This is topic Pennywise CA21 Error Codes in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-16-2005, 04:16 AM:
 
A colleague is looking at a Pennywise CA21, which is giving an error code of 'F L F'.

He's been unable to obtain any info on what this error code means, I'm told there's nothing in the manuals, and the manufacturer won't release him this information, none of the UK dealers for Pennywise are either willing or able to help either.

All suggestions greatly welcomed!
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-16-2005, 07:57 AM:
 
Lamp fail circuit. If the CA21 is so equipped, the photocell in the lamphouse must "see light" in order to complete the circuit. This can be bypassed with a jumper wire across the two terminals #61 and 62 in this manual download. (If you are not using that particular breakout board, wiring will be slightly different.)
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-16-2005, 08:27 AM:
 
Why would the manufacturers refuse to tell him what this code meant? Do they hate their customers?
 

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Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-16-2005, 09:55 AM:
 
Thanks Brad, that at least cofirms info we got from Kinoton, albeit for the EMK1, and gives him a line of investigation to pursue. There are no LDRs at this place, but there is some connection to that input, from a relay associated with xenon control in the console.

I have no idea why Christie/Pennywise won't help, I can only think it's because we are not their dealer, however their UK dealers wouldn't help either.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-16-2005, 10:05 AM:
 
Or they might be afraid that you'd sell that secret code to the Russians or something.

Gotta guard those priceless secrets!
 

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Posted by Peter Hall (Member # 695) on 06-16-2005, 02:27 PM:
 
Hi Pete

He assured me that there was nothing connected to the lamp sense input !

The info thing rings a bell - we wanted to install Kinotons alongside Pennywises at the Ritzy however Pennywise were "less than forthcoming". Ditto the UK dealer - who ended up selling them the new automations because everyone else had their hands tied.

I think it's a short thinking policy (not to freely hand out product information). If the only way that you can hold on to a client is through being prissy with vital service info then you dont deseve to hold on to that client. We (and I believe your comnpany) are very open with info, as indeed you know - our clients are free to chose whoever they want to service their sites - of course we would like it to be us but hey, you win some and you lose some - but if the client wants to use a third party then we will continue to support that person and freely issue whatever info they want about what we have supplied. It's the customer's gear after all !

I think we both deserve a beer anyway from Telford way - neither of us gains anything from the guy who is asking about the fault codes, nor did we supply the gear, however we are both trying to help him. Hell, we are supporting gear that we dont get paid for, didnt sell and that we dont represent the manufactures of. Scots and Kiwis rule in the generosity stakes !
 

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Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-16-2005, 03:42 PM:
 
Well yanno the error code that our man got over the phone was somewhat different from the one our man saw with his eyes.... It's a constant problem when trying to diagnose over the phone, 'chinese whispers' I believe the phrase is!

Sometimes we are too generous for our own good.
 

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Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 06-16-2005, 05:29 PM:
 
Interesting to note......

quote:

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If the only way that you can hold on to a client is through being prissy with vital service info then you dont deseve to hold on to that client. We (and I believe your comnpany) are very open with info, as indeed you know - our clients are free to chose whoever they want to service their sites - of course we would like it to be us but hey, you win some and you lose some - but if the client wants to use a third party then we will continue to support that person and freely issue whatever info they want about what we have supplied. It's the customer's gear after all !

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