Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Rectifiers

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

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-29-2004, 03:56 AM:

Question on recifiers: Which are better, or are they the same like 6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other: The Strong transistor "switchers", or the CHR traditional voltage tap switching transformers, and diode usage variety?

I've played with both and actually prefer the CHR variety being of the "old school" type of rectifier using pos/neg diodes. Just seems like CHR's put out a more stable light current and bulbs last longer. But, just wondering.

thx-Monte

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 11-29-2004, 09:18 AM:

To a large extent it's like asking if you prefer blondes or brunettes. High reactance rectifiers were the standard and have the benefit of simplicity and user-serviceability. On the other hand they're big, heavy, hot, inefficient, and can be noisy. Switchers had a reliability gripe initially but have largely settled in, and are compact, relatively cool, and efficient, but not user serviceable. As you said, 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.

Posted by Thomas King (Member # 2745) on 11-30-2004, 06:54 AM:

Agreed. Non-switching rectifiers, while being reliable and indestructable (all that will be left of our proj. box after nuclear war will be the rectifier and the IBM keyboard) are large. When fiddling with ours the other day (the panel switch had died naturally, and I wanted to tighten the transformer bolts to quieten it down a bit) I found out that it actually is sunk a foot and a half into the floor. Certainly switched power supplies have more to go wrong, but our tech said that about dolby digital when we got that installed [Smile]

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-30-2004, 07:23 AM:

I would say that the switcher is the way to go. As a tech, I have run into very few problems with them. They are much easier to carry around (especially for use on a portable setup). I had some problems with the older ones, but they have worked the bugs out with them.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-30-2004, 07:50 AM:

One thing I have found is that plex's equipped with switchers really need to have full panel surge protectors at eah panel in the booth. Plex's we've done this way have had zero switcher failures.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 12-01-2004, 11:39 AM:

Switchers cost you less in power as they are more efficient, true the early ones were somewhat tempramental, but the recent ones I've dealt with from Strong have been behaving themselves thus far. They are a heck of a lot more compact than most rectifiers, having said that the Christie unit found in the bottom of their consoles is quite compact considering it's output, it is HEAVY though!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-01-2004, 03:43 PM:

Yep, 100 plus LBS for a Christie, whereas a 20LB suitcase for the newer "Switchers" - no comparison.

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 12-01-2004, 07:57 PM:

So how do those monster standalone IREM rectifiers -- the ones with the "steering wheel" current control -- compare weightwise to Christies of comparable output?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-01-2004, 08:28 PM:

Generally lot heavier. It takes alot more iron to build the movable core type transformers.

Mark

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-02-2004, 01:10 AM:

Yep, packing IREM's downstairs from a booth where the theatre's closed down, ain't an easy chore. Granted, Strong with the "suitcases" won this war.