Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Strong X-60B Lamp.

This is topic Strong X-60B Lamp. - Another question. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012451

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 06-27-2019, 06:35 AM:

Does anybody know where the vane switches are located in the X-60B? I cant see anything obvious - unlike the 60-C where the vane switch is mounted directly under the exhaust stack.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 06-27-2019, 11:18 AM:

It's been a long time but I think it's in the "duct" from the internal cooling fan.
I may have a manual somewhere but can't say for sure, or even have a good guess where I might have put it.

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 07-02-2019, 08:09 PM:

The internal duct looks like the only place it could be, but checking the draft of the 1 flea-power internal fan, there doesn't seem to be enough air flow to ensure safe operation of the lamp. The lamp house power switch is wired through to the mains relay in the rectifier, so I'll try to power up the lamp house tonight without the main exhaust running and see if the relay will pull in. It would be nice to have some indication of the extent to which the electrical safety system is actually working. :-)

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 07-02-2019, 11:53 PM:

This stretches my memory as well, but I don't recall the X-60 series having vane switches ... at least the ones I had didn't. The little blower was used to cool the bulb ends. It was not intended to substitute for a duct blower, which you must also have.

My power supply solenoids ran on 120v. I used the ceiling blower circuits for that purpose, so if the main blowers weren't on, the lamps wouldn't run. That substituted for the vane switch.

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 07-04-2019, 03:21 AM:

I tried out the Safety interlocking yesterday. Other than any possible vane switch in the auxiliary fan duct there isn't any. The rectifier contactors pulled in as soon as the lamp houses were powered on, with no main exhaust running. I've told the management of the hazardous situation.
I had a trio of X-60C lamps at a former location, and these definitely had vane switches above the reflector at the exhaust flue. One of them had lost its vane, and been disarmed, but it was still possible at that stage to get parts from Strong, so it was fitted with a new one.
I've suggested a solution similar to Jack's to the management for the current location. [Smile]

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-04-2019, 12:55 PM:

Some of the early ones never had a vane switch for the stack
There was a vane switch in the internal blower output area and some had inside the squirrel cage

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 08-26-2019, 01:46 AM:

An update.
The original 70mm spreader lenses have turned up. They were found in a void off a disused staircase, miles from the projection room, among a lot of heritage plaster and other stuff. Very dusty but undamaged. The edges of the carrier frames are keyed such that the lens assembly will only fit in its holder one specific way. Perhaps one day we shall go to the widescreen movie ball!

Also, thanks to all for the information regarding exhaust fans and safety switching. It struck me as odd that the 60B lamp houses would be sold without either built-in main exhaust fans or safety interlock wiring, but it seems that as the product line developed, more features were included.
A valuable history lesson. [Smile]