Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: What's The Secret to quiet down a Simplex XL?

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Topic: What's The Secret to quiet down a Simplex XL?

Joe Schmidt
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 172
From: Billings, Montana, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 04-26-2001 09:03 PM

This refers to a noisy intermittent and the Very Loud Chattering Noise it makes while the film is running, yet, on some you can hardly hear any noise at all. Allegedly this has always been a closely guarded secret, or, if not that, a trick not too many people know.

Thanks!

I'll check back in a few days, really gotta run now.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 04-26-2001 09:07 PM

Lousy dried out film stock with imperfect perfs.

I don't think anything is wrong with your machine.

Film guard time....

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Pat Moore
Master Film Handler

Posts: 363

Registered: Mar 2000

posted 04-26-2001 09:16 PM

If this is an older XL, might be that it's time to rotate or change the intermittent sprocket. Also check into the sprocket tension shoes. After that take a look at the alignment of the intermittent sprocket and the film trap. Straight Trap or curved?

The "secret" isn't too complicated if the above is all correct and in good shape. After that it's low film tension -- Simplex doesn't like or need a lot of film pressure through the trap.

Pat

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 04-26-2001 10:01 PM

Why would this be a secret? If I knew of this elite technique, I'd want to share it with everyone I knew to impress them with my Simplex mastery. I might even be able to score a few babes with knowledge like that! But honestly, if there was such a secret technique, the only reason anyone would keep it to themselves would probably be to protect their jobs for fear that if anyone knew how lousy they really were that they'd be fired

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Richard Tucker
Film Handler

Posts: 15
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 04-26-2001 10:30 PM

Pat has you on the right track, as he has done with me many a time. If it is a straight (studio) gate, also check the filmgate pressure pads and shoes. They can be worn into waves if it is a fairly old machine.

Also check how tightly the gate is closing. There is an allen screw that adjusts how close the gate closes to the trap. If this is off, either too tight or too loose, it will cause film noise regardless of the tension setting on the pads. (Too tight usually causes the noise, too loose causes picture jumping.) I usually test for this by opening the gate ever so slightly while a loop is running to see if it affects the noise.

Sometimes, however, it really is a matter of film lubrication.

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John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 04-26-2001 11:59 PM

Many times a loud 'tick' is caused by the out board bearing on the star shaft being dry, apply a drop or two of oil to the shaft where the indicator collar is located at the out board bearing. (while machine is at rest)
Allow oil to wick into bearing area then wipe excess. (I recommend this be done monthly on all grind run XLs)Other considerations are too much tension on film in the curved gate that can be adjusted by the fine adjust screw located on the trap casting, Or like others have said, worn pads, & shoes, etc. If there is a lot of noise without film it's probably the out board bearing or the intermittent needs an overhaul!

------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 04-27-2001 07:59 AM

Proper print lubrication greatly helps prints run more quietly.
Kodak Recommendations for Print Lubrication

Also, use the lowest level of gate tension that still produces a sharp and steady image on the screen.

Another thing to check for are "hooked" or damaged sprocket teeth, which can make alot of noise as they catch on (and damage) the film perforations. Use a high powered magnifying glass or pocket microscope to look at the teeth:
Radio Shack 30X Illuminated Pocket Microscope
Edmund Scientific Pocket Magnifier

(An old 16mm or Super-8 projection lens also makes a good magnifying lens to look at sprocket teeth).

Looking for damaged or hooked sprocket teeth should be part of any routine projector maintenance schedule. For example, look at page 12 of the on-line service manual for a Century projector:
http://www.strong-cinema.com/CTYMSCTU.PDF

Page 10 of the manual discusses proper gate tension.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-27-2001 05:44 PM

Joe,
The best thing to do is get rid of that noisly ole Simplex

and install a nice modern new Christie P35GP! That's

's favorite machine of all time

. That'll guarantee you that on every run the projector noise will be there and you won't be misled

into thinking that there is some sort of intermittent

problem with the X-L.....er....ah.....just a thought.
Perhaps

can do some calculations on the noise factor of the Simplex vs. the P35

so you can see what I mean...now back to my

. Hey, Where's :bob mar's: face?
Mark @ GTS

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Jonathan M. Crist
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 531
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 04-28-2001 12:10 AM

How's your oil level in the projector head? Is your oil pump working properly so that oil is constantly being fed onto the intermitant? Simplex X-L's intermitants are notorious for being cranky if not getting the proper amount of oil.

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Rick Long
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 759
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-28-2001 02:03 AM

Actually Joe's right. You wouldn't beleive how many chicks I've got with the line, "Hey baby, wanna come up to my pad and listen to my Simplex?"

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