Ampex ATR-700 Issues

[teac3440]

I pick up an Ampex ATR-700 pro Reel to reel*reelspin**reelspin*. it is direct drive but is having a speed issue, when it is doing 15 IPS or 7 1/2 IPS it does the oppisit speed. i think there might be an electrical error but i am not sure, i paid onliy $50 for it.
please reply with advice or ect.. thanks from Bernie.http://radioreader.net/images/AmpexATR700.jpg this is not my image but an image of what the machine looks like.

[Skywavebe]

Hi Bernie;
I have not been in one of these for a while but it seems to me that the speed switch connector or the wiring may have been reversed or miswired.
I have both the ATR700 and Teac A7300-2T at home and can investigate further once I get to my service manuals. Have you looked inside to see if a connector is on backwards? I am in the Midwest near O'Hare Airport if you need a person to look at it. It is certainly a nice machine. However, since these are old they may need some mechanical attention as well as calibration.

[TheReeler]

$50??!?!?!?!?!?!? *eyepop* *hypnot*

[teac3440]

i found it really weird to only $50 but it was being sold as-is. they are ecxelent machines.And yes all help would be very much appreciated skywavebe. thanks for your time.

[ghn5ue]

Keep in mind that although the ATR700 is based on the Teac A-7300, there are some considerable differences. I have 3 A-7300's and am quite familiar with them, but I have never had an ATR700 (you probably have the only one in this city!!). I do have a copy of the service manual, and the electronics and transport logic are very different than the A7300's . The direct drive DC capstan motor looks the same, however , as best I can tell. The connector for this is keyed so it can't be put on the wrong way, so that probably isn't the issue with your machine. The servo circuitry has given me problems on my decks, but in most cases it is solved by removing the plug in card from the side of the motor and cleaning the oil and gunk off the contacts. Never had a speed reversal like you are experiencing, but have had them constantly vary speed up and down. What happens when you pull the knob engaging the variable speed control on the front panel? Does it vary the speed as it should?