This is topic Gate Problems? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-19-2000, 07:10 PM:
I have heard that the Simplex Millennium projectors are having a gate problem. What I have heard was the gates are warping and "mushrooming" (whatever he meant by that, I don't know). Can anybody address this problem? I had Ballentyne Pro-35 gates warping over a long period of time, and I was able to correct that with a "WANG" or two with a 1/2" gas pipe. Beats buying a new part, especially if you are successful. I don't think you want to try this on a Simplex, though. You might wind up with a handful of peanuts. On a Ballentyne, what do you have to lose? But don't try it unless you have a backup part. 
I wonder if this is the same problem Simplex is having now. I hope not.
Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 12-20-2000, 07:43 AM:
Hi;
This is new to me. Any additional information out there? Warping or "mushrooming" I haven't heard of...Pat
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-20-2000, 09:21 AM:
How large of lamp are you useing. I have only seen warped trap assemblies with 3K and larger that didn't have auxillary cooling especially water
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-20-2000, 09:31 AM:
If the metal components of the gate (trap, rails) get so hot that you can't comfortably touch them 
, you really should be using a water-cooled gate. Also check the lamp-to-aperture distance and alignment/focus of the lamphouse to be sure you are not overfilling the gate area, and "spilling" lots of energy onto the gate components. Excessive heating will cause even metal to expand, which may "warp" components, or make them bind.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-20-2000, 09:46 AM:
Gordon and John, that theater is using X-90's, what size bulb I really don't know, as it is not one or ours. I heard is as a passing complaint. I was concerned about the complaint, just in case our chain plans some new construction. It is an indoor application, and I would guess (only a guess) they are using 2000, maybe 3000 watt bulbs. Maybe they were just running the bulb out of focus. Sometime ago, I installed 4 X-90's, and did not have any problems at all. I used 2000 watt bulbs.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-20-2000, 12:01 PM:
Pat, I'll do a little more detective work for you about the Simplex gates in that theater. They were in service for about a year and a half, and supposedly, it is happening to more than just one machine. It would not surprise me if I found out the bulbs were running so far out of focus that it is causing a major overheating of the gate parts. That theater chain is very tight-lipped, so it may be difficult to find out what is really going on with them. I'll send you a private email as to its location. Have a good Holiday Season.
Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 12-20-2000, 12:26 PM:
Thanks for the info Paul, now and in the future. There's an awful lot of Simplexes out there with the exact same Gate assembly running a lot more than 2000W, so I am curious.Happy Holidays to all!
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-20-2000, 06:03 PM:
Check the pumps to see that they are functioning properly. I've seen plenty stop for a variety of reasons.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-20-2000, 07:11 PM:
Ok, Gentlemen - The part that was supposedly mushrooming and warping was the P-4068 Pressure Pad Assy. The booth manager did not indicate any abnormalities of the P-10129 Plate and Stud Assy. When I asked him about the entire gate temperature, he indicated that it was warm, but not hot. (normal) (kinda eliminates bulb focus and deteriorating cold mirror). I asked him how easy was it to roll the machine forward by hand, he indicated very easy. (kinda eliminates excessive gate tension). I asked him if this mushrooming was the entire length of the pad rails, he said he did not know. (*Poof!*) Mushrooming, to me, is what a chizzle looks like when it was hit with a hammer a million times. I have not seen the part, but the booth manager did say that the service tech "made a note" of the abnormality.
Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 12-20-2000, 07:19 PM:
If you can hear the Film Guard sizzle when it hits the gate, it's to hot!------------------
Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-20-2000, 07:50 PM:
Greg, on that one!
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-21-2000, 10:31 AM:
I have about 30 Millenniums in my area. All running on Christie consoles. Most are either on 3K or 4K lamps but there are a couple on 6K. None of then seem to be having any problems with heat. None of them are water coloed, either.The bigger ones get a bit "warm" but they don't get so bad that you can't thread them again. I'll keep this in mind the next time I go to one of these locations. If I see any heat related problems I'll post.