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Author Topic: Christie CH20 Phase Conversion Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2011 01:27 PM                     I acquired a CH20 console over the weekend and I took the panel off to see what the rectifier input phase was rated. It is a three phase supply and I need it to run on single phase input. My thoughts are this, gut the rectifier and all of the outdated electronics. Install my new Eprad automations and just mount a Strong switching rectifier in the base. I don't have a lamphouse or projector pedestal and this will solve both of those problems and let me get up and running. My main question is will this work and will the lamphouse portion still work if I make this change to the rectifier? Are the lamphouse ignitor parts DC and therefore will they work with any rectifier since they run off of the output side of the rectifier which is a DC supply? Any thing that may cause major problems that anyone can forsee? Would I be better off buying a new console or base and lamphouse? Thanks.  |  IP: Logged Sean Weitzel Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 619 From: Vacaville, CA (1790 miles west of Rockwall) Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2011 01:32 PM                     I too am interested. I acquired a CH-10 that has a 3 phase 3kw power supply stuffed into it.  |  IP: Logged Eric Robinson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 538 From: Santa Rosa, CA Registered: Jan 2005 posted 05-17-2011 03:33 PM                     How about using one of these to convert your single phase to 3 phase? Phase Converters - Wikipedia "One method for using three-phase equipment on a single-phase supply is with a rotary phase converter, essentially a three-phase motor with special starting arrangements and power factor correction that produces balanced three-phase voltages. When properly designed, these rotary converters can allow satisfactory operation of three-phase equipment such as machine tools on a single-phase supply. In such a device, the energy storage is performed by the mechanical inertia (flywheel effect) of the rotating components. An external flywheel is sometimes found on one or both ends of the shaft." 3 HP Rotary Phase Converter for $285.00 I'd be worried about maxing out your single phase supply though. Are you going to try and run a 2K bulb?  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-17-2011 04:00 PM                     Phase convertors unless a true MG set will not work SO take out the rectifier and install a strong switcher since it will run on both single or 3 phase watch the grounding and insure that there is bypass caps on the ignitor  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2011 05:37 PM                     I am aware of phase converters, but don't really like the idea of having three phase in my house. I use 230 460 & 575 3-phase at work all the time so I am well aware of the dangers and how to handle it. I just don't like using it if I don't have to at home. I had a 200 amp panel installed in my house so I am not worried about amperage draw on single phase. Thanks for the tips guys. The manual for the console sucks. Not much in the way of drawings or info.  |  IP: Logged Sean Weitzel Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 619 From: Vacaville, CA (1790 miles west of Rockwall) Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2011 06:23 PM                     I'm going to do just that and yank out the 3 phase guts and put this standalone christie 120v 1k rectifier in it's place. I'm only going to run a 1k bulb anyway.  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2011 06:30 PM                     I am going to run a 2,000 watt bulb since that is what this console was built for...or so I read in the manual.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 05-17-2011 09:25 PM                        Christie one phase 1000 watt are disasters(fire). Try www(dot)perfect phase(dot) com. This is a solid state 1 phase to 3 phase device with nearly perfect power factor. Better and quieter than a rotary. Louis  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 05-18-2011 09:07 AM                     I think it's "phase perfect" not "perfect phase". Possibly you could get a Strong switcher for free if you ask around at a cinema converting to digital. I have been offered complete working consoles if I'll just take them away. Why are projection rooms never on the same floor as a loading dock? A 2kW phase converter is going to dent your wallet pretty severely.  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 05-18-2011 10:16 AM                     When I worked at Strong, they had piles of switchers sitting around, you could call them. Oh wait, my bad, those were all sent in for repair. Nevermind, Rick  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-18-2011 11:20 AM                     I would really like to just get a newer Strong or SLC series Christie console instead of messing around with this one. It's just finding one locally that's the problem.  |  IP: Logged Andres Briano Expert Film Handler Posts: 162 From: Buenos Aires, Argentina Registered: Jan 2008 posted 05-24-2011 11:23 AM                        quote: Dave Macaulay Why are projection rooms never on the same floor as a loading dock? quote: Joshua Waaland I would really like to just get a newer Strong or SLC series Christie console instead of messing around with this one. Why?? I would love that experiment! Focus on the learning and the satisfaction derived from it! Go ahead!! Andrés  |  IP: Logged Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 05-28-2011 12:28 PM                     I know of one booth here in San Francisco where at some point in history, a tech converted two Christie CH-20's to run on single phase using a bank of huge hi voltage capacitors across the incoming AC line to create the "phantom phases", so to speak. I was tempted to trace-out the circuit, but it's such a shakey arrangment that I really don't want to get too near it. It does work well however, and has been doing so for over 10 years. The only 'problem' (aside from numerous electrical code issues I'm sure it violates by the sloppy way it was done) is that the rectifiers now produce an extremely irritating and very loud 120hz hum. I can't spend more than a few minutes in that booth when those things are turned on. I'm tempted to bring my RTA with me next time I go there and measure the noise level! But other than that- - it works well!  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-01-2011 07:58 AM                     An Ohio dealer that I know told me he has a single phase rectifier that came from a CH10 that I can put into my console. He also told me that my console has the Phoenix Kit which does make it more desirable to hold onto. Besdies changing the rectifier and automation, this should be a pretty easy job. Those dumb automations are so integrated into the wiring that it may take a few weeks to accomplish that task.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-02-2011 08:58 AM                     LIke Louis says... be very careful as they all fail but I think that is a bit of an understatement... At a theater in Vernal, Utah I literally saw one shoot flames three feet out the back of the console! You'd probably be better off using a capacitor bank on what you already have to generate the third phase. Also with the Phoenix kit a medium size candle might give you sufficient light to get to 16 fl on a small screen although color temperature is bound to be a little warm Mark  |  IP: Logged

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