Pile of MCL equipment

[Madskp]

I just bought a pile of old MCL equipment out of interest in parts of it.

First the newest MCL 2A type 2046 and X-tra speaker kit type 2047

Then 2 MCL30 type 2050 complete in box, one of them unused with protection film still on the IR eye. I will scan the manual mail it to Multicare for upload to the product archive.

1 MCL82 type 2041 unit with IR eye

2 more boxes without markings that are probably also MCL82 units although on the inside the components are different than on the unit above:

 

 

And now it gets interesting. The next box is also without markings, but I have a feeling it could be a MCL-Beolab kit type 1006/1007 for control of Beomaster 6000 and 8000 with MCL30 and MCL82. I hope someone can verifiy if that is correct? The IR eye is missing.

There was also a bunch of MCL and Aux cables:

But one of them is a mystery if it is indeed for a B&O product:

 

One of the connectors is a 6 Pin DIN and the other on is a 5 pin, but with the pins in cross formation. Does anyone know what that could be for?

 

[Madskp]

Madskp wrote:

2 more boxes without markings that are probably also MCL82 units although on the inside the components are different than on the unit above:

Just to clarify this I have taken a photo of the inside of the box that are marked MCL82 (left) and one with no markings on it (right)

There are many similarities, but the PCB has some changes to the layout and some component are newer. I seems like the one on the left also has a footprint for the large relay that is on the other one though.

 

And just while I was at it I also took a photo of the inside of one of the MCL30 boxes. Looks even newer component wise than the 2 MCL82 boxes:

 

[Guy]

Madskp wrote:

One of the connectors is a 6 Pin DIN and the other on is a 5 pin, but with the pins in cross formation. Does anyone know what that could be for?

The 6-pin DIN matches the connection for the Beomaster 7000 external IR sensor, but I can’t recall any B&O applications for the 5-pin 270 degree DIN (wikipedia shows DIN 45327, or domino/dice arrangement)

[Madskp]

Guy wrote:

The 6-pin DIN matches the connection for the Beomaster 7000 external IR sensor

That was also my thought, and apperently it was also used for the external IR sensor for the code converter for MCL82 and MCL30.

Guy wrote:

but I can’t recall any B&O applications for the 5-pin 270 degree DIN (wikipedia shows DIN 45327, or domino/dice arrangement)

Me neither. Some searching on the DIN 45327 it seems like it has been used for stereo headphones on some audio equipment.

[Glitch]

I got this as a part of a bundle of other B&O stuff. I hadn’t given it much thought until I saw this thread. It appears to be unused since the display still has the protective film attached. I don’t think the original owner knew what it was for and I’m not that much different. Anyway, here is a picture of the circuit board in the off chance that it is useful to you.

Is this useful for hooking up to anything other than the equipment listed on the diagram?

Glitch

[Madskp]

Glitch wrote:

Anyway, here is a picture of the circuit board in the off chance that it is useful to you.

Thanks for sharing and intersting to see at least three variations of components for what i eessntialy the same product. But they might have been produced over a certain period to be able to let the customers expand their link system.

Glitch wrote:

Is this useful for hooking up to anything other than the equipment listed on the diagram?

Acording to this page https://beoworld.org/master-control-link-mcl30-mcl82/ it can also be used with a Beomaster 8000, but aperently some modification of the link boxes are needed and also the MCL-Beolab kit type 1006. So not that versatile as the newer Beolink 1000 compatible MCL and ML link systems.

 

 

[Glitch]

I hope that I’m not hijacking your thread. If so, I’ll “cease and desist” and maybe start a new thread.

I was vaguely aware of the ability of using the MCL82-2041 with the Beomaster 8000, and also the Beomaster 6000 of the same era. The functionality gained for these additional devices seems minimal. My (likely incomplete) understanding is that it just supports a subset of the remote commands that are relayed via a IR->wired->IR chain. The documentation that I’ve found isn’t exactly clear and concise. I’ve found this old thread, https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/14327/126573.aspx which answers some questions.

Madskp wrote:

And now it gets interesting. The next box is also without markings, but I have a feeling it could be a MCL-Beolab kit type 1006/1007 for control of Beomaster 6000 and 8000 with MCL30 and MCL82. I hope someone can verifiy if that is correct? The IR eye is missing.

