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Author Topic: Variac went on platter during show Andy Muirhead Master Film Handler Posts: 323 From: Galashiels, Scotland Registered: Dec 2000 posted 12-03-2005 06:31 PM                     The variac went on one of our CFS platters today, typically it was during Harry Potter in our biggest screen. The projectionist reported the problem when he started to lace up and it got progressively worse, until with about 45 minutes left to run, we decided to take alternative measures. It was going to fail. Hooked two MUT's up to the platter motors, one to control payout and one for take up. Then manual all the way, took the variac out the equation. Easy enough to control standing and keeping an eye on the platters and adjusting the voltage to the motors, a small adjustment every few minutes or so. All done on the fly. Never stopped the show. There wasn't enough time to swap a variac from one of the smaller screens so next show was manual on the MUT's all the way. Just a heads up for anyone in the same position sometime as an idea, always had this procedure in my head in case of such a situation and happy to find it works well in practice. [ 12-04-2005, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Andy Muirhead ]  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-03-2005 06:51 PM                     If the variac is made by STACO the brushes are available from the STACO factory as spares.... Mark  |  IP: Logged Andy Muirhead Master Film Handler Posts: 323 From: Galashiels, Scotland Registered: Dec 2000 posted 12-03-2005 06:59 PM                     Good point Mark, I'd forgotten CFS were out of business and spares would be hard to locate. Thanks Although having said that, the whole thing is pretty much gone, not just the brushes. We'll see.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 12-03-2005 07:00 PM                     Bah! Just convert your 3-tier platters so you can have all 3 decks working for you at once.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-03-2005 09:58 PM                        Andy: 2 sources of CFS parts: Dick Niccum's company (whose name escapes me) and Potts in Rantoul. IL (1-217-893-0443) most parts are identical to older Potts platters; cheaper/better. Louis  |  IP: Logged Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 12-03-2005 10:30 PM                        quote: Louis Bornwasser Dick Niccum's company (whose name escapes me) Lighting Images Technology, I believe.  |  IP: Logged Andy Muirhead Master Film Handler Posts: 323 From: Galashiels, Scotland Registered: Dec 2000 posted 12-04-2005 06:23 PM                     I think Jack Roe will source a variac for us. In the meantime, the variac from screen 4 is now in use, and the damaged one has been repaired enough to run in 4 until we get a replacement (and spare). Thanks for any responses regarding sources.  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 01-14-2006 02:29 PM                     quote: Mike Spaeth Lighting Images Technology, I believe. Phone # is : 951-786-9999 (Riverside, CA)  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 01-14-2006 03:31 PM                     Lighting Images Technology's web site  |  IP: Logged John Eickhof Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 588 From: Wendell, ID USA Registered: Jan 2000 posted 01-18-2006 11:07 AM                        Its a STACO #1010 variac available from any elctrical / electronic distributor, the mods to it are very simple and easy to do.  |  IP: Logged

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