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Author Topic: Solar cell question Ed Inman Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Jackson, Mississippi USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-09-2004 10:05 PM                        In the two old projectors I'm rebuilding one soundhead has the plastic mounted solar cell while the other has the PE cell in a round glass tube. Basically I'm getting great sound from the solar cell and terrible sound from the PE cell in the glass. Perhaps that's my fault for not knowing how to properly wire up the PE cell--but I'd rather have consistent parts in both anyway so I'm wondering where I might be able to buy another mono solar cell in the plastic block. Were these standardized to fit on most all U.S. soundheads? Anybody got one for sale? I already asked a regional theater supply company about this but basically they just told me that my system is obsolete and that I was nuts for even asking...LOL  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-09-2004 10:34 PM                     You need a +90VDC power supply for the phototube to work properly, and even then I am not sure you would get it to operate satisfactorily into anything other than a vintage tube-type cinema amplifier. Yes, mono and stereo solar cells are available for almost any soundhead out there. What make/model soundhead do you have? -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Ed Inman Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Jackson, Mississippi USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-09-2004 10:59 PM                        It's a Ballantyne Royal Sound Master. An oldie for sure--probably used originally at a drive in. It looks pretty conventional in design--much like other common sound heads from the 50s I think.  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 08-09-2004 11:08 PM                        Which model?  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 08-09-2004 11:38 PM                    Mono cells are probably gathering dust all over the place; maybe someone will simply give you one. You can also try getting a solar cell such as might be made for hobbyists and gluing it to your PE cell. You can even solder the wires to the pins on the PE if it's the tube type. The very high impedance of the PE should have no effect.  |  IP: Logged Ed Inman Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Jackson, Mississippi USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-10-2004 01:25 AM                        Model 6--115v--60 CY--Serial numbers 4620 and 4621. A working mono cell to fit at reasonable cost would be great for now. Maybe a Jaxlite and stereo cell for later. thank you, Ed edinman@earthlink.net  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 08-10-2004 03:21 AM                        I had a churning feeling in my stomach, now I know why. I'll be stopping by a theatre on Wednesday to take a screen down that has some mod 6's. I can't remember what they are using for pickups, but I'll take a look for you. Although I'm sure Gordon or somebody else could tell you off the top of their head.  |  IP: Logged Ken Layton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1452 From: Olympia, Wash. USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-10-2004 09:38 AM                     I think you can get mono solar cells for that model from Wolk.  |  IP: Logged Dan Lyons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 698 From: Seal Beach, CA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 08-10-2004 02:19 PM                     quote: Ed Inman Maybe a Jaxlite and stereo cell for later. noooooo! Jaxlites are the devil do a search and you'll see what i'm talking about. danny  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-10-2004 02:33 PM                     You know I have Jax light installed in the DP70's at ontario place cinesphere and not have had a once of complaint or problems so maybe a none general statement of evil might have been better  |  IP: Logged Ed Inman Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Jackson, Mississippi USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-10-2004 02:34 PM                        OK--forget the Jaxlite then, LOL--right now I just need a solar cell. Neither Wolk nor ICECO claims to have anything that will fit a Ballantyne Model 6. Mono is fine. Anybody have one collecting dust somewhere??? I will pay cash. thanks again--Ed  |  IP: Logged Ken Layton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1452 From: Olympia, Wash. USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-10-2004 06:15 PM                     Contact Kelmar Systems about a cell for your machine since they make solar cells for so many other soundheads.  |  IP: Logged Ed Inman Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Jackson, Mississippi USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-10-2004 06:46 PM                        Thanks, I'll try Kelmar. Meantime, I swiped a solar cell out of an old 16mm projector and mounted it in the glass tube where the PC was, refocused the lens, and ta-da I got sound. It's an iffy fix at best I suppose but at least I can hear something now. Ed  |  IP: Logged

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