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Topic: Replaced the bulb but screen still dark

Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-21-2004 09:49 AM

I have to respect Richard's hesitancy to do the alignment right away.

He hasn't done it before so he's going to need some time to read the manual and study the equipment. Doing such an alignment on a (potentially) busy Friday night when you're not 100% sure of yourself could have disastrous results.

I, myself, would certainly do the job right away because I've done it before. The same goes for most people here. Richard doesn't have that advantage.

The lamphouse is running in a nominally OK state as it is. Assuming he checks the ammeter to make sure the lamp is getting the right current, there's no reason why things won't keep for another day or two.

It's better to take some time to think about the situation than it is to rush right in and risk making a mistake.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-21-2004 08:29 PM

Be carefull and it would probably best if your field service engineer showed you the correct proceedure for your lamphouse
A misfocused lamphouse can damage film and the reflector as well

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Gerard S. Cohen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 975
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 05-22-2004 02:04 PM

Long ago I had a similar problem as Richard Greco when I pulled a temp at an uptown Broadway twin.

While the screen image upstairs was bright, downstairs the screen was so dim I felt I had to brighten it before the audience reacted. I tried all the suggestions given in this thread regarding amperage, lamp alignment and focus, and even cleaned the port glass and lens, all without noticeable effect.

This puzzled me, since the equipment and throw were similar in both auditoriums. In desperation I called one of the regular projectionists who reassured me it was not my fault.

Seems the upper screen was new, while that in the lower auditorium had turned brown from decades of tobacco smoke! The situation was not remedied until the theatre was upgraded to a triplex, when the screen was replaced.

Sometimes a cause can be so obvious we don't see it.

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Greg Mueller
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1687
From: Port Gamble, WA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-24-2004 09:44 AM

Sounds like your lamphouse is misaligned. Here's a simple tutoral on lamphouse alignment.

http://www.muellersatomics.com/alignotron.htm

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