Slowdown on replica project until the real 1130 is restored

After discovering an 1130 system available for purchase in Kansas, I brought it back and am in the process of restoring it to operation. The retrieval and restoration effort is being documented in another blog - 1130 rescue mission

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UPDATE Oct 25: The 1131 is working, as is its keyboard and console printer (typewriter). The keypunch is working.  The card reader and printer are partly restored, already partly operational.
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When I restore each of the units, I can move it out to the large new shed outside that will be the permanent data center where the system will run. It will need to position the machines closer together than normally would be done, thus the doors and swing out gates of electronics can't be fully opened until I push boxes around on their rollers to get into whatever needs service. In normal operation, however, there will be enough room to move around and operate the system.

The 1130 system in the shed is compromised of:
  • an expanded storage version of the main unit (1131) - 7' 6" wide by 2' 6" deep
  • a 1442 card reader/punch
  • an 1132 line printer
  • an additional disk drive (CHI 1105)
  • an 029 keypunch machine
Once the system itself is up and working, I hope to interface some of the peripherals that will also be used with the 1130 replica:

  • paper tape reader (appears to be IBM 1134)
  • paper tape punch (appears as an IBM 1055)
  • plotter (appears as an IBM 1627)
  • RK-05 drives as additional disk drives (appear to be 2310)
  • HP line printer (appears to be faster and less compute intensive 1403)
  • Documation card reader (appears to be less compute intensive 2501)
  • tape drive (will be custom device)

I will document the inspection and restoration of the real 1130 on this blog, as well as resuming my replica activities after the system is out in its 'data center' shed. The replica will be more reliable, use far less power, and be more portable to bring to events such as the November 30 parties (11/30 in US formatted dates) that have been hosted by Brian Knittel and Norm Aleks in past years.

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