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Author Topic: Century Projector Lower Gears Shane Hoffmann Film Handler Posts: 68 From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA Registered: Feb 2003 posted 12-07-2003 07:28 PM                     We have greased all of the gears one of our old Century projectors, but it persistently makes noise, mostly squeaking. I believe that the squeaking is from the lowest gear behind the soundhead, but I have lubed it over and over again. Is there anything else I should check or do?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-07-2003 08:56 PM                     Typically its the belt idler that squeeks. This tensions the belt that goes from the soundhead to the projector. If its an older Century machine then you'll probably find its a black phenolic idler, later machines have an alumnium and ball bearing idler. If you confirm that its the phenolic type then place a few drops of oil in behind so it can run down onto the shaft as well as a few drops from the front side of the idler. This usually cures the squeeking. If this problem returns frquently, then replace the phenolic idler with the later ball bearing version. Also, if the take up reel belt drive gear is still in thereit might also be the squeeky contender. That gear is also located on the same arm casting that the tensioner mounts onto. A few drops of oil as on the idler will also take care of that. If its neither of the above you probably should get your service tech out ASAP as the problems may be bearing, or bushing related. Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 12-08-2003 03:02 AM                     I agree with Mark. More than likely, the idler/tensioner is the problem. It is easy to verify. Use a plastic hose or a rubber hose such as a automotive vacuum hose and use it as a stethoscope. With this method, it is very easy to determine where the squeaking is coming from. However, exercise caution so you won't foul the drive belt with the hose.  |  IP: Logged Jon Bartow Master Film Handler Posts: 287 From: Massachusetts Registered: Nov 1999 posted 12-11-2003 07:51 AM                     Just for kicks, grab the sprocket in the sound head and see if you can move it in and out or up and down. (Do this only when the machine is not running or course )  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-11-2003 09:01 PM                     "Just for kicks, grab the sprocket in the sound head and see if you can move it in and out or up and down. (Do this only when the machine is not running or course" _________________________________________________________________ I run into this all the time and carry a set of bushings in the van with me. You will find this problem with Centurys that have been running on Christie AW-3 platters for some years. The holdback on the payout heads causes the extra bushing wear. You'll also find the same problem with the Century JJ as well if the machine has run alot of 70mm film. Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged Shane Hoffmann Film Handler Posts: 68 From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA Registered: Feb 2003 posted 12-11-2003 09:16 PM                     That could be what our problem is. We have an AW-3 platter with that projector. We're having our tech come shortly, I'll have to have him check our other century/AW-3 setup as well.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 12-11-2003 09:18 PM                     quote: The holdback on the payout heads causes the extra bushing wear. Well I've always said to remove those stupid springs, but some people insist they have to be in there. Anyway, what about a Century that has been running with an SDDS reader (particularly the 3000 model) for some time?  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 12-11-2003 09:57 PM                        How can the payout holdback influence the sound head sprocket?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-11-2003 09:58 PM                     Brad, If ya remove them you will sometimes experience DTS time code read problems....especially with Christie projectors, not to mention higher error rate on SRD!! If Christie would just make a delrin strap instead of the cheapo metal thing in there it wouldn't be a problem. Don't have any SDDS penthouses on Centurys in my sevice areas that I can think of. I'll just be happy to put the last SDDS system in the junk yard anyway.... Michael, The grease thats normally in there gets sticky after a few years and causes the center roller to have higher tension than when its new or freshly greased. A delrin spring band would eliminate having to have grease in there anyway. On the platters that need to have them on I re-grease them with SuperLube...it doesn't dry up or get gummy over the years. Other wise like Brad says...get rid of em. Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-12-2003 09:21 AM                     Often on older century styled soundheads there was an oilcup on the non operating side of the machine that provided oil to the soundhead sprocket shaft sleave and was usually forgotten in routine lubrication and then seizeing up wears and makes noise  |  IP: Logged Matt Zeiner Expert Film Handler Posts: 146 From: Windsor, CT USA Registered: Sep 2003 posted 12-12-2003 05:56 PM                     I guess you are talking about the picture head upper holdback, Mark? 'Cause I also fail to see how the payout head is going to affect the soundhead holdback. Those springs should always be removed. I haven't experienced the issue with springless vs springged (huh?) payout heads and penthouse type readers. Not to say that the issue doesn't exist in some cases...  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-12-2003 09:01 PM                     Matt...... The only issue is with P35GP machines, other Christie versions don't need the spring. Of course there have been too many issues with these machines to begin with! You definately get better results with the spring in there on everything else I leave em out. Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-12-2003 09:04 PM                     And I thought we were talking about century soundhead issue  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-12-2003 10:26 PM                     Yea.... I covered that by suggesting that he get the tech in to work on it if oiling the idler didn't help out. Suggesting that someone inexperienced and without replacement parts at hand dismantle the soundhead shaft and parts would not be wise. Somehow we got onto discussing the upper busing wear caused by the darn tension spring in AW-3's. A valid point indeed... Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged Matt Zeiner Expert Film Handler Posts: 146 From: Windsor, CT USA Registered: Sep 2003 posted 12-13-2003 11:44 AM                     OK gotcha. we are talking about a myriad of topics in this thread....We just got an account with a location of all busted up p35s. Lucky me. Mark - do you guys do Christie ultramittants? We do all of ours in-house for Cinemeccannica Century and Simplex, but I've heard that the ultramittants are not serviceable. Is this true?  |  IP: Logged

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