Allen ADC-4300DK - Two Maintenance Questions

[Guest]

Hello all -

Please bear with a neophyte - I'm actually clergyperson with a fair amount of musical knowledge, but little ability to play - but can definitely handle the electronic end of things!

We have an Allen ADC-4300DK, that is, for the most part, performing quite well. We have to issues - one with the Stop Capture Memory (needs battery replacement), and one with a cipher in the pedalboard.

My first question is asking members for personal preferences, the second is for suggestions.

1) I've read the details on the forum about replacing the batteries for the Stop-Capture Memory Card and the AV Board, and am quite comfortable doing this myself. In fact, I plan to do so in the next couple of days! When replacing the battery, has everyone pretty much stuck to NiCad replacements (à la the OEM specs), or has anyone replaced it with a NiMH or Li-Ion battery? (Since all that's needed is the 2.4 or 3.6V, and an equal or better mAh rating, there are plenty of options!) If so, what have been your results?

I'll be moving both batteries to the floor, based on prior suggestions.

2) We have an intermittent cipher on the central E on the pedalboard. Allen previously made a service call for the same issue, and had us place the organ on shims, and then later on planks, which fixed the cipher for a while. But it's back. Any suggestions on fixes before we call them in? We're in the New York City area, so if anyone knows of another repair company other than the factory (perhaps an Allen employee who has struck out on their own) let me know - referrals are welcome.

Thanks for your help!

David

[arie v]

David,

I do some service on Allen organs, and have come across both problems.

1) I have replaced these batteries with similar Ni-cads as the originals, but I do not butt them up against the circuit board when soldering them in. That way if they do leak battery acid, it doesn't leak onto the circuit board, and harm the board. Other folks wire in a remote set of 3 batteries (like a cordless phone pak of ni-cad or Ni-MH). I believe Ni-Cads and NiMH batteries work on similar charging circuits. The key really is, to replace the batteries at least every 5 years, but most people forget until the batteries are completely finished.

2) On Allen organ the pedal switch rail is in the console, and can be height adjusted. If all the switches work fine but one, it is best to adjust the single one, or replace it. Magnetic reed switches do fail, or partially fail sometimes. Usually due to the glass cracking or breaking and the hermetic seal being lost. Best to replace it.

AV

[OrgansR4Me]

I was able to purchase my last Allen at a good price because of a pedal cipher. A little patience and sometimes several attempts at alignment usually cures the problem. I think that was the idea behind the shim; however if the cipher has been coming back after a "fix" the alignment may be just too unstable and an internal repair would be in order.

[Guest]

Wonderful!

Thanks, all, for the advice. We've gone ahead and called for service on the cipher - now if the shop would only get back to us...

The battery replacement was successful - I ultimately decided to stay with the NiCad batteries - the price was right, and I felt better having something with the exact same current rating... I bought some 20 gauge wire, soldered it to both the AV card and the Capture card, and routed both batteries to the floor of the console. On the floor, joined the batteries to the wire with a splice sealed by wiring caps to make future replacement a breeze... and no problems... but I haven't been quite as nervous as I was soldering those pieces in for a long time!


Thank you all for your wonderful advice!

[myorgan]

Forgive me for hijacking this thread, but my ADC-4300DKC has a simliar, but different pedal problem. Toward the center of the pedalboard, the pedals "bounce," thereby causing the note to repeat when I let go of it. I'm thinking it's a height adjustment on the pedalboard, and have wadded up a paper towel and put it in the U-shaped divet on the left-hand side of the pedalboard where it connects to the console. I have also tightened the springs a little, but that doesn't get rid of the bounce.

Ideas, anyone?

Also, on the ADC-6000, I have lost one of the gliders on the console in one of the many moves it has made. Allen doesn't seem to have any of them, my repair person doesn't have any and suggested going to a hardware store, but they don't sell the gliders that are 1.5" in diameter. Ideas for replacing that?

Thanks in advance.

Michael

[Menschenstimme]

You might contact a custom furniture builder or a store that sells high-end furniture.

[myorgan]

You might contact a custom furniture builder or a store that sells high-end furniture.

To fix the pedals? I'm confused! :-\

[michaelhoddy]

He's talking about the gliders for the ADC-6000...

[don60]

Forgive me for hijacking this thread, but my ADC-4300DKC has a simliar, but different pedal problem. Toward the center of the pedalboard, the pedals "bounce," thereby causing the note to repeat when I let go of it. I'm thinking it's a height adjustment on the pedalboard, and have wadded up a paper towel and put it in the U-shaped divet on the left-hand side of the pedalboard where it connects to the console. I have also tightened the springs a little, but that doesn't get rid of the bounce.

Ideas, anyone?

Also, on the ADC-6000, I have lost one of the gliders on the console in one of the many moves it has made. Allen doesn't seem to have any of them, my repair person doesn't have any and suggested going to a hardware store, but they don't sell the gliders that are 1.5" in diameter. Ideas for replacing that?

Thanks in advance.

Michael

ADC 4300: Have you tried adjusting the plate that contains the reed switches? Once the console and pedalboard are properly lined up, this adjustment should take care of any remaining misalignment. I do not believe that Allen intended us to have to stuff paper towels into the mechanisms!

ADC 6000: A place called All Glides on the Web has the nail-on metal base glides in 1 1/4"diameter. Maybe those would be sufficient. I would replace all four unless you find an exact duplicate just so the console remains level. You don't want another pedal-alignment problem on this one.

[myorgan]

Don,

Thank you for your information. I'll look up the place you mentioned on the web. RE the 4300, I'm trying not to monkey with the contact strip that contains the reed switches until I've exhauseted all other options. Once those reed switches get out of alignment, they can be a bear to fix. I know only because I tried that once--and never will again!:-|

Again, thanks for the suggestions.

Michael