News

Hello everybody

If you want to follow my new project/adventure, go to this adress:
http://orgautomatix.blog4ever.com/ .
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Stand by

I'm now waiting for the Rollcutter rendez-vous next week where I'am going to show an organ to be dismantle soon. I'm thinking now about the Automatic Organ Mark II. I'll tell you about in a couple of weeks, on another blog. Please, keep touch! 

Screw!!!

After hours of reflection, head scratching and many test, I found the problem.....Ther was short circuit between solenoïds of the wires group 1. Look at the screw, look at the wires group....and guess what could happens! It was for the 1st blow out and the second yesterday. I did'nt understand why a note could make playind a few pipes! So, I know. 6 or 7 solenoïds on the same port, it is too much. Perhaps the card can be repaired, perhaps it's a dream....I'm going to send it to J. Wale for checking, but I have not too much hope. I rather have to consider than I loose 130 euros with this litle stupidity. The fact is I'm sure the diodes are not in cause, but I'll put some on my next wind chest. After Rolcutter Rendez-Vous, an other adventure will begin! 

It was working

I did'nt understand why the basses were all playing together. There was a problem, and when I tried to play every basse..........smoke..........you can see the result. One ULN 2803 is almost exploded! Chips are unplugged but the small green led does'nt light. I think this time the card is completely destroyed. The best now is to go to bed, we'll see tomorrow! If you'll be on Rollcutter meeting, I'am not sure you'll hear The Automatic Organ! 

And it works!

Good news! We heard today a few notes of music. It's not really perfect. Many things are to be changed. I have to add an other bellow, I have to change the reservoir and the wind chest. All the solenoïds must be re-installed (and so I'll be able to add diodes...). But the pipes (the few which are working properly) seem have got a beautiful sound so I can keep this...The electronic card is now fixed and the Midi files Reader does its job very well. I have to test with the battery fully charged, some notes do not want to play under the pressure. It will be better with vitamins. And if somebody can tell me how I can put a MP 3 somewhere for donwloading, don't hesitate! I'll record a few tunes. Right now, I must wait for the battery ......and I have many tunes to arrange to continue! 

Waiting for chips

No great news today. You can see I sticked on small paper sheet to prevent wrong wiring. I'm waiting for the chips to test the organ with a little tune. I can just check pipes one after one by connecting each solenoïd wire to the 24 V battery. Not easy to do a melody!
3 belows is definitively a wrong solution. I can clairly hear a sort of "tremolo" in sound. I'll make a blog especialy for this problem, with diagrams showing than belows must be by pairs.
Accordion bellow is neither a good solution.
Also, the flat angle brackets supporting solenoïds are not very good and it is better to put springs for good response of notes.
Perhaps the best is to consider this organ as a prototype concentring all the solutions you must not use!
If this blog can help somebody to do no mistake, I'll be happy! 

ULN 2803A

These are the responsibles of troubles! . I ordered 8 ULN 2803A chips today, it's not very expansive, 0.70 euros each. I think receive the news soon!
Many thanks to friends for having help me! Hope is coming back!
To prevent other troubles, I'm advised to add diodes between solenoïds wires, but as you can see on the picture, they are all soldered and insulated, how can I do?
3rd picture: By the small window in the bellow, it is possible to repair the bad valves easely.
 

Card is off

Nothing very interesting today! I think the electronic card is burnst! When I plugged it this morning, just saw parks and smoke! Do you think it's natural for such a card? I must investigate to know what's happen last night.
Today I just made a new crank and repaired the bad bellow.
Also, I'm not sure it's a great idea to have made 3 bellows.
And perhaps gravity is not suffisant for solenoïds working, a small spring would be better, there are leaks...
Well, I must think!