Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: SCDC platters

This is topic SCDC platters in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 06-24-2004, 12:55 AM:

Last weekend I visited a theater that has the Strong SCDC platters. I like what I saw. Nice smooth payout. Much better than the microswitch and even phase control versions of the AP platter. But this theater is only a month old. Has anyone worked with these platters for a year or even two? Are they still as reliable then as they are when they are brand new? Do they really require no timing whatsoever? (I am under the impression that is what the "Self Calibrating" is all about, right?)

Thanks for your feedback.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-24-2004, 02:00 AM:

quote: Ken Lackner wrote:
Thanks for your feedback.

No problem! [av=n]

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 06-24-2004, 11:22 AM:

They calibrate themselves each time they are powered up. They work great, but I advise buying spare replacement LED boards after 5 years as they light output dims too much and the board shuts down due to an optical error. The platters run great. Check the solder joints on the power supply boards (there are 3 of them) in the 'variac box' as bad solder joints develop after a year. Once it's resoldered it's good to go for a long time.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-24-2004, 11:59 PM:

There are alot of them in our service area although we still prefer to sell our customers an AW-3 in most cases. As for the control modules... I've replaces all the old style modules with the latest and have had zero failures. Also never had any power supply problems or cracking solder flow. Some of the SCDC platters in my area are 7 or 8 years old making them some of the very first SCDC's. I like them alot myself as they are very little trouble for all involved.

Mark

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 06-25-2004, 01:13 AM:

The power supply board problems I mentioned are the solder joints at bridge rectifier. Actually had a couple of 'em burn holes thru the pc board, but it was an easy fix and the bridge rectifiers are a common NTE cross reference.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 06-25-2004, 07:05 AM:

Mark,

I didn't think there were any SCDC's that old. I thought Strong was selling the DMC's back then.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-25-2004, 09:34 AM:

Mark I thought you only liked the microswitch payouts [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-25-2004, 08:23 PM:

yea, I still do prefer the micro version. Its still the best bang for the buck as long as you use .5oz. micros. We have several customers that have quite a number of Strong Digital platters though.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 06-28-2004, 07:56 AM:

Been running them for over four years with no problems. Very reliable. I have five of the older platters with microswitches. Just finished replacing all the microswitches on them. So far, the SCDC's have outperformed the older version, hands down.