Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: WTF is this thing in my damn lamphouse?

This is topic WTF is this thing in my damn lamphouse? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-06-2010, 06:57 PM:

In preparing to install new automations into my two Christie SLC-30 lamphouses, I came across the device pictured below. It is mounted on a type of heat sync to the frame on the non-operator side of the lamphouse above the red automation terminal board. It has two twims labeled "UP PED" and "UP RAMP". It also has a nifty power LED. It is labeled as 120v 60Hz so I doubt it has anything to do with the xenon. Automations are currently the Christie/Kelmar AM-8.

The power LED does not light and there is no power going to or coming from this unit according to my meter (I have not tried testing it with my tongue, though). I cannot successfully trace the wires coming from this thing because they get bunched up with others and disappear. Nearest I can tell, two of the wires **MAY** go to the automation board and the other two get lost, but I think they twist around up the back corner of the lamphouse. Could this be something for the auto-focus if it were installed (these SLC's are manual)? It looks like it has enough power to handle a couple of light bulbs.

I just want to know what it is.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-06-2010, 08:40 PM:

Why don't you ask JG? He tested it.

In any case, the part number probably ends in -001.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-07-2010, 12:13 AM:

Looks like a dimmer pak for aisle/house lights with those "Ped" and "Ramp" trimpots to control. The black leads looks like they are are hot "Source" and "Target" AC runs with the white being your neutral.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-07-2010, 03:46 AM:

I had similar thoughts, but then I began thinking "Why the hell would there be a mini-dimmer inside the lamphouse?" It doesn't look like it could power an auditorium full of lights, either. It also has chips for whatever reason.

Posted by Matthew Ortado (Member # 5620) on 09-07-2010, 06:45 AM:

Joe,
It looks like a slow start kit for the projector motor.
Matt

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-07-2010, 09:14 AM:

That would be my guess as well. Only 4 wires. 2 in and 2 out. Just about couldn't be anything else. . . .not enough wires. (Really good photo.) Louis

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 09-07-2010, 11:47 AM:

... maybe something to lower the bulb during breaks?

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 09-07-2010, 12:14 PM:

There is some writing below the wires that the flash washed out..Joe, what does all that writing say? It would be a good clue.

I'm guessing soft start for the motor too at this point.

As for the wires, they shouldn't be that hard to trace out Joe since Christie loves to use all white wire with numbers. Just follow the two black wires.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-07-2010, 02:00 PM:

The washed out part is the 120v/60Hz information as well as what appears to be a serial number. A motor slow start sounds like a logical conclusion, though since we have Simplexes they start slow by default. Sometimes they start so slow that we have to spin the flywheel to get the motor going. [Embarrassed]

Tony, the wires are not easy to trace. There are a crapton of black ones. However I do not believe these are hooked up to anything. Though I could easily adjust the trims, switch on the motor and find out (it will have to wait a few days, though).

Posted by Jarret Chessell (Member # 5077) on 09-07-2010, 05:27 PM:

You could double check the motor theory by running the motor on manual then checking with a meter.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-07-2010, 07:46 PM:

That's my plan. It'll have to wait until Thursday or Friday since I am off (and Thursdays tend to be busy, as some of you may know).

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-08-2010, 01:30 AM:

quote: Joe Redifer
and Thursdays tend to be busy, as some of you may know).

...and you should have an easy Thurs with "Resident Evil 4" being the only one released for this wknd ...

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-08-2010, 03:41 AM:

Nope. I've got 3 in (maybe more if there are any Indian shows), 4 out. It'll be a fairly busy Thursday night.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-10-2010, 10:05 AM:

quote: Matthew Ortado
Joe,
It looks like a slow start kit for the projector motor.
Matt

That's exactly what it is. With the PED adjusted all the way in one direction, it waits about 5 seconds before it even tries to turn over. The RAMP pot doesn't seem to make much of a difference either way.

Funny thing that is probably a coincidence: When I adjusted the pots to make my projector start faster (it has always been a bit slow), the amp would not even try to strike when I started the show, not even manually. I adjusted the PED and RAMP pots back to their original positions and then the lamp struck just fine. After the show let out I let the bulb cool for a while and put the pots back where I had them before, but the lamp struck fine. And no, I didn't have a door open!

Posted by Matthew Ortado (Member # 5620) on 09-11-2010, 06:54 AM:

Joe,
I took four consoles out of service with these kits installed in them. I think that they were mounted in the lamphouse because of the space needed.
Matt