It looks like the port for the “IR eye” is a simple 3.5mm jack. If so, do you think that a generic IR emitter would work? It seems possible if all it needs to do is pass IR commands into the BM8000.

Could the box be the “code converter” mentioned in the old thread?

Glitch

 

• This reply was modified 1 day, 15 hours ago by Glitch.

[Madskp]

Glitch wrote:

I hope that I’m not hijacking your thread. If so, I’ll “cease and desist” and maybe start a new thread.

Very ok, and also very relevant to the subject 🙂

Glitch wrote:

My (likely incomplete) understanding is that it just supports a subset of the remote commands that are relayed via a IR->wired->IR chain

Yes something like that as the BM 6000 and 8000 does not have any data communication for link rooms, so the MCL-Beolab Kit with an IR sender is needed to activate and make control commands to the Beomaster.

Glitch wrote:

The documentation that I’ve found isn’t exactly clear and concise. I’ve found this old thread, https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/14327/126573.aspx which answers some questions.

I have also looked into that thread and there seems to be some confusion which I can understand as the document about the code converter not is 100% clear in relation to product names and numbers.

Glitch wrote:

It looks like the port for the “IR eye” is a simple 3.5mm jack. If so, do you think that a generic IR emitter would work? It seems possible if all it needs to do is pass IR commands into the BM8000.

I think it is actually a 2.5mm jack and probably only with two pins (I will look further into that). I do no have that much knowledge about IR emitters, if they have to be for a certain frequency. The Code converter manual mentions a cable with mini plug and a blue LED.

Glitch wrote:

Could the box be the “code converter” mentioned in the old thread?

Pretty sure it is not. The code converter do have more connectors. Having looked deeply into the code converter manual I am almost sure the box I have is the MCL-Beolab kit.

To my best of understanding this is how it works:

The Code converter can make it possible to use a Beolink 1000 to control the mentioned systems. If used with a BM6000/8000 a IR emitter has to be connected to the code converter to get the control signals to them. This can be done with or without a MCL30/82 link system

The MCL Beolab Kit is used to get data control signals from MCL82 or MCL30 link rooms into a BM8000 or BM6000 as none of them have the MCL data connection.

The Code converter ad the MCL Beolab kit can be used in parralel as I read, and that is what is shown on a drawing in the code converter manual. This way the main room can be controlled with a Beolink 1000 and the link rooms will still use the relevant remote intended for the Beomaster.

I have tried to isolate the code converter part and the MCL Beolab kit part here with the code converter in the red box. The green line indicates a connection to MCL rooms when the code converter is not used.

Hope this makes sense.

I might try to hook up a MCL82 link room unit and the MCL-Beolab kit with a LED connected to see if remote commands are passed through to the LED.

 

 

 

 

[Madskp]

Just did a wire up of a MCL82 box with IR tranceiver and the MCL-Beolab kit.

I set the jumper in the MCL-Beolab kit to 8V as the other option of 5V did not give enough power to the MCL82, so also the role of the MCL-Beolab kit is to power the MCL network. As I only have a Terminal 5000 remote i set the switches in the MCL82 to Beomaster 5000

So what I can do is to activate the speaker relay in the MCL82 box with the speaker button on the tranceiver so the relay part is working. With the remote all buttons except mut seems to active the relay to active, and the mute button will turn the relay to inactive.

On the MCL-Beolab Kit I can measure that the data signal from the MCL82 is dropping in voltage when a button is pressed, and also on the pins for the IR diode I can see a little drop in voltage when a button is pressed, so it is probably working.

I wonder why all button presses except mute makes the speaker realy go active but of course the terminal 5000 remote was not intended for use with the Beolab MCL kit, so with the right data connection to a Beomaster 5000 it might react different.

I do not have anymore ideas for testing it right now as I do not have any of the other remote types and/or music systems for this to work with. I still have it wired up so can try to test something if you have any ideas

[Glitch]

Thanks for the explanations. They make sense to me.

Madskp wrote:

I think it is actually a 2.5mm jack and probably only with two pins (I will look further into that). I do no have that much knowledge about IR emitters, if they have to be for a certain frequency. The Code converter manual mentions a cable with mini plug and a blue LED.

