How to open EL900 for service?

[pieanoman]

Can anyone tell me the procedure for opening the EL900 for service? I know how to open the EL70/90 series, but the EL900 has 19 screws with square washers where the EL90/70 only have 4. Does one need to remove all of them to flip up the entire main panel (including keyboards), or is the structure different in the ELX00 series? The service manual does not give a procedure (unlike the manual for EL90/70). Thanks in advance!

[pieanoman]

Andy, you can close this thread. Figured it out finally..:->

[andyg]

Before I do that, could you tell us what you did, it may help someone else if they need to open up a 900 or 700. Thanks, Andy

[pieanoman]

Sure. The EL900 is unlike the Electones in which the entire top panel flips up as a unit (containing all buttons, controls, and both manuals). The manuals in the EL900 are independent units that are bolted to the main base of the main unit; this is presumably due to the need for increased mechanical rigidity to enable horizontal touch to work.
To open the organ, one removes two screws with round washers that are found on the extreme left underside of the main unit (going through a heavy steel bracket). These two hold down the left side of the button panel. Then, on the right side of the main unit, one also removes one or two (can't remember right now) similar screws in a similar location. These release the panel on which are found the MDR controls and the main power switch. One now lifts that panel and pulls it toward the front of the organ. This reveals a hidden screw which holds down the right side of the button panel. Once that is removed, the button panel can be flipped up. As on other Electones, the "top panel" (the aluminum extrusion at the back of the main unit) should also be removed. One then lifts up the glass keyboard cover part way, and then swings up the button panel. There is a wire arm on the bottom of the left side of the button panel that can be swung down to hold up the button panel, and a screwdriver can be inserted into the hinge section of the keyboard cover to hold it in place (as on the EL90/70).

There is one other screw with a round washer somewhat inboard of the two on the left that must also be removed to free the flip-up button panel. It's over three inches long, which makes it easy to identify when removing it.

Once the button panel is up, one has access to the innards. The two manuals are each held in place from below by a large number of machine screws with square washers. The manuals can be removed individually. I still haven't figured out where to disconnect their cables yet.

I hope this procedure will be helpful to others. Andy, please feel free to move it to another section of the website if that is appropriate.

[andyg]

Many thanks, this is the best place for the detailed explanation, so I'll leave it here.