Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: SA-150 Solar cell alignment indicator

This is topic SA-150 Solar cell alignment indicator in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 03-31-2003, 07:23 AM:

As offered here.
Has anyone worked with this tool?

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 03-31-2003, 10:40 AM:

No, I haven't used one, but the unit is made by Eprad.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 03-31-2003, 11:18 AM:

The test kit was a simple good fast option instead of dragging an ocilloscope to do the same checks. We used the units we had for field trips out of the USA and to do flutter checks.
Richard Fowler
Kinoton America Inc.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 03-31-2003, 03:44 PM:

Richard, is it just a convenient quick`n dirty tool, or would you say it is a good replacement for an oscilloscope for these purposes? How much actually is it?

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 03-31-2003, 05:21 PM:

A very good "quick and dirty" tool and more travel damage resistant than most scopes....not a cure all but a live saver on some jobs. The last ones we purchased where in the $350.00 price range.
Richard Fowler
Kinoton America Inc.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 03-31-2003, 10:10 PM:

I have one of those -- I will take a picture of it and post it here (possibly tomorrow).

UPDATE -- PICS ARE NOW ON PAGE 2

The Eprad SA-150 is quite small but I don't like it very much as it doesn't allow for precision required in an A-chain alignment which I personally believe is too critical for "quick and dirty" work.

I remember the first time I saw this thing. I was horrified when I realized the installer was going to use it for the primary adjustment. Apparently he ended up selling it to the theatre while I was away.

I'll probably never use it...but I still carry it with me as a backup.

[ 04-02-2003, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Manny Knowles ]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 03-31-2003, 10:29 PM:

How is it used? Where is it connected?

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 03-31-2003, 10:41 PM:

There are two sets of stereo inputs (BNC connectors) giving the user a choice to connect directly to the solar cell or to the processor's test points.

There are buttons for you to engage depending on which test film you are running (crosstalk, buzz track, pink noise). Then there are little lights that tell you if you are "over" or "under" and you fiddle until you get a balanced display (left and right).

The indicators are a lot like the Dolby Tone lights in some Dolby processors.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-01-2003, 10:12 AM:

The thing works but it is sort of like having a seperate scope and RTA that can't be connected at the same time
the flutter option is very handy

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-01-2003, 12:27 PM:

So it would be handy not for complete alignment, but for a quick effective check to track down problems?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-01-2003, 02:37 PM:

I have done complete alingment with them when the scope has been lost in airline baggage hell

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-01-2003, 03:15 PM:

Did they find it later and returned it to you?

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 04-01-2003, 03:59 PM:

Michael that question is OFF TOPIC and you of all people ought to know better.

Please start another thread if you want to discuss lost luggage with Gordon.

[Big Grin]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-01-2003, 04:49 PM:

I am the master of off topic questions and comments completely unrelated to the actual subject, Manny.
To return to the topic, where are the pictures you promised?

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 04-02-2003, 12:07 AM:

Manny, you're allowed to go off topic in any forum but 'Reviews' and 'Print Info'. So there! [Razz]

That said, the airlines know that if they lose Gord's luggage for any extended period of time that he'll let his cat loose on them. [Smile]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-02-2003, 12:27 AM:

Daryl, since Manny still hasn`t understood the basic rules, I think he should be blocked from posting in the Afterlife for one week.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 04-02-2003, 01:13 AM:

How about whoever meets him first gives him a kick in the arse.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-02-2003, 10:43 AM:

I don`t think we need to use physical violence. Manny breaks very quickly under mental pressure.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 04-02-2003, 04:52 PM:

All right, here are some photos of the SA-150 device:

Here are the BNC connectors at the top of the unit. It's a little out-of-focus but you should still be able to make out the labels indicating pre-amp and solar cell:

Here are the indicator LED's:

Continuing downward, we come to the selectors for the various tests you can run:

And a sample of some of the "cheat sheet" diagrams for each test:

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 04-12-2003, 06:01 PM:

UPDATE

So I tried this thing out when I was in Freeport and guess what? I found it to be VERY helpful in getting the best azimuth adjustment. Using just the o'scope I got what looked like a pretty good "slash line" but the SA-150 was unimpressed and, after a lot of tweaking, I was able to get a razor-like result on the o'scope monitor. It's such a portable thing that I will now carry it on all jobs. I still prefer using the 'scope for everything else.

Posted by Scott Manley (Member # 867) on 04-14-2003, 11:31 AM:

SoManny.......did you purchase yours from Cinema Dealer.com?

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 04-15-2003, 08:31 PM:

I don't know where it came from. I found it in the company's tool kit when I took over the maintenance.