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Author Topic: What would cause a dowser to slowly slip down? Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 12-22-2005 11:34 PM                     There's supposed to be a ball bearing and tension spring beneath that adjustment screw. Too much tension and the solenoid won't be able to move the slide; too little and vibration can cause the slide to creep downward as you saw. The ball bearing might be missing. I've found a rubber pencil eraser makes a good substitute. [ 12-29-2005, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: Peter Mork ]  |  IP: Logged Robert Throop Master Film Handler Posts: 412 From: Vernon, NY USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-23-2005 02:36 AM                     Years ago I worked in a theatre with Zipper changeovers and the dowser suddenly started to creep closed after the house had been open for 5 years. Investigating I found that the hole had never been drilled in the brass tube for the ball bearing to ride on the armature. Essanay refused to do anything due to the time lapse. We replaced the coil and I threw the old one in my junk box. A couple of years ago, I dug it out, drilled a hole and used it to repair a burnt out coil. I have no idea why it took so long for that c.o. to start acting up. Bob  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 12-23-2005 05:07 AM                        quote: Aaron Sisemore FWIW, changeover=electric dowser. One and the same. Not necessarily. I worked with a pair of Ernemann VIIB back in Berlin which had dousers operated by a quicksilver pressure switch. Well, OK, those were from the 30s, but I just wanted to mention that.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-24-2005 09:30 AM                     quote: Aaron Sisemore FWIW, changeover=electric dowser. One and the same. There is also the 'hand dowser' that is the lever that cuts the light at the lanphouse snood. Aaron... Not completely the same. Many manufacturers offer electric dowsers on lamphouses and consoles so the dowser and changover are actually two completely different things and should be kept so. Mark  |  IP: Logged

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