Date   : Fri, 18 May 1990 05:18:41 GMT
From   : rti!jb@mcnc.org (Jeff Bartlett)
Subject: File xfer? Xerox 820-2

In article <ee89e4c90e2226450904@canremote.uucp>, scott.gregory@canremote.uucp
(SCOTT GREGORY) writes:
> I recently acquired a Xerox 820-II with eight inch floppy drives.  ...
> ....  I know that these drives spin constantly and am wondering if there
> is a way/circuit to stop it, ie. to have them spin up only when accessing.
> I saw something to this effect recently posted from an old Microcornucopia
> (sp?) magasine, but wonder if anyone here has done the same or has a MC
> magasine from 1975 that they could look up. ......
> 
>                                         Scott Gregory
>                                         scott.gregory@canremote.uucp

Well,
    The one I now own (bought it from a co-worker) has a board in it
    that stops the disks from spinning after about 30 seconds of idle time.

    It is a "Disk Control Unit" from

       Optronics Technology
       PO Box 81
       Pittsford N.Y. 14534
       (716) 377 0369

    The kit assembly manual/leaflet is copyright 1983 and says:

       "5. Compatible with all popular 8" drives, standard CP/M and
       other operating systems."

       "7. Auxillary input provided for use on the Ferguson Big Board
       or other systems which provide disk on-off signal."

    Circuit contains a 555 timer, opto-isolator, triac, etc.

    The manual gives the sequence of operations for soldering the parts
    into the board and splicing into the 820's wiring.

    You could try contacting them or you might find one in some other
    piece of equipment.

Jeff Bartlett, Research Engineer
Center for Digital Systems Research
Research Triangle Institute    jb@rti.rti.org      ... mcnc!rti!jb