I would expect that certain IR wavelengths would make it easier for the receiver to pick up the signal. At point blank range, there is likely enough “bleed through” or overlap for not perfectly matched parts to still work. I recall reading the B&O had issues with sunlight falsely triggering some systems and having to all physical light filters. I don’t remember what systems were affected, but removing any filters for testing might help. The blue LED comment doesn’t make sense to me since this is at the wrong end of the light spectrum. Unless blue was used as a indicator for a human to see the activity without interfering with the IR.

Madskp wrote:

The MCL Beolab Kit is used to get data control signals from MCL82 or MCL30 link rooms into a BM8000 or BM6000 as none of them have the MCL data connection.

I’m glad to see your picture of the MCL Beolab Kit. I’ve read about it but have never seen one for sale. Maybe the lack of labeling on the box is a factor in this. People might not have a clue what the box is and just toss them out of frustration. Maybe I need to expand my eBay searches to include “unmarked B&O black box”. 😉

I’ve also wondered if it would be possible to bypass the IR stages and hack the MCL signal directly into a BM8000/6000, possibly on the REMOTE pin of the CPU.

Madskp wrote:

Just did a wire up of a MCL82 box with IR tranceiver and the MCL-Beolab kit.

Interesting test. Have you considered hooking up a oscilloscope and comparing any of the signals to the code tables in the service manuals?

Madskp wrote:

I do not have anymore ideas for testing it right now as I do not have any of the other remote types and/or music systems for this to work with. I still have it wired up so can try to test something if you have any ideas

I’m in a similar situation with having some, but not all that is needed to run a good test.

I think that I’m getting motivated enough to buy a Beomaster 5000 and MCP5000 for test purposes. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done something like this where the tail is wagging the dog. My Beosystem 5500 stack started with a MCP5500 that was tossed in (for free) in a equipment bundle. The funny thing is that after completing the stack, the original MCP5500 was swapped out for one in better cosmetic condition. Yes, it is a sickness.

Glitch

p.s. I’m jealous of your pile of cables. 😉

• This reply was modified 22 hours, 20 minutes ago by Glitch.

[Madskp]

Glitch wrote:

I would expect that certain IR wavelengths would make it easier for the receiver to pick up the signal. At point blank range, there is likely enough “bleed through” or overlap for not perfectly matched parts to still work. I recall reading the B&O had issues with sunlight falsely triggering some systems and having to all physical light filters. I don’t remember what systems were affected, but removing any filters for testing might help. The blue LED comment doesn’t make sense to me since this is at the wrong end of the light spectrum. Unless blue was used as a indicator for a human to see the activity without interfering with the IR.

Thinking of it I think I saw a picture of the IR emitter at one point and it was encapsuled in a little black box. Maybe it has a window with blue glass on one side.

Glitch wrote:

Maybe I need to expand my eBay searches to include “unmarked B&O black box”. 😉

Oh yeas that could be a lottery ticket. However without markings most Ebay sellers might not even know its B&O.

Glitch wrote:

Interesting test. Have you considered hooking up a oscilloscope and comparing any of the signals to the code tables in the service manuals?

I do not have an oscilloscope, so no go there.

Glitch wrote:

I’m in a similar situation with having some, but not all that is needed to run a good test.

I might be willing to sell the MCL Beolab kit to you if you can find use of it, and judging by some of your threads, you have some BM6000 and BM8000 so a lot better basis for use of it than me. PM me and I am sure we can find out something.

Glitch wrote:

I think that I’m getting motivated enough to buy a Beomaster 5000 and MCP5000 for test purposes. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done something like this where the tail is wagging the dog.

I am also considering getting a Beosystem 5000 (I already have a Beocord 5000 and a CD50) and try to use a MCL82 link room with that.

Glitch wrote:

Yes, it is a sickness.

Indeed 🙂 thats why we have our little therapy group here at Beoworld

 

Glitch wrote:

p.s. I’m jealous of your pile of cables. 😉

yeah always good to have something for all connection needs

 

 

 

 

[Madskp]

One extra thought. I have not come across any any info on how the code switches in the MCL82 should be set if it is used with a Beomaster 8000, but it might be in a manual for the MCL-Beolab kit if that is to be found anywhere.

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