my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Booth humidity levels . . . whats good and whats not

Author Topic: Booth humidity levels . . . whats good and whats not Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-18-1999 02:34 PM                     Even though its summer and I live in Western Pennsylvania (hot and humid this time of year), we are having serious static problems. We found on the internet a site from British Columbia, Canada, that claimed the humidity in the booth must be between 50-60% in order to avoid problems with static cling. The manager bought a hygrometer and I tested the booth. I found that our humidity fluctuates between 40-45%. We are using a humidifier, buckets of water stashed safely near platters, and mopping the floor every other day to try and get our levels up. Two days ago, our technician droped by and thought he saw watermarks left by condensation on a circut board inside the lamphouse. My question is: What is the proper humidity level inside a booth so as that the film runs without any problems and condensation causes no damage to the equipment?  |  IP: Logged Ian Price Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1714 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-18-1999 02:55 PM                     I have run film in Colorado only. The humidity averages around 16%. We have had all the same problems as you with static. We have never used a humidifier. I don't think it makes a bit of difference. I have seen film have static in Houston where the humidity must have been 300%, anyway I was sweating up a storm. The difference between 40% and 60% isn't enough to worry about. Empty your buckets of water and turn off the humidifier.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 06-18-1999 03:16 PM                     I must agree with Ian. Everyone makes the humidity out to be such a big thing, when in reality it is more like a poor excuse from Kodak as to why their prints have so much static. Don't bother with the water. Imagine how good a print will look the day the bowl accidentally gets spilled on the print! What type of platters are you running? I've found most static problems can be toned down by adjustments to the platter.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-20-1999 11:07 AM                     We run three types of platters, Potts, Neutronic (Neumade), and SPECO. The Neumade platters are by far the worst with static!  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-20-1999 12:19 PM                     Neumade is the worst followed by speco because they have painted platters that insulate the film. Humidity does make a big difference In toronto we use steam humidifiers in all booths to hold the humidity at 55% and very little wrapping occurs. gordon  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-20-1999 02:14 PM                     The best things to use for humidifying the air in a projection booth is a 'swamp cooler' or an *evaporative* humidifier, as they put the most humidity into the air without a risk of damage to anything in the booth. If you MUST use 'vaporizers' or 'steam humidifiers' or anything else that emits a mist, steam or spray, try to locate the unit away from lamphouses, sound racks, and other critical electronic items, I have seen mineral deposits from these units find their way onto circuit boards, and even as little white spots on the platters and sometimes the film itself! (and unlike polyester dust these are hard crunchy deposits that stick readily and have to be 'chipped off' the surface) Aaron  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.