on, and put a drop of oil on the carriage return dashpot piston. Ever since then, it prints without being able to find the start of the page.  It looks like this:

Sometimes is starts here...
   But sometimes here...
  and sometimes here...
And back to here.....

It seems to bounce when it hits the dashpot, but not always. Perhaps it is not a dashpot bounce, but a hard bounce - not sure.   It depends how far it travels - that is how long the last line was.  The dashpot seems to work if I hit it hard with my hand, it gives a satisfying hiss and absorbs the shock.

The manual talks about adjusting the dashpot vent screw so that there is "no bounce and minmum shock".  But his does not seem to be enough information.
I have tried the full range of settings for the dashpot vent and have set the spring drum for the 4 pound setting to move the type carriage. I also have tried as low as 1 pound spring tension. I can't seem to get it right.  What drives me crazy is that it started happening all of a sudden - having only put a drop of oil on the dashpot piston and re-set the spring drum tension. For the time being, I have set the software to do always 3 carriage returns so that it finishes bouncing before the next line starts.  Any help is appreciated.

Paul Baggenstoss AI1F