Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cinemeccanica Victoria X Motor Switch

This is topic Cinemeccanica Victoria X Motor Switch in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Paul Finn (Member # 10726) on 01-28-2019, 08:26 AM:

I have a Victoria X with a broken spring in the operating mechanism of the motor start switch. The three phase switch stack has to be removed from inside the console panel to get at the spring location for replacement. Either the operating handle has to be removed from its shaft on the outside of the console or, the operating handle and attached shaft through the panel and switch stack has to be removed from the outside of the console. Removing the operating handle is the key requirement and no way to accomplish this can be found. The manual parts breakdown is of no help. Has anyone removed the switch assembly for repair short of using a hacksaw for removal and requiring a total switch assembly replacement? Thank you.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 01-29-2019, 07:48 PM:

This is the infamous Mascarini switch? Probably best to bypass it and install a delay contactor, that was how we handled it for automation.

Posted by Paul Finn (Member # 10726) on 01-30-2019, 09:44 AM:

Thank you Dave. Total switch replacement possibilities and improvements have been considered if it becomes necessary. It is preferred to keep the two machines here, changeover operation, as identical as possible. I was able to work a spring, that is absolutely necessary for the rotational end-of-travel stops to be there, up into the switch mechanism and prevent contact overrun, open or closed, which results in erratic and possibly uncontrolled operation. The spring is weaker than the original resulting in a "soft" not well defined motor start position as the switch handle/shaft is rotated, but is workable. Both machines' motor switches do have a two second time delay relay in parallel with the switch stacks motor run contacts to have accurate start to run timing and overcome the usual slight operator differences.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-01-2019, 08:52 PM:

We always replaced that switch with a standard switch and a P&B relay that made it unneeded. Relay pulled up on the back emf from motor load surge at startup, then dropped out as motor came up to speed. Worked great. Find a Xetron or Kelmar automation with a Cinnemeccanica and they had to have one.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-07-2019, 10:17 AM:

What Louis said! Those old switches are the shortest route to losing a show.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-07-2019, 10:56 AM:

I always redid the electrics to run them on a invertor drive
that allowed for a nice ramp up and down of speed