Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Christie AW3 Motor Speed

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Posted by Patrick Matthews (Member # 2705) on 01-08-2010, 06:15 PM:

Hi,

Just got and put together a Christie AW3 (Ive never worked with one before). Everything seemed to be going smooth but one of the decks seems to have varying speed. After about 1 hour of film it will start to stop spinning and then kick on a go fast, either causing the print to become non-circular (if paying out) or just causing the tension arm to go back and forth more than it should be. The other deck seems perfect.

I looked at the two cards and the speeds they are set two and they are very different settings. Does this sound like a speed problem or a motor going bad, or something else?

In the middle of my day of shows so I'm only going to that deck as rewind as I'm afraid if I use it for payout it will toss a print.

Any help is appriciated.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-08-2010, 06:49 PM:

If you click on Tips on the left panel then "Christie AW3 Platter Tips" it should have a section for timing the individual decks if memory serves correctly. Though it should also be mentioned in the platter's manual.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 01-08-2010, 07:25 PM:

I have seen a problem like this with decks where the center axle needs to be cleaned and re-greased. Try removing the deck and check that the two spacer washers and the circular bearing are there.

Posted by Patrick Matthews (Member # 2705) on 01-08-2010, 07:42 PM:

Yep two washers and the bearing are on there as I put them on myself.

Reading through that Tips document it appears maybe the low speed is set far too low as I'm definitely noticing a "punch". I compared the two between the last 2 shows and the deck that is working correctly has the low speed set higher.

After my final show I'll tinker with it and see if that is indeed the cause.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-08-2010, 08:07 PM:

..just watch how you tinker for you can easily blow a motor control card's fuse in a heartbeat..

Posted by Patrick Matthews (Member # 2705) on 01-08-2010, 08:09 PM:

Monte,

So I should definitely disconnect power, remove card, and then adjust speed control to be safe? Or is there some other way I could blow it?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-09-2010, 11:15 AM:

First to do...

A: Don't just mess around with the low speed adjustment! Follow the entire Film-Tech set up procedure and do all three decks... or if you don't have access to that....

B: Follow the factory set up procedure and do all three decks.

If all that goes well and it appears nothing was too far off then yes, Houston...you have a intermittent problem!

Problem could be motor card, photo cell in end of arm, the motor itself, the make up switch. Haven't seen too many LED cards fail.

Find out what's wrong by swapping the cards and parts around between the bad deck and a known good deck... If it's the motor it's very possible a motor shop can rebuild it for you at minimal cost (compared to a new one).

Mark

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-09-2010, 12:56 PM:

..and your two biggest assets is to have a Platter Tachometer when timing AW3 platters along with a VOM.

Posted by Eric Robinson (Member # 2966) on 01-10-2010, 09:46 PM:

Mark and Monte just nailed it.