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Author Topic: DTS reader light blinks irregularly Brian Hogan Expert Film Handler Posts: 119 From: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Registered: Jul 2001 posted 08-24-2005 05:54 PM                     any ideas on how to unscrew those screws on the front panel of the reader head if they are stripped? im tryin to recheck my voltage and i get no grip with the key when i try to unscrew them. seems the service tech went a bit nuts the last time he was here on them.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-24-2005 07:57 PM                     I have a reverse helix set of drill bits that I use for that sort of problem. They're made by Greenlee. Just drilling them out is another option and then there is enough screw thread left that you can unscrew them with a small pair of nippers. If you run the drill place the reader cover screws in a down position so the metal shavings fall away from the reader and not into it. Replpacing themm with regular 4-40 alllen screws is a good idea since the hex is deeper and doesn't strip out nearly as easily. Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 08-24-2005 09:51 PM                     Mark, it isn't necessarily the cost of the part but the time it takes to change the part. I haven't done a DTS reader but some LEDs seem to be installed with the thought of never changing them. Perhaps it would have been better if they redesigned their reader to have a better guidance system...a flywheel and an easy to get to LED.  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 08-24-2005 10:06 PM                     I don't remember, these are allen screws? If so, a good trick if to try nearby metric sizes, as well as to try Torx sizes. Because the torx wrench is tapered, it will fit into odd-sized hex holes and bite. This is not terribly repeatable -- if you get it out, don't put it back. And not the best thing in the world for your torx wrench, though if you're careful it's not a big deal. --jhawk  |  IP: Logged William Hooper Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1879 From: Mobile, AL USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-25-2005 02:51 AM                        In a rush, you can find a screw extractor (a.k.a. 'easy-out') at an auto parts store. They're sold in various sizes.  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 08-25-2005 03:26 AM                     err.... If you think you're going to use a screw extractor correctly on the first try, and in a rush, well, think again. They end up being insanely persnickety and tricky. Find some piece of scrap to practice on. And don't vary from the recommended pilot drill size unless you absolutely have to. --jhawk  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-25-2005 09:23 AM                     quote: Steve Guttag Mark, it isn't necessarily the cost of the part but the time it takes to change the part. I haven't done a DTS reader but some LEDs seem to be installed with the thought of never changing them. Perhaps it would have been better if they redesigned their reader to have a better guidance system...a flywheel and an easy to get to LED. The LED'S are siliconed in place and extracting that stuff with an ex-accto knife is an easy thing. What is a 90 min replacement time for me is a ripoff at 250.00 from DTS. I've done two of them now and after a couple of more replacements I may be able to get it down too an hour. Don't forget that I'm also adding a 10 turn pot to be able to adjust the LED current and replacing the LED. The LED I use will also outlast theirs by about a factor of 20. Yes, the TC reader SHOULD be re-designed for sure.... it is and was a poor design from day one. quote: William Hooper In a rush, you can find a screw extractor (a.k.a. 'easy-out') at an auto parts store. They're sold in various sizes. Actually using an extractor below about 10/32 in size is a waste of time. Typically the extractor is so weak that it also snaps off.... and then you need to drill a pilot hole in hardened material..... not easy when its that small. Best thing is to just drill off the round head of the allen screw... then there is about .060 left that you can grab with a small pair of nippers and just unscrew it. For what ever reason those black oxide screws like to stick to the black aanodize and can sometimes be a pain to get loose. Just don't do this whith the reader in position on the projector and keep any particles from going inside the reader. Mark  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 08-27-2005 05:16 AM                        quote: Mark Gulbrandsen What is a 90 min replacement time for me is a ripoff at 250.00 from DTS. But Mark, isn't your hourly rate $400?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-27-2005 07:48 PM                     No, We only charge that rate for platter motor repairs that come in from California .... The rest of the States get billed at 65.00 per hour...... Mark  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 08-28-2005 05:50 AM                        Knowing now that this is a problem, those of us who have screws that aren't yet stripped would be smart to replace them with regular philips or even good quality hardened slot or philips screws. Preventative maintenance.  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 08-29-2005 01:40 AM                    A new twist...what if you have one stripped out screw and there is NO room to get even a screwdriver size tool in there to remove it? Some of our units are placed so close to the wall, that an allen wrench BARELY fits. I know we can move the projector back...but seriously, theres gotta be another way.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-29-2005 04:27 AM                     Try removing the reader off its mount atop the projector!!  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 08-29-2005 04:31 AM                     yea..two phillips screws, undo the data cable with a small flatblade screwdriver and it'll plop in your hands....(just remember which two mounting holes that were used that mounted that reader...) -monte  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-29-2005 10:10 AM                     I would never replace an allen screw head with a phillips since they are more prone to stripping Also the allens are cap head  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-29-2005 08:51 PM                     Yes, If you just replace them with standard grade allen screws, not the factory cap style you will find the hex part of the standard screws more durable because its deeper than it is on a cap screw. when we do the LED replacement we also replace those cap screws!! Mark  |  IP: Logged

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