Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Century MSA belt

This is topic Century MSA belt in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-15-2008, 10:31 AM:

This should be a quick one. Century MSA projector. 1725RPM motor. What belt do I need?

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-19-2008, 05:28 PM:

Richard- this may not be as easy as it sounds.
I'm not an expert on this particular model of Century, projector
but there are some variables that can affect the answer.

For example, some are driven by a drive belt directly from the motor to the projector.

Others can be driven indirectly through the sound head which itself may be driven either directly or through another drive belt.

I think more information is needed, such as the type of soundhead and drive arragngement attachedbefore anyone can answer your question accurately.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-19-2008, 06:18 PM:

What is your sound head - is it an R3 standard soundhead that used that large square tooth drive belt? Or, do you need the ribbed belt that runs from motor to soundhead?

Check your dealer on this info.

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-19-2008, 07:38 PM:

As far as I remember, the MSA is a direct drive projector. It only has one belt. It is the toothed version. I thought only the SA had 2 belts.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-19-2008, 08:37 PM:

My mistake. The SA that I'm used to uses a ribbed belt since it has an induction motor to drive it. You've got a sync motor on it which needs the toothed belt.

Still, check with dealer for the right belt.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-20-2008, 09:59 AM:

quote: Richard May
As far as I remember, the MSA is a direct drive projector.

And I seem to remember that the MSA could be ordered configured for direct or indirect drive.

Whatever! [Big Grin]

- - I think we all agree a little more info is needed to come up with a the right answer to this question here.

Contacting the dealer as suggested is probably a good way to start.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-20-2008, 10:03 AM:

I don't know about the toothed belts, but the poly-V belts are standard parts. There's a number on the outside of the belt that specifies the size and type. Type that number into the search box on the McMaster-Carr web site, and you'll be able to order them there. At least that worked for me when I last ordered spare belts.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-20-2008, 01:18 PM:

SA drive from soundhead single shutter air cooled
DA drive from soundhead double shutter air cooled
SAW drive from soundhead single shutter water cooled
DAW drive from soundhead double shutter water cooled
MSA Direct drive single shutter air cooled
MSAW Direct drive single shutter watercooled
MDAW Direct drive double shutter watercooled
The direct drive could be poly V belt or toothed belt for non sync 1725rpm motor or a different pully arrangement with toothed belts for 1800 sync operation

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-20-2008, 07:38 PM:

At this point the plate on the projector is meaningless as someone may have converted a direct drive to sound head drive of other way around. Grooved belt drive might now be toothed and use a sync or not sync motor.

The point is Century's are very easy to modify and there are tons of parts for them.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-21-2008, 02:20 PM:

Sam,
You're absolutely correct but somehow I envision this one as being driven by a squirrel thats being fed popcorn...

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-21-2008, 09:05 PM:

IF it's not modified, use a BE-908 (poly vee drive) from any dealer. Louis

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-22-2008, 01:45 AM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
as being driven by a squirrel thats being fed popcorn

....from pencil cheap theatre operators... [Big Grin]