Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Solar cell question

This is topic Solar cell question in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006454

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 08-09-2004, 10:05 PM:

In the two old projectors I'm rebuilding one soundhead has the plastic mounted solar cell while the other has the PE cell in a round glass tube.

Basically I'm getting great sound from the solar cell and terrible sound from the PE cell in the glass. Perhaps that's my fault for not knowing how to properly wire up the PE cell--but I'd rather have consistent parts in both anyway so I'm wondering where I might be able to buy another mono solar cell in the plastic block. Were these standardized to fit on most all U.S. soundheads? Anybody got one for sale? I already asked a regional theater supply company about this but basically they just told me that my system is obsolete and that I was nuts for even asking...LOL

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-09-2004, 10:34 PM:

You need a +90VDC power supply for the phototube to work properly, and even then I am not sure you would get it to operate satisfactorily into anything other than a vintage tube-type cinema amplifier.

Yes, mono and stereo solar cells are available for almost any soundhead out there. What make/model soundhead do you have?

-Aaron

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 08-09-2004, 10:59 PM:

It's a Ballantyne Royal Sound Master. An oldie for sure--probably used originally at a drive in. It looks pretty conventional in design--much like other common sound heads from the 50s I think.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-09-2004, 11:08 PM:

Which model?

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-09-2004, 11:38 PM:

Mono cells are probably gathering dust all over the place; maybe someone will simply give you one.

You can also try getting a solar cell such as might be made for hobbyists and gluing it to your PE cell. You can even solder the wires to the pins on the PE if it's the tube type. The very high impedance of the PE should have no effect.

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 08-10-2004, 01:25 AM:

Model 6--115v--60 CY--Serial numbers 4620 and 4621. A working mono cell to fit at reasonable cost would be great for now. Maybe a Jaxlite and stereo cell for later.
thank you,
Ed
edinman@earthlink.net

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-10-2004, 03:21 AM:

I had a churning feeling in my stomach, now I know why.

I'll be stopping by a theatre on Wednesday to take a screen down that has some mod 6's. I can't remember what they are using for pickups, but I'll take a look for you. Although I'm sure Gordon or somebody else could tell you off the top of their head.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-10-2004, 09:38 AM:

I think you can get mono solar cells for that model from Wolk.

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 08-10-2004, 02:19 PM:

quote: Ed Inman
Maybe a Jaxlite and stereo cell for later.

noooooo! Jaxlites are the devil [evil]

do a search and you'll see what i'm talking about.

danny

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-10-2004, 02:33 PM:

You know I have Jax light installed in the DP70's at ontario place cinesphere and not have had a once of complaint or problems so maybe a none general statement of evil might have been better

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 08-10-2004, 02:34 PM:

OK--forget the Jaxlite then, LOL--right now I just need a solar cell. Neither Wolk nor ICECO claims to have anything that will fit a Ballantyne Model 6. Mono is fine. Anybody have one collecting dust somewhere??? I will pay cash.
thanks again--Ed

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-10-2004, 06:15 PM:

Contact Kelmar Systems about a cell for your machine since they make solar cells for so many other soundheads.

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 08-10-2004, 06:46 PM:

Thanks, I'll try Kelmar. Meantime, I swiped a solar cell out of an old 16mm projector and mounted it in the glass tube where the PC was, refocused the lens, and ta-da I got sound. It's an iffy fix at best I suppose but at least I can hear something now.
Ed