Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Christie igniter

This is topic Christie igniter in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 06-01-2003, 04:39 AM:

I just had the igniter in a Christie lamphouse say goodbye. It doesn`t buzz anymore, but buzzed away (pun intended, though maybe not a very good one). Anyway, I was told it had just been replaced 2 weeks ago. Is there a known problem with the rectifiers that might cause them to kill the igniters serially?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-01-2003, 08:26 AM:

Does it looked like the connections were overheated?
There are many components that could fail but usually it is due to overheating or the igniton relay keeping energized forever

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-01-2003, 08:52 AM:

Actually they can usually be repaired.
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by German Marin (Member # 918) on 06-01-2003, 10:21 AM:

When the little red capacitors is dead the igniter doesn't work. When a diode is gone the igniter doesn't strike. We've not had problems with our 15 Christie's igniter. I just don't trust in Christie's rectifiers.

Posted by Rick McCluney (Member # 642) on 06-01-2003, 02:20 PM:

From what I have seen the high voltage transformer in the igniter will go out. You can just replace that rather than replacing the whole igniter.

Rick

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 06-01-2003, 05:48 PM:

There is no (visible) indication of overheating and the diodes are good. I have not had time yet to look at all the components closely, but will do so later. Do the transformers and relays in these units fail often? The reason I am asking is that I haven`t worked with these as much as with other systems. I am thinking about building up a little storage of the parts that are most likely to fail to make us more independent and emergency-prepared.

Posted by Jon Bartow (Member # 241) on 06-01-2003, 08:56 PM:

Rick is right, the HV transformers fail a lot. Someone told me that they had a bad batch of them a few years ago. At one theater that I service I have had about a dozen fail in the last two years. Look very carefully at the transformer. Look at the edges of the windings where they dissapear behind the core/plastic cover. Do you see any discoloration (may only look like a light dusting of black or grey powder)? If so it is a tell-tale sign that the HV trans is dead. Even if you don't, it still could be dead.
If available, try a known good ignitor in the lamphouse. And as others have said look for any discoloration or visible damage.
Jonathan