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Topic: Norelco FP-20 "intermittent question"

Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 05-31-2010 01:07 PM

I just took possession of a Norelco FP-20. Looking at the manual and the unit itself I do not see a site glass for the intermittent oil level. Also can you confirm this is the filler tube for the intermittent.

Thank you!

Sorry guys I hit the post button before finishing the title. If the mods can modify the title please have it read
"FP-20 intermittent question"

Thank you!

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Robert Minichino
Master Film Handler

Posts: 350
From: Haskell, NJ, USA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 05-31-2010 01:56 PM

That is indeed the filler tube, and the operating oil level should be in between the red and green lines. Be sure the open end of the drain tube coming out of the bottom of the intermittent is above the oil fill line.

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Pete Naples
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1565
From: Dunfermline, Scotland
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 05-31-2010 03:12 PM

The white pipe with the red and green lines is the sight glass. Usually it's clear, not opaque.

Also the intermittent pictured is an early'ish one. Later ones have a short vent tube beside the sight glass.

Phillips/Kinoton have never advocated filling the intermittent via the sight glass, the book(s) and training courses say fill it via what Robert is referring to as the drain tube. It's really the drain/fill tube. This is especially important on earler ones as pictures here, as the risk of airlocking is higher.

Another tip, always check the oil level with the dust cap removed from the sight glass. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen a mech go from spot on oil level to empty, just by removing the cap. It's the vacumn below the cap to blame. Kinoton advocate piercing a small hole in the cap nowadays.

I've seen a couple of early FP20 mechs siezed because of airlocking, yet the level on the glass looked perfect. Until you removed the cap, or waggled the fill/drain tube. Next thing it burped and the oil suddently dissapeared iside the intermittent. Properly siezed too, cross and cam blued form the heat!

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-31-2010 03:22 PM

quote: Pete Naples
Usually it's clear, not opaque

On some the plastic goes 'off' and changes to this color.

quote: Alan Gouger
If the mods can modify the title please have it read
"FP-20 intermittent question"

Alan, I'm pretty sure that as the original poster you can do this yourself.

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John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 05-31-2010 03:39 PM

And watch out with that tube; they seem to crack very easily.

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Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 05-31-2010 04:17 PM

quote: Robert Minichino
That is indeed the filler tube, and the operating oil level should be in between the red and green lines. Be sure the open end of the drain tube coming out of the bottom of the intermittent is above the oil fill line.

Thanks Robert. Ill look for that drain tube. Just got this so I am still working my way through the learning curve.

quote:
The white pipe with the red and green lines is the sight glass. Usually it's clear, not opaque.

Also the intermittent pictured is an early'ish one. Later ones have a short vent tube beside the sight glass.always check the oil level with the dust cap removed from the sight glass.

Looks like I have earlier one. This one did not come with the dust cap, Ill try to construct one. Im lucky in that it runs very smooth and quiet. I want to make sure I keep it that way:)

quote: John Wilson
Alan, I'm pretty sure that as the original poster you can do this yourself.

Thanks for the tip John. Just fixed it:)

quote: John Walsh
And watch out with that tube; they seem to crack very easily.

Will do. Thanks John.

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Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 05-31-2010 07:21 PM

I have a gallon of Simplex oil. Is there a better oil for the intermittent or will this be fine.

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Randy Bowden
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 146
From: Portland, OR, USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 05-31-2010 07:57 PM

Spot on Pete [thumbsup]

Kinoton oil would be a better option than simplex.

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Mitchell Dvoskin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1869
From: West Milford, NJ, USA
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-31-2010 10:05 PM

Each projector manufacturer used a different weight of oil, sometimes different from model to model.

Unless someone here knows what weight of oil Kinoton uses, I would stick with official Kinoton oil.

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-31-2010 10:48 PM

I would use Kinoton Oil.

Steve

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Marin Zorica
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 671
From: Biograd na Moru, Croatia
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-01-2010 02:03 AM

Definitely use Kinoton oil, as if something breaks parts are expensive to get. Also, if you get dust cap, be sure to make whole on it!

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Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 06-01-2010 05:37 AM

Ah, this brings back memories. I used to operate FP23C's, and then PK60D's, many years ago. I loved those machines. If you are draining and refilling the intermittent, I understand why it is necessary to fill through the drain/fill tube, not the sight tube. But if you are just topping off the oil to bring it to the proper level, couldn't you just add it to the sight tube?

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Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 06-01-2010 09:46 AM

Kinoton oil ordered.

quote:
if you get dust cap, be sure to make whole on it!

Will do, thx.

Anyone install a Kelmar film cleaner on one of these. If so any pictures.

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