I have wanted an AVL for quite some time and have found AVL a 1987 Compu-dobby 1 that was donated to a church in 1998. They have never been able to get it running. I went to see it, and it is missing a few loom parts (brake parts, fabric beam counter-weight wood run on the side - not too bad). However the compu-dobby has a big dent just beneath the fuse cover, no red light goes on when plugged in, no solenoid action, nothing.
So, took pics, measurements, chatted with the folks who hung around during my inspection. Got the feeling that this AVL was “taking up space”, never worked”, “They can’t understand computers” and the like.
Went home and called AVL. Spoke to Bob Kruger. Gave him the serial #. He recalled it on his database. Yes it’s a 16S 60” Production Compu-dobby1. Originally shipped with fly shuttle race (not on loom I saw) and both the mechanical dobby system (not seen) and the compu dobby1.
Compudobby1 circuitry is “obsolete”. If there is a circuit issue AVL cannot fix it. Yes, it could be a fuse. Yes the bump could have blown the fuse - but it could also has jostled the old soldered circuitry. The mother board is located just above the fuse panel which is just above the fuse slot and giant bump in the dobby box.
He has “hundreds” of compudobby1’s still in service. Maybe it’s a fuse, but if not - a compudobby4 is $3500.00. yes it will work on this loom. (which also needs a few bits and bobs that are missing).
Dear friends - this is not straight forward is it? I’m contemplating offering them $200.00 for the loom. It won’t weave so useless to them. If I can hack it and get it running - well kudo’s for me. But if I can’t it’s a ~$4000 investment to get it weaving. Cheaper than new but a bigger hassle so what would you advise?
Thanks for anything you can share here.