Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: AW3 Platter Problem

This is topic AW3 Platter Problem in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-19-2013, 07:56 PM:

I started my #2 projector tonight and heard a loud snap! It appears the motor part driving the middle platter snapped (I haven't found it yet) and that platter stop taking up. The other two still work. So what do I do now? Call Sonic back down here or ask someone if they have a platter they want to sell cheap?

Bob

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-19-2013, 08:14 PM:

What part went snap? The motor itself? That doesn't usually happen....

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-19-2013, 08:27 PM:

It appears some sort of drive "wheel" on top of the motor. It's no longer there touching the platter edge as it is on the other two motors. I'm not familiar with Christie platters.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 12-19-2013, 09:26 PM:

You are describing a drive wheel or time. There are several types and colors. The white one tend to turn to goo. I'm sure someone on this site has some new ones in stock. It's also possible the tire is still intact but the motor mount spring has fallen out so there is no tension pushing the motor into contact with the bottom of the platter.

You have two other platters to compare it to and can run on the two good platters until a solution is found.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 12-19-2013, 09:51 PM:

Robert: Is there a metal hub still attached to the motor shaft? It almost sounds like the rubber drive wheel may have snapped like a worn out rubber band. Assuming the motor shaft is still intact, this is as easy as replacing the rubber wheel that goes on top of the shaft - less than a 5 minute job if you have the part (p/n 192826-001).

If you don't have one of these drive wheels on your shelf, I may have one I could send you.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-19-2013, 09:54 PM:

Thanks guys. I'll give it a closer look tomorrow and get back to you. I just took that minute with all the booth lights on and noticed the spring that on that motor mount is not there like on the other motor mounts. So now what. It's not on the floor so it must be inside the post.

Bob

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 12-19-2013, 11:47 PM:

There should be a copper colored "pocket" that holds the base of the spring in place. These often get lost in moving the platter from one place to another. Perhaps the installer made a workaround and it has fallen away.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-20-2013, 01:05 AM:

Robert, if the drive wheel (rubber roller about 1.5 inches in diameter) is still attached to the top of the motor but it just isn't TOUCHING the edge of the deck, then you just lost the spring that pushes on the bottom edge of the motor to hold tension against the platter deck. You could literally run to Home Depot and find a similar spring and jam in there.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-20-2013, 06:45 AM:

All of these parts I still (for the moment) have in stock brand new. Louis

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-20-2013, 03:23 PM:

Louis, please email me the price and I'll send you a check.

Bob

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-20-2013, 05:16 PM:

What part do you need?

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-20-2013, 09:10 PM:

As far as I can see it's the spring. I have an empty hole and can't find it anywhere.

Bob

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 12-20-2013, 11:08 PM:

You need the pocket or cup that plugs the hole and the related spring.

Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 12-21-2013, 02:07 AM:

Robert, I must say it is really neat watching you open up that theater. I feel like you and I are the only ones left on the board using 35mm anymore, haha

I wish you the best of luck sir. Would love to come visit some time, I have family in the Tulsa/Inola/Claremore area so it'd be just a hop and a skip away!

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-21-2013, 02:54 PM:

I look forward to meeting you when you can Buck.

Thanks Sam. I think Louis figured that out.

Bob

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-01-2014, 01:20 PM:

This is pretty strange! It is almost impossible for that spring to pop out of there once the motor is in place with the pin. The spring would be grossly distorted if it did manage to pop out. The cup can't come out as there is not enough clearance (unless the motor is removed completely). I wonder if there was never a cup and the spring was just catching on the edge of the hole all these years. The spring might be inside the arm now which may be why you can't find it.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 01-01-2014, 01:35 PM:

The cups are the first thing to go missing when platters get moved as there is nothing to keep them in once the motors are removed.

It's also possible the spring was never there but some sort of wedge to keep the drive in contact.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 01-01-2014, 02:31 PM:

I'm waiting for Louis B. to send me a spring. In the meantime my son has wedged another spring in there and it seems to be working for now. It was quite a loud pop when it went to wherever it went. This equipment was used when it was installed in '08.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-01-2014, 02:55 PM:

Will look for part on Thursday!

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-02-2014, 07:07 PM:

Spring and copper holder boxed and readu to mail. Hope to do so Friday.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 01-02-2014, 07:37 PM:

Thanks Louis. You really are a film god.