Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: need help finding info about Hi-tech automations

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Posted by Adam Witzel (Member # 2260) on 04-15-2005, 03:26 AM:

my theater runs christie M-35 projectors with a hi-tech automation. i cant seem to find any information about these automations anywhere. i have 1 manual thats about 3 pages long, but doesnt list any info on parts, or part numbers. my problem is that i need a new switch for the "switch lense" feature, its burned out. the only backup switch i have wont work, or at least i dont think it will. this automation has 2 different types of switches, ones that stay up or down after you flip them, like motor run for example, and ones that go back into the center position after you push them up or down, like the switch lense switch. i need one that goes back to the center position to replace my burned out one, any info on where i can find manuals or information about the part number would be most appreciated. thank you
-adam

by the way, the manaul says Hi-Tech HTA-1020 Deluxe automation system

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-15-2005, 10:19 AM:

Those were sort of shadetree mechanic units, as I recall. Some guy in Florida built them in his garage or something, using Rat Shack parts? Pretty flimsy.

Good luck, I never saw a manual for one. But they were pretty easy to figure out. Nothing fancy.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-15-2005, 10:23 AM:

Hi-Tech is manufactured by:

Mega Systems Technologies
110 Riberia St.
(P.O. Box 4186)
St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (32085)
Phone: 1-888-829-5702 or (904) 829-5702
Fax: 904-829-5707
URL: www.megasystem.com
Email: info@870.com

Yours is mainly an HTA-10 unit with a 2000 watt dimmer built in (HTA1020).

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-15-2005, 10:34 AM:

Did Mega always have those? I could swear I recall an individual made them from home.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-15-2005, 10:41 AM:

I guess they have. I've got some of their sales literature that states the following companies use Hi-Tech automations (as of April 2003):

Hollywood Theaters - over 80 screens

Carmike Theaters - over 300 screens

AMC Theaters - over 50 screens

George Lucas Super Live Adventure - Tokyo, Japan

Several other worldwide attractions are also listed in the literature.

Hi-Tech (Mega Systems) was very helpful and gave me copies of the manuals (and schematics!) to the HTA-14 and HTA-11D automation units.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-15-2005, 10:47 AM:

Humm... maybe I'm mistaken about the home made thing - but they sure looked like it. And Carmike did have a lot of them. I would've opted for heavier-duty components. A lot of failures. They were constant trouble because they were so flimsy.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-15-2005, 10:53 AM:

I think www.rsem.com has pictures of these units posted on their site if you want to see what they look like. Look under Cinema Equipment -> Theatre Automation Systems.

I believe the Hi-Tech units use the same switches as late model Kelmar automations.

Posted by Adam Witzel (Member # 2260) on 04-15-2005, 07:02 PM:

thanks for the replies guys, i tried the 1-800 number and its seems to be out of order, says the number cannot be completed as dialed, tried it 3 times. anyways, im going to try the other one when i get to work, as i dont feel like calling florida from home.

also would you guys happen to know the exact term for the type of switch that im looking for, so i dont have to tell them 'ya know the switches that go back to the center, not the ones that stay up or down!' and make myself look stupid. thanks.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 04-15-2005, 08:49 PM:

Here is the front panel of a Hi-Tech HTA-11:

Hope this helps.

-Aaron

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-15-2005, 10:22 PM:

Otherwise known as No-Tech, or Low-Tech in our area. Since Megasystems is now out of buisness its hard to say where one will find the info but it is out there.

Mark

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 04-16-2005, 01:09 AM:

Adam,
Call 904-829-5702. This is Megasystems number(Yes, Megasystems is still around). The Hi-Tech automations are still being supported.

Rick

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-16-2005, 01:18 AM:

It appears that Megasystems was bought out by Strong last year and some of the contact information has changed:

Sales office: Megasystems, 8 Marshview Drive, St. augustine, Florida 32080 Phone: (904) 829-5702, fax: 904-461-3546, URL is still the same as above posting.

Corporate office:
Megasystems/Strong International, 4350 McKinley St., Omaha, Neb. 68112, Phone: (402) 453-4444

The switch you are refering to is called a momentary center off.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 04-16-2005, 08:26 AM:

Megasystems is now a part of Strong. I don't have the number for Hi-Tech with me, but if you call the Megasystems number they will give you the contact info. Don't call the Strong number because they don't have the Hi-Tech number. Hi-Tech is not associated with Strong. They are still operating out of Florida.

Rick

Posted by Adam Witzel (Member # 2260) on 04-16-2005, 10:36 PM:

thanks for all the help guys, i really appreciate it
-Adam

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-16-2005, 11:52 PM:

quote: Tim Reed
I could swear I recall an individual made them from home.

UPDATE! Okay, I have it on good authority that the Hi-Tech's did indeed start out in a Florida garage. It was then sold to an employee who started Mega.

Glad to find the memory's not entirely gone. [Wink]