Fostex G16 Calamity

[phil-fw]

Hi all
I just purchased a second hand G16. It was working fine. Then I carelessly turned the machine a little to check the cables at the rear. The power cable must have been not fully home as it dropped out... I reckon this was during play. Now the unit lights up and the controls seem to be OK.. but nothing works as I get CAM error. I tried clearing it by "holding down the stop button for several seconds" but this problem won't go away. Anybody have some helpful suggestions? Needless to say... I am gutted as I was looking forward to trying the new gizmo but seemed to have killed it in about 10 minutes.
Thanks

 

[RRuskin]

I have no 1st hand experience with that machine but I'd check all internal fuses to make certain everything is getting power.

 

[phil-fw]

Oh praise the Lord. I managed to clear it. I guess the method might be useful to anyone else in this position. I was just getting poised to delve into the service manual and then I reasoned that it was probably like an old VCR... accidental power off when cycling throws the mechanism out of kilter. I thought I could access the CAM mechanism and reposition it manually before powering on and let it gather itself again. I got as far as removing the head cover and then simply held the pinch roller down as I powered up. This clearly allowed the mechanism to unjam and it promptly healed itself. I am sooo relieved. I didn't get as far as checking the fuses... but all the displays were working OK. Thankfully I can put the panel covers back on and breathe again. Thanks

 

[rob aylestone]

That's one of those great little tricks us old reel to reelers got used to. My old Ferrograph had some quirks when you changed speed. Just how these old electro-mechanical things were! Glad you fixed it!

 

[phil-fw]

Yes... I am currently wrestling with a Ferrograph series 5 as well... a lot more volts... but essentially a lot simpler than modern gear.