A few days back we changed out the motor because we though that was what was causing the problem but the problem still persists. Last night I remembered that the FM-35 uses IR light to sense the film so I pulled off the reader and cleaned it. Ill find out tonight if that is what was wrong and ill post if it is still having problems.

What is the easyest way to clean the IR reader on the FM-35. I had a heck of a time cleaning off the lights on it because they are resessed inside these plastic covers.

 |  IP: Logged

 |  IP: Logged

 |  IP: Logged

Use a philips screwdriver and remove the screw that holds on the black roller. (Don't lose the washer.) Slide the roller off the shaft. Just carefully pull it off. Clean it well, using alcohol & Q-Tip. Set it aside.

Shut off the power to the failsafe. (Shut off the automation.)

Look under the sensor. There are two more philips screws. Remove them. The sensor will just pull off. Clean the little windows with alcohol & Q-Tip. Dry it well. (I use those stupid hand dryers in the bathroom. That's about all they're good for.)

Reassemble in reverse order.

While you've got the thing in your hand, take a look at the bottom. (Between the sensor windows.) Is there an IC chip on that PC? If not you ought to consider getting a replacement. There are improved versions of the sensor that will make it work better.

Also, while you're looking at the area of the failsafe...
Check your film path and check all your splices and cues. If your rollers are misaligned or if you have a crummy splice the film could momentarily jump the roller and cause the failsafe to think the film's going haywire.

If this is the case, your failsafe is doing it's job. It's trying to tell you there's a problem.

Lastly, I wouldn't tape over the sensor windows. After a while, the tape will collect dirt and the failsafe will start to malfunction. I recommend that the failsafe be cleaned every night by carefully brushing it out with a clean, dry paintbrush. (or similar)
If you do that, you should only have to use alcohol on them every once in a great while.

Yes we do have the IC chip on the board and also we have the red dot on the end IR sensor.

Brad you were right just give them a few more months and they will start to break. This is the second one in the last 2 months. 8 more to go. I just hope they all dont decide to make 1 day be the one they all break. Hehe knock on wood.

Over the years we have discovered quite a few things which will cause phantom stops and sometimes it takes a bit of detective work. If you are still having trouble, please call our tech guy, Don Olson, at 206-284-9171 with your symptoms. Don loves to figure these things out and he has the patience to stay with you until you find the solution.