This is topic Question on Strong A3 Platter system in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-22-2000, 04:50 PM:
Recently I replaced the old phase control boxes on the brains for our Strong A3 platters with new ones that stay in adjustment better. The old one were adjusted with a hex key and the new ones use the LED/Photo-cell combo. The new ones work great-except in one platter deck. This deck as always (at least as long as I've been working here) run a little "heavy." It seems to have a lot more drag than any other deck. Even when the clutch is disengaged it won't spin completely freely. The old brains could handle this pretty well but the new ones tend to spin too slowly in the beginning and then fine towards the middle and end. I have tried every adjustment possible to get the new phase control boxes to work on this deck to no avail.Any ideas? *looks at Pat*
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 07-22-2000, 05:01 PM:
Platter deck bearings are probably going bad. Also check motor speed adjustment and make sure the motor drive tire clears the deck when disengaged. Is the deck center post grease dried out/gunked up?
Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 07-22-2000, 07:10 PM:
*Looks at who?* Oh...
Anyway, I'd be surprised if the bearings on the platter itself are that caked up but it's worth a look as Ken suggests. More likely the motor adjustment is too high up against the platter disk. If it's up too tight, the platter runs slower and vice versa. The nominal adjustment is 3/8" clearance with the motor disengaged, but the best way is to "time" the platters.
Put a mark on one edge of each platter -- piece of masking tape, whatever. Use the make up table and run each platter at the same time in make-up mode to warm up -- not fast enough to blow a fuse, but maybe a normal running speed. Then reduce speed to a rate that's easy to count revolutions without getting dizzy. Chances are that the problem platter is the slowest one of the three. Lower that motor's position until it runs the same speed as the other platters. As long as they are all close in speed things should run well. Problem usually comes from one platter running too fast or slow compared to its mates.
Hope that helps, let me know...Pat
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-22-2000, 07:45 PM:
Thanks Pat, will try Sunday or Tuesday night and get back to you.