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Author Topic: Frankensteins Platter Lives! Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-30-2008 06:57 PM                     The static issue has long been settled with Kodak's new stock. Brain wrapping is mainly due to operator error, or equipment failure. ..most of which, I've seen, is with those damnable STRONG microswitch brains where the microswitch will fail without any warning - even if new switches were replaced within a few months. Also with the STRONG brains is that-before an operator laces through the payout arm, they manage to get a loop of film wrapped around one of the plate's outer circumference rollers and not catch this on startup. This keeps the payout arm open and you can get a good 3 inch "beehive" backwrap around the brain. Another operator error is on the older A-3 units that have the rotary control switch and the operator forgets to put the feed platter selector on 'Payout' and will leave the selector on 'Rewind' causing the platter to spin at a constant rate as the feed platter and an eventual backwrap is created. Other wrap issues that comes with STRONG platters is when the brushes in the motor have reached their service limit causing the motor to slow down (or even stop) on payout and then a wrap is created on this event. Christies - it's practically all motor card or sensor adjustment issues why these units will wrap from time to time.. AW-2's .. module or even grumpy feed finger springs giving fits once in a while ..or even the Bodine motor brushes - being that these units used reduction transmissions to run that drive tire. SPECO's were that magnetic reed switch under the brain in the platter arm that'll give fits once in a while, but that can be easily adjusted out with the adjustment of the magnet above it which is attached to the brain itself. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-30-2008 07:13 PM                     Post the manual for the horizon platter here so that maybe we can figure out the problem Years ago we worked on a chineese platter and the failure problem was the servo pot which we replaced with a NTE one and never haad another issue  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 12-31-2008 12:30 AM                        I'll Try and get that for you guys. Just a quick question though. When I get it in my computer as a PDF where do I go to upload it to this site?  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-31-2008 01:04 AM                     If you goto the Horizon site, follow the instructions below on how to do do the URL insertion in this reply box like this example : 1- Go to this page 2- find the link that has the PDF file that you want to send. 3- highlight the link in the address box of this webpage and then right click to COPY 4- come back to this Film-Tech page and open a new reply box. 5- Goto the "URL" tab below 6- In the script box, (you will see the "http:// already in the box. Clear that out then put the cursor in the box then right click to PASTE that URL in this dialog box, then click OK) is where you put the URL of your choice. 7- In the description box, add what description you wish, then click "OK" All the information will be in your reply box. Then you can add anything afterwards in comment. In your reply box, if you right click the highlighted description, a dialog box will open and you go all the way down to "properties" and open that tab. Then, you'll see the link attached to that highlighted descripton. Like with mine - right click on it and the dialog box will show - http://horizonprojection.com as the properties of this highlighted link. Good luck - Monte  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 01-01-2009 12:49 AM                        Thank you but unfortunately I am not linking to a web site but trying to upload a PDF off my own computer. Will the same process work or do I upload the PDF file from my computer to Film-tech in some other manner?  |  IP: Logged Adam Martin I'm not even gonna point out the irony. Posts: 3686 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-01-2009 12:56 AM                     You can email it to me and I will post it for you.  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 01-01-2009 12:25 PM                        Thank you Adam it is on it's way.  |  IP: Logged Adam Martin I'm not even gonna point out the irony. Posts: 3686 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-01-2009 01:25 PM                     Linky linky  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 01-01-2009 06:01 PM                     Sorry on the misunderstanding, but a question: Wonder how these platters hold up in duration using graphite as their axle lubrication?  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 01-02-2009 12:12 AM                        Well I have never had to grease the buggers if that is what your asking. I have and to go in and clean up some of the residue as the graphite squeezes out but otherwise they still spin fine mind you we have only had them for close to three years now.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-02-2009 09:50 AM                     My suspision is that it is the optical sensor based on the manual have you tried the complete speed set up procedure in the manual and remember that the max and min controls interact after adjusting check that there is a smooth speed range as the roller is slid up and down It appears that the "optical fence" which appears to be a wedged shaped plate behind the roller assembly maybe exposed and extranious light might get into to it regretably the manual is a bit vague on its construction  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 01-02-2009 03:22 PM                     He'd still be better off replacing that junk with the used AW3's in the Equipment for sale thread. I got a headache trying to read that poorly translated manual. And any equipment that uses most of the first page of the manual crowing about how great it is usually means it isn't.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-02-2009 06:10 PM                     I doubt if it is up to him to replace it  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 01-03-2009 02:50 AM                        Gordon... How right you are... The first thing I tried when the problem initially occurred was adjusting the speed controls but this had no affect as it seemed that the take up was bypassing the optical sensor somehow. My thought is some crossed connection in the wiring somewhere. Regrettably the maintenance hatch has been open and missing for the last year plus since someone thought they may have to get to the optical sensor in a hurry. The connection on those buggers is notorious for coming loose and when it shifts the take up platter no longer spins. simply "jiggling" the wire or reseating the connection gets it running in no time. One projectionist before me even tried zip tying the little buggers in place but that only put off the inevitable. Just recently I observed the electronics doing something rather strange. While switching a platter from normal to MUT control one of the wires to the switch popped off. Yes they were soldered on but enough current hit it during the switching process to melt the solder and break the connection. After examining the sensors on a few of our dead Platters not only did I find more evidence of this on some switches but the trace on the backs of some of the Optical sensors had blown away and the previous Projectionist soldered back on his own connection using a bit of wire to gap the prongs. Talk about ghetto... Right now I think we have a bigger power issue to solve as these things are getting too much juice. Or are drawing to much for their own good. I just don't know... In the mean time I am keeping things together as best I can in hopes one day (soon) they will either get a real tech to come out or just Buy new/used Platters to replace this junk. Tony, From your mouth to gods Ear! If you guys think of anything else let me know I appreciate all the help I can get and all that I have gotten. P.S. Thank you Adam for the linky. Again Cheers!!!  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 01-03-2009 09:37 AM                        If the tech has too much travel, it will be just as cheap to replace AND that gives a guaranteed result. Myself, I would not get involved since repair will end up being "experimental" unless it is completely redesigned. and that costs too much even if performed in the shop. I only deal in guaranteed results. Louis  |  IP: Logged

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