Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Airflow featherswitch option

This is topic Airflow featherswitch option in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-07-2008, 04:02 PM:

Anyone have a recommendation for a better airflow featherswitch than the one that comes with SLC consoles? From time to time I find that it will get sucked right up into the exhaust stack. Granted I have beefed up the CFM to get better lamp life, but still, any recommendations?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-07-2008, 05:59 PM:

While I have not had the problem of the airflow "flag" comming off even with very high exhaust rates you could look into a pressure type of switch. The old H40's used to use a preswsure type switch for the internal blower system that I believe took about 1 inch of static pressure to operate it. I can't say that I've ever had to replace one. I believe Grainger sells similar switches.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-07-2008, 07:58 PM:

The only thing that caused the pressure switch to fail was the tubing that fed the switch...it would collapse. Change the tubing, all was well.

Brad, you could always use Strong's Ultra-80 sail switch or just make it yourself. It is nothing more than a lever type switch with some metal affixed to the end. The Ultra-80 one needs something like 600cfm or so to pull up...its flag is about 1"x1".

Steve

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-07-2008, 08:26 PM:

Biggest problem in some Christies is that there is no "stop" for the switch paddle to hit. Constant oscillation kills the switch. Louis

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-07-2008, 10:07 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I have not had the problem of the airflow "flag" comming off

Oh, of course not.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 06-07-2008, 11:10 PM:

I 2nd the suggestion by Steve G. That switch is much heavier duty than the flimsy one on the SLC.

Oh and Brad, can we get a "pissing contest" emoticon? It would be much funnier when people start to take stabs at others that way. Plus Mike Heenan would have some other emoticon to use than the sleeping one!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-08-2008, 12:09 AM:

Anyone have a Grainger link?

The funny part here is that I took Mark's advice and beefed up the airflow. Yes I get better lamp life now, but the "feathers" get sucked right off of the arm...and yet Mark has never had this problem???

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-08-2008, 11:17 AM:

The only time I see this is when the switch fails and the kiddies mess with it to bypass it. Hint: One can put a little glyptol or loc-tite on the spot where it clips to the switch. This more or less guarantees it isn't going anywhere. I'll see about the Grainger link in a while... Breakfast First!

Mark

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-08-2008, 03:05 PM:

It's not the wire, it's the "sail" part that comes off.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-08-2008, 03:21 PM:

You NEED to get some Mighty Putty ...that and a broken burger-flipper blade for a sail will solve your problem... [thumbsup]

quote: Our Grand-Poopie-BAH
Anyone have a Grainger link?

Ummm... Google it! [Razz]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-08-2008, 04:10 PM:

Grand Poobie- Bahs multi use pressure sense switch

This ought to work and its an all in one positive pressure, negative pressure and differential pressure.... What more could one want in a switch??? Louis will appreciate the fact that it will not flutter or malfunction due to shock and vibration... he has had some flutter problems so he says...

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-08-2008, 04:16 PM:

Hmmmm...my pea-brain is getting confused.

Is the switch in question a paddle-type "sail" switch or an Air Pressure Differential type? [Confused]

I thought it was a "sail" type. [uhoh]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-08-2008, 04:30 PM:

The problem switch in question is a sail switch. The switch in the link can replace the sail switch... and many other types relative to air.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-08-2008, 04:52 PM:

That seems a bit overkill for the task.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-08-2008, 05:09 PM:

Just get some silicon cement, squeeze out a quarter size dobble of it an smear it across where the switch arm is holding the sail. The sail won't go anywhere. Problem solved. Plus, not only will it hold the sail in place forever, but the silicon will dampen the vibration that the sail invariably encounters from the air flow, expecially on the vents that we've souped up with aux blowers.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 06-08-2008, 05:42 PM:

quote: Brad Miller
That seems a bit overkill for the task.

Since when did that ever stop you? [Devil]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-08-2008, 06:11 PM:

Adam = [beer]

So true...so FUCKING TRUE! [Razz]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-08-2008, 06:39 PM:

I don't classify 47.00 as overkill. Its alot less than the grief a refund of any half full house causes!

Mark