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Author Topic: Potts Platter Fuse keeps blowing Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 02-14-2010 08:10 PM                        Potts Platter Model 35-3a Was working fine for two shows today. When threading for the next show, the platter was not paying out. Checked fuse and it was blown. Changed fuse and it blew right away when power switch was turned on. Disconnected all platter motors and replaced the fuse. It blew again and tripped the breaker. A visual inspection of the variable transformer shows all wires to be secure. Thanks Thoughts?  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 02-14-2010 08:15 PM                     Did you also disconnect the variac?  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 02-14-2010 08:15 PM                        Check the lights. It's not impossible one might have shorted. When you turned on the power, if the dancer arm was dropped to the bottom (platter motors off), then it takes out most of the system. Check the shutoff switch, it might have shattered (doubt it, but could be). Otherwise, the lights would be the only thing that would be energized with the arm at the bottom.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 02-14-2010 08:27 PM                        I did not disconnect the variac, but will try that. Lights have not been working for a while, but I will try to see if they work.  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 02-14-2010 10:24 PM                     Isn't there a separate fuse for the lights or was that added on later models?  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 02-14-2010 11:12 PM                        I found the problem. A black wire on the back side of the transformer (behind the distribution block) had become loose and was touching the transformer causing it to short. I have begun to take the transformer out of the box that houses it but I am having a difficult time finding an allen wrench the right size. I will check tomorrow morning with the automotive store next door to me. Lights on a seperate fuse. Thanks for everyone's quick help. Thankfully this occurred on our slowest screen.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 02-15-2010 12:59 AM                        Maybe try metric allens, though from what I remember Strongs use The Queen's measurements.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 02-15-2010 03:02 AM                     Nah...they're American Standard .. you need a 1/16" allen to loosen the two setscrews that are on the rotor collar to remove the pivot shaft from the variac. Best if you get a set of screwdriver, or "T" handle allens .. works great when doing variac work.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 02-15-2010 08:08 AM                        That screw location that Monte mentions is counter-intuitive. It is on the other end of the variac. My first time, I fought this for an hour until I decided to "try all screws." Louis  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 02-15-2010 02:19 PM                        Yep, the first screw I tried had me perplexed for a while until I was told to try the two screws on the rotoe collar. No problem then! Unfortunately looks like the tranformer is shot. Anyone have a used one they want to sell?  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 02-15-2010 04:48 PM                        Final solution: I had a spare MUT that I was not using and took the transformer off of it. Back up and running. Thanks for everyone's help.  |  IP: Logged

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