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Tjorven wrote:

Could maybe soak the spindle in WD-40 and hope for the best

Something like WD-40 should be used as a (very) last resort. Try heat instead (carefully). A hair dryer might be enough. Also, try to pull perfectly straight. Any tilting could case it to bind.

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quattttro wrote:

What kind of modernization were you thinking?

Anything from duplicating the basic stock functionality (on a modern CPU) to something that would operate similar to a Sonus device.

I’ve already started on creating a two-way, RF-based remote control.

I’m curious about what what kind of functionality that others would consider important. Integration into modern B&O networks? Integration into other networks (Matter, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, etc.)? Would anyone even bother with the BeoSystem 6000 generation of equipment if it was updated?

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Thank you for the links.

I did a quick search but didn’t notice any follow-ups after the initial thread (a year ago). I wonder how much interest that there is in modernizing equipment of this era.

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artig wrote:

I meant if anyone who can write 3870 assembler code and wants to re-create the functionality of the original program, as you are doing with a modern processor, then the piggyback CPU would be available.

Anyone that would want to do that is far more hardcore than me. I did that kind of stuff back in the early eighties. I don’t think I’ve ever nostalgically reminisced about those times, thinking of them as the “good ‘ol days”  ;-).

When I was writing the re-CPU software, I kept thinking to myself that it would have taken months to write the assembly code that I was able to crank out in a few days in a high-level language.

artig wrote:

BTW someone else has already been through the process of making a plug-in replacement for the CPU, using a PIC processor. It would be good to see a pooling or resources for anyone else who might be interested in reviving a BM6000.

I wasn’t aware that anyone did a re-CPU of a BM6000. I read of a guy that did a re-CPU(s) of a BM8000. I think he based that on PICs. The thread was titled something like “BM8000 brain transplant”.

Do you have any links to the BM6000 PIC project?

I don’t think that I would be able to do what I planned with a PIC. Every time I revisit the “wish list” for the project, I feel the need to use a more powerful processor.

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I might be interested in the CPU(s). It is not clear to me what you mean by “rewriting the original program”. Can you elaborate more about what you were thinking?

I’ve already started a project to re-CPU my broken BM6000. I’ve built a rough prototype with a modern CPU. I’ve written software to perform the basic functionality (i.e. buttons, displays, volume, FM, etc.). This software also includes main board debug capability. I was working on adding remote control communication and Datalink communication when I got sidetracked by other projects.

I then got another “parts” BM6000 which had a broken volume motor. I scavenged the motor from the BM6000 with the bad CPU to fix the “parts” machine. This pushed my re-CPU project from the back-burner to off-the-stove.

Re-CPU-ing the receiver opens up many possibilities to integrate the BeoSystem 6000 with modern audio networks. I have a dozen or so ideas so far. I have even implemented a couple of them on my prototype setup. I hope to get back to this project someday. I’ll need to find a replacement volume motor to make my prototype bench viable again. Do you happen to have a spare volume motor?

I’ve also been toying around with a more ambitious BM6000 project than the re-CPU one. I wouldn’t need a volume motor for this, but it would take significantly more resources to complete.

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The extra wires are most likely used for signaling (turning on the Penta amps) and data for the displays. My best guess is that you currently have either one or the other working. A four pin cable may enable full Speakerlink capability. Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what that entails and if the version of the Pentas (1, 2, or 3) makes a difference.

Hopefully my answer will hold you over until someone more knowledgeable replies. It may be helpful for others if you provide the “type numbers” of your particular equipment.

In general, if you are happy with how your system is working, you don’t “need” new cables. You might get some added functionality if you do upgrade cables.

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I am a relative newcomer here (~6 months) and not a “paying” member, so I’m not sure if my comments will carry any weight. I’ll post anyway since it might provide an alternative point of view…

I considered paying for a membership but ultimately decided against it. My impression is that the membership provides three things: 1) Entry in the prize draw, 2) Access to the manual scans, and 3) a “rank moniker” by my user information. I’ll address these in reverse order…

3) Titles don’t mean much to me so this wasn’t a consideration.

2) Access to the manuals was my primary consideration. However, it is not clear what is in the Beoworld manual library and if it any different than what is available (for free) elsewhere. I considered paying for a membership just to see what is there, but decided not to, mostly because I prefer original paper manuals. The library would provide some benefit even if I plan to purchase a paper copy. It would show what is included in the manual (i.e. full adjustment procedures versus just a schematic) before purchasing. The other use I have for the manual library is to be able to reference a manual (for equipment/manuls that I don’t own) in an attempt to help other members debug their equipment. Perhaps as part of the “membership sales pitch webpage” there could be listing of the available manuals and an example of the scan quality.

3) The prize draw was actually detrimental to my decision to buy a membership. When I researched the prize draw it seemed suspicious. It seemed to be “too good to be true”. The prizes were too nice and too numerous. It also seemed that “the regulars” were winning a disproportionate percentage of the prizes. There seemed to be a “good ‘ol boy club” vibe to it.  I wondered if the silver member’s fees were being used to subsidize the gold member’s prizes. Lee’s post at the start of this thread did a lot to explain my misguided observations. The quantity and quality of the prizes were due to Lee’s generosity in heavily subsidizing the draw. The familiarity of the winner’s names was due to the decrease in the number of gold members (i.e. most of remaining gold members are active, long term members). Regardless of this epiphany, I hope that there remains an option (preferably anonymous) to support the core operation of the site independent of the prize draw.

