Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: lamphouse projection need advice.

This is topic lamphouse projection need advice. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by George Snyder (Member # 6740) on 02-14-2012, 09:18 PM:

Iwas given A complete theater system with A return table for 35 mm film. It was wired up to A 3 phrase and I need to know if it is possible to run it off of A single phase circuit. I am only doing it as A home hobby and dont want alot of money spent into it. It is A Kneisley Xenex 2 Console series. Everything works on 110, the sound head, projector, return table. I just need to get the lamp working. Is there anyway I can convert running A 3 phrase rectifier into A single phase? Sorry to seem so dumb but when I just got the hang of 35mm film they converted to digital

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 02-14-2012, 09:22 PM:

In general, no you cannot convert a standard magnetic rectifier to single phase operation from three phase. Some folks have tried it with capacitors and converters designed for motors, but not only do those methods waste power but they can cause the rectifier to burn out. Not worth the risk.

Strong switching rectifers CAN operate on single phase 208-240 volts, very easy to do just wire the power to L1 and L3 ONLY.

I have a single phase, 120 volt Strong switcher (1 to 2kw lamps) with MS cable listed in the Equipment for Sale forum. [Smile]

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 02-14-2012, 09:57 PM:

Yes. Get an appropriate rectifier, (Tony's is a very good deal, and an efficient model) or plan on getting an electrician to do a re-wire job on your breaker panel, with a new 3 phase channel and a correct outlet, assuming that you have capacity and such a budget.

Members here pretty much agree - don't even consider trying to rewire the rectifier. Don't wanna.

Let us know what you decide.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 02-14-2012, 11:17 PM:

quote: Jim Henk
....getting an electrician to do a re-wire job on your breaker panel, with a new 3 phase channel....

LOL there are very few residential services that are 3-phase (some apartment complexes are fed with a 3-phase service but tenant panels are almost always single-phase only due to cost)..and to get a residential service upgraded to 3-phase is horrendously expensive (I was quoted over $20,000 from my power company in Norwalk, because I had to buy my own transformers and fuse cutouts from them, and that was WITH a three-phase primary in the backyard. Without the primary it was an additional $4,500 PER MILE for them to run the primary wire.)

An extra single phase circuit added by an electrician to an existing panel that is not full will run from $200-$500 or so.