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Author Topic: Simplex xl intermittent repair Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 12-06-2009 05:50 PM                        I have a Simplex xl (model pr-1003) that the intermittent went out while previews were playing. No wrap, had oil, just stopped working. It was sounding louder than normal before it happened. I have what I believe to be above average mechanical skills. How difficult is it to take the intermittent out and back in? Anyone have good instructions on how to take it out? Or, is it wise just to send the projector off and have a service person remove it and look over the entire projector? Recommendations for who to send off to service the intermittent? I have used American Cinema Equipment, Tri-State Theater, & Hadden in the past for parts/equipment/supplies, etc.  |  IP: Logged Jack Theakston Master Film Handler Posts: 411 From: New York, USA Registered: Sep 2007 posted 12-06-2009 06:17 PM                     Removing the intermittent is simple, but taking it apart is another thing. All of this is described in the manual that I believe is on this site. I wouldn't attempt to try the first time alone. Either send it off to be serviced, or find a tech who can walk you through the whole thing.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-06-2009 07:35 PM                       Probably the best rebuilder of intermittents in the US - if not the world - is Ed Wyatt at Hadden. The man is phenomenal. He's the son of a watchmaker, and has spent his life doing precision work. Ed runs intermittents in on a sounding board to tune them whisper quiet!  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-06-2009 08:11 PM                     Dick Prather does excellent work  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-06-2009 08:28 PM                     I've done about 7 of them... piece of cake to do..  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-06-2009 08:59 PM                     I'd highly reccomend Randy Bowden at American Cinema Equipment. Randy is an excellent rebuilder. I also do them but am way to tied up right now and you need it done right away... I'm not a big fan of repair/exchange system and there are also a few dealers that will also ship you a loaner overnight so you can get right back on screen till yours is rebuilt. Mark  |  IP: Logged Randy Bowden Expert Film Handler Posts: 146 From: Portland, OR, USA Registered: Aug 2000 posted 12-10-2009 02:16 AM                     Mike, I would be happy to perform the repair for you. If you need assistance with removing it from the projector, just give me a ring and I'll talk you through it. Dick Prather also does good work, in fact he's just down the street from ACE.  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-10-2009 08:45 AM                     quote: Mike Frese Or, is it wise just to send the projector off and have a service person remove it and look over the entire projector? What??? No, it is not wise to send the projector to a service person. It is wise to hire a good tech to come onsight and fix the problem.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-10-2009 08:22 PM                        You are missing the point that he has already swapped out the head, which is something he has a comfort level with. The head is decades old and has never been properly serviced. Perhaps it is time for its day at the rebuilder (or at least the overhauler). A lot of work can be performed cheaply at the shop, where the same work would exceed the cost of a new projector "on site." Louis  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-11-2009 10:11 AM                     quote: Louis Bornwasser You are missing the point that he has already swapped out the head, which is something he has a comfort level with. The head is decades old and has never been properly serviced. Louis, No offense, but what point am I missing? He never stated that he swapped out the head and he didn't say it hasn't been properly serviced. He asked about removing the intermittent because it "stopped working" during previews. If he needs instructions on how to remove the intermittent, I seriously doubt that he can swap projector heads. Mike, no offense to you either. Rick  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-12-2009 11:55 AM                     quote: Louis Bornwasser A lot of work can be performed cheaply at the shop, where the same work would exceed the cost of a new projector "on site." I don't know about your labor rates but ours are the same in shop or in the field. I've overhauled many a Simplex and Century while still mounted in place on the sound head... bearings, gaskets,Intermittent, you name it. There's no reason a projector rebuilt in place in the booth should cost as much as a new one!! Sans new paint any capable tech should be able to do it while in the booth  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-12-2009 03:54 PM                        Able is no issue. But if you include travel time, motel, expenses and time you soon reach a number that is obscene. In the shop, I have power equipment and a bottomless pit of the exact right parts. It is impossible to carry the parts needed unless you service projectors which are basically complete. The ones we see were purchased in the 50s or 50s, never maintained, and there are numerous parts missing, castings cracked and have parts that NEVER fail missng or broken. Many are indoor XL's in a drive in with the wrong pump/indicator hardware and the wrong shutter. The secret to field service is to do a complate job in one pass or to "slap -it-on-the-ass" and run. I will NEVER do the latter no matter what. Louis  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 12-12-2009 03:58 PM                     I agree with Louis on this one. Our rates are slightly cheaper in the shop, the shop affords a much more conducive work environment. Just about every part or tool needed is also within feet of the work space. Regardless of the job, I can do a more thorough and faster job in the shop under those condition than in the field. Unfortunately, most of the time, yes field repairs are the norm (you are not going to bring a projector back to the shop just to change a gear). I see Louis posted right above me...we do have "Field Kits" that have just about every part for a particular projector you could need (gears, bearings, shafts, tension bands...etc)...it is relatively small and complete enough to cover 99% (and maybe more, I can't think the last time I didn't have the part). Even with that, I'll take the shop repair every time. Steve  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-12-2009 04:18 PM                       quote: Louis Bornwasser I have power equipment and a bottomless pit of the exact right parts. Bottomless pit is an understatement! Hadden is like ACRES of machine shop, paint dept., projector remanufacturing dept., parts warehouse, freight/shipping docks, used equipment warehouse, research lab, new equipment manufacturing dept.; automation, film guidance, and sound rack staging, a huge dance floor... you can't see the whole place in a day!  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-12-2009 06:41 PM                        Inexpensive tours available Louis  |  IP: Logged

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