I want to thank Lee, Ken, and any others that keep the site running. I know that it is a grueling, thankless job. I hope that I’m able to do my part by “paying back” those that helped me by helping others. My goal is to be able to “pay forward” with advice in case I need help sometime in the future.

I hope that people don’t lose sight of the idea that the site’s most valuable assets are the information in the posts and the camaraderie of the interaction with the other members.

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quattttro:  Have you made any more progress?

I revisited my BM6000 that doesn’t power-up properly. I was able get it to work with a known working good CPU from another BM6000. Now I’m very confident that the original CPU is bad. With the bad CPU, I observe two different (pseudo-random) behaviors when I plug-in the receiver.  The first is a “:.” display, the second is a “.” display with the main amp rail relay kicking in.

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trackbeo wrote:

The reverse shot shows another piece of equipment I don’t recognize, underneath the Cedric Hartman lamp (which I do recognize: oooh, lamps!-). (“View Image” in your browser to see full-size.) Maybe a mixer, thus this is the mansion’s “music room”?

That looks like a guitar amp. Maybe a Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt 1×12″ Guitar Combo?

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chilibt wrote:

Any suggestions what to look at next?

Check for cracked traces here.

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filip_kbh wrote:

can you tell me where the “lower display connectors” are found? Do you mean in the lower board of the two, or is it found in another place than where the displays are mounted?

A better description of the location is on the bottom cover of the speaker. This cover is the access point to the crossovers. There is a round 8 (or 9?) pin connector on it. You will see the wire connections that I’m talking about if you remove the bottom plate.

On my Pentas, the wires are small and don’t have any strain relief. The other end of the cable (by the displays) has a better connection (crimped versus soldered)

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It is good to hear that the main problem was an easy fix ;-).

It is normal for the two BF858 transistors to run a bit warm. Based on the discoloration on your circuit board it looks like the amp was pushed pretty hard at some point.

I don’t use the displays on my Pentas, but I have noticed that the wires on the lower display connectors have a tendency to break.

Hopefully fixing the displays will also be easy for you…

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I assume it worked before the recap?

Post some pictures of the top and bottoms of your boards. Someone might be able to spot the problem visually.

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I removed my response since I really didn’t answer the question. Hemenex’s reply below makes more sense.

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Regarding the 14.7v instead of 15v… Check that the heat sink compound isn’t dried up. Otherwise, the regulator is likely just “off a bit”. Swapping it with a new one is a easy job and the part is commonly available (but probably isn’t needed).

I believe that the “P” display in this case just means that the CPU board is getting 6.5v to the LED displays, but the CPU isn’t pulling up the FAULT line. Getting a “P” is pretty easy. For example, there will be a “P” display if the CPU is removed. I think a “P” can also be an indication of a genuine fault in the main amp.

I mentioned the second 5v supply because it was the most recent cause of a “:.” display on my machine. I was testing pre-scalers chips and I bumped TR1 or TR2 and opened up a cold solder joint that killed the secondary 5v supply. I was pretty nervous for a while since I thought I might have damaged the CPU while swapping chips.

It is interesting that your 50/60 signal has the same blip. I’m not sure why this happens. I think I decreased my blip by changing 16TR4.

I’m not sure what to suggest next. Are you sure that you aren’t just “looking at it the wrong way”? Sometimes it seems that “looking at it the wrong way” is all it takes to break it. 😉

Let me know if there are any other signals that I can check on my working BM6000 for you to use as a reference. I should have one one of them on the bench in a few days to replace a burned-out bulb.

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I had to go back and check my notes…   There is a good chance that the Standby pin is setup/initialized at the same time as the 50/60Hz pin.  So whatever is keeping one of them from working is likely keeping other ones from working.

Are you sure that BOTH +5v power supplies on the CPU board are close to 5v?

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I understand that desperate feeling…

14.7v seems to be a bit low, but not so much that I would expect it to cause a problem.

It is a fully regulated voltage so I would expect it to be closer to 15.0v. A quick test to see is something is dragging it down would be to pull P42 and measure the voltage on pin P42-5. The relative difference between no-load and loaded is of most interest.

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One of my BM6000’s has R27 present, it is “cut out” in the other two.

I don’t think that anything related to the motor control will stop the receiver from initializing.

You mentioned that the motor runs continuously… This is usually caused by a dirty initial volume slider or the motor control trim pots being out of adjustment/corroded. I believe that you can perform the Preset Volume Adjustment from the service manual without the CPU being fully initialized. I know it would bug the heck out of me if the motor was constantly spinning while I was trying to debug the other issues.

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The 50/60Hz signal is an example of the chicken/egg situation I was referring to earlier. It would be easy to interpret a missing square wave on the signal as the cause for the receiver not running. The lack of the signal could also be an effect of the CPU not setting up the I/O ports. The tricky part is figuring out if it is the cause or effect. In quattro’s case, my test provides a clue to what is going on. Another test that could be done is to add a pull-up resistor to +5v somewhere on the 50/60Hz signal circuit and verify that the signal works as expected.

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Both WD40 and Caig Laboratories (Deoxit) have a range of products being sold under their respective brand names. You are correct about using WD40 “classic” for pretty much anything electronics related. However, WD40 contact cleaner might actually be better than some on the Deoxit products that contain acid and leave a film.

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