Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Christe platters AW3 vs AW3R

This is topic Christe platters AW3 vs AW3R in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Keith Peticolas (Member # 971) on 09-22-2001, 05:05 PM:

Hello folks. Riddle me this, is there any difference between a Christe AW3 and AW3R, and if so will the tweaking platters section in the tips area work for both? Thanks.
keith p

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-22-2001, 05:10 PM:

AW3 is the fixed (Bolted down) brains, AW3R is removeable brains. Thats the only difference.

Aaron

Posted by Keith Peticolas (Member # 971) on 09-22-2001, 05:16 PM:

Thanks Aaron, good to know. Have a good one.
kp

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 09-22-2001, 10:07 PM:

Keith, the AW3, if you have an old manule that dates back to 1977,78 do not use the timing procedure, I found that version was wrong, I tried several years ago to timed the platters using that manule & was wrong, I talked to a friend who instructed me the correct way & been doing that since !! When I was at your theatre with Scott to do the retrofit, I didn't notice any manuals....but if you need any help on timing & adjusting the LED's, e-mail me at Dons@goucs.com & I will walk you though if you need it....

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-22-2001, 10:24 PM:

Use Brad's methods for timing. A little tweeking afterwards and things are SO MUCH BETTER. Ignore the Christie manual unless you enjoy picking up launched prints from the floor.

Aaron

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 09-23-2001, 01:36 PM:

I never had any problems with Christie's recommendations. It only seemed that everybody else did, but I was fine.

The only thing about Brad's way of timing them that leaves me somewhat worried, is releasing the tension on the feed-control fork. I still go into my old theatre (timed by Aaron, Brad's way) -- and I find the platters are still spinning once a film has tailed out. But I suppose that's a small quibble to have, but still.

Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 09-24-2001, 09:49 PM:

"Use Brad's methods for timing. A little tweeking afterwards and things are SO MUCH BETTER. Ignore the Christie manual unless you enjoy picking up launched prints from the floor."

Another thing about the Christie manuals that burned me was you could pick up 3 different manuals and get 3 different ways to do it.

OK, I'll byte what is "Brads way"

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-24-2001, 10:15 PM:

Scott/Aaron, if the platters are still turning at the end of a show, the spring tension is just a bit too loose. The arm should make it's way back to 0% when the film runs through.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-24-2001, 10:42 PM:

Freddie:

Go to the 'Tweeking Christie Platters' section of the 'Tips' link here. It's all there.

-Aaron

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 09-25-2001, 05:05 AM:

Hey Guys, here's my 2-cents...on the AW3 if the platter still turns a little, I found the LED to be bad almost everytime, even though the LED ohms were adjusted to 70K, the LED can still be bad, replace it, adjust the ohms to 70K...all works properly, if that doesn't fix the problem check to see the light vane is not rubbing the sensor, if not then check the spring action, & if that don't work, get a SPECO Platter !!

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 09-25-2001, 12:12 PM:

I agree that SPECO have the 'plug and play' convenience that Christie platters do not have. The question is, what can Christie platters do (once tweaked) that SPECO platters cannot?

BTW, I've been thinking of writing a review for the Kinoton IR payouts units...I just need a digital camera for the pictures.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-25-2001, 12:32 PM:

>>what can Christie platters do (once tweaked) that SPECO platters cannot?<<

Such as? Please elaborate.

Brad: I think the main reason the feed control arm doesn't automatically zero is more of a gravity problem (platter is not level) more than anything. I will be there today to have a look at it.

-Aaron

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 09-25-2001, 01:34 PM:

Has anyone had any problems with the AW3 pay-out heads damabing the film on payout? Seems as though the three spools have alot of tension on them, and pull themselves into each other. I see a possible disaster here with dirt buildup on these spools that couyod be hammered into the film. Scratching and buffing of the the digital tracks could be possible if one of the spools do not turn freely.

Looks like the AW3 has too much contact with the film.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-25-2001, 01:48 PM:

Paul, just remove the tension spring. This should be done on all AW3 platters. I don't know why Christie still sends them out from the factory this way. Instructions to do this are in the FilmGuard instructions and I believe it is on the Christie tips page too.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 09-25-2001, 03:07 PM:

Thanks, Brad. I'll yank those springs as soon as I can.

Paul

Posted by Keith Peticolas (Member # 971) on 09-25-2001, 07:53 PM:

Thanks for the tips guys, came in very handy. The Christe books were way off on the tune up procedures. Used Brad tips, and they all run fine now. Thanks to Brad, and Don Sneed for his offer of help.
kp

Posted by Manuel Francisco Valencia (Member # 710) on 09-26-2001, 01:29 AM:

Brad

I have also pulled out the tension spring on "some" of my brains. When I have done this I have found that there isn't enough tension on the film to turn the rollers. It only occurs when I am feeding from the top platter. I go through the brain, around the first roller, along the second, and along the third but the third doesn't have enough pressure on it to turn, resulting in flat spots. These rollers are free of any lubrication, but I have found out that lubing them helps somewhat. However, I know that lubing is bad for the rollers in the end. Do you have this problem?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-26-2001, 02:12 AM:

I've never had that problem. What vintage are your platters? Black rollers or green rollers?

Are you sure the spring that pulls the two flange-less rollers in the brain are pressing snugly against the center brain roller?

Posted by Manuel Francisco Valencia (Member # 710) on 09-26-2001, 02:44 AM:

Green rollers. And yes they are snug on the center roller although I have had some ones that were rather loose. You could actually pull the film slower than the motor but the film would slide on the rollers and not turn. I have angled the third roller every which way, lube, no lube, you name it. I have thought about bypassing it but the film runs dangerously close to the bracket.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-26-2001, 02:50 AM:

Does the problem follow the brain? Put that brain on the middle deck and remove the spring. Christie generally sends extra rollers out with each install, so try changing out the rollers on that one brain. Could be a manufacturing defect.

Posted by Manuel Francisco Valencia (Member # 710) on 09-26-2001, 02:57 AM:

I will check that out next time I am up in booth. And since you are the only other one up at 3 o'clock in the damn morning let me ask you "What is eveyones problem with Christie gearboxes?"

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 09-26-2001, 03:02 AM:

*sweeps in and posts completely off topic*
I'm up too.
*disapears*

Posted by Manuel Francisco Valencia (Member # 710) on 09-26-2001, 03:04 AM:

Going to go pass out now. Will start a new topic on gearboxes.