Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Kelmar Cue/Fail Safe System

This is topic Kelmar Cue/Fail Safe System in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Kerry Fleming (Member # 1657) on 02-29-2004, 06:25 PM:

Can anyone advise me what the operating voltage should be on the Kelmar cue/failsafe systems.

My fail safe is working fine but, the cue system isn't worth "a hill of beans."

My thinking is that the voltage to too low for the cue tape to be detected.

Your thoughts on this please.

[ 03-01-2004, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: Kerry Fleming ]

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 02-29-2004, 07:30 PM:

We're probably gonna need to know what model failsafe and what automation you're working with here.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-29-2004, 11:23 PM:

12 vdc.

I used to have one. I used a 12 v power supply from Radio Shack to run it. Worked fine that way!

Does the little red LED at the top of the gun light?
Are you using a big enough patch of foil? I don't recollect they were as sensitive as the FM-35 is.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-01-2004, 01:35 AM:

The current Kelmar cue detector is the best at picking off cues...it will read cues off the base or emulsion and I have yet to have one mis a cue.

Steve

Posted by Kerry Fleming (Member # 1657) on 03-01-2004, 05:18 PM:

I have two types of Kelmar detectors/fail safes in the booth.
They are pictured on kelmarsystems.com
Listed as Universal 35mm Detector UDH-1-100/132 &
UDH-1-160/132.
They are connected to a circuit board, also Kelmar, designed
to enhance cue detection.
I suspect this is a 12 VDC system.
But, only reading 6VDC under best conditions.
Some as little as 4 VDC.
At that voltage no wonder the system seldom works!

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 03-01-2004, 05:27 PM:

I had the bare bones detector/FS. Didn't have any relay boards or anything.

I made the relay board for mine. All from parts ripped out of old junk in my basement. I used miniature 12v relays, wired them up to the detector guns and gave the whole shebang a resistor/fuse just for safety. Wired it all up on a piece of breadboard and put it in a plastic project case I got from Radio Shack.

The power supply had enough to supply all three of the relays then just a bit more for safety. It worked great for me. Never had a problem with it. In fact, when I got my new automation, I sold it in the WTB forum here on FT. As far as I know it all still works. The guy I sold it to hasn't written me any nast letters. [Wink]