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Topic: Help: Wiring a Simplex pedastal

Dan Lyons
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 698
From: Seal Beach, CA
Registered: Sep 2002

posted 10-15-2002 08:28 PM

Yesterday I finally got my projector and base. It's a Pro 35 with soundhead, when I start working on it, you can be sure I'll be posting many questions.

Now to my question, How does one wire a Simplex base? I just finished painting it today, mottled gun metal black.
This is the one with the knife switch on back, as can be seen pictured in Rick Shamel's screening room in the warehouse.

The knife switch is just a bit dusty, not all corroded thankfully. How would I clean it properly? sandpaper? On one side of the base, it has a standard 2 socket wall plug installed.
The big question is, after the switch it ready, how do I hook it up? I plan to wire for standard 120v wall current, and how would I wire the outlets in the base from the switch?
(my grandpa is a retired electrician, so i'll have his help on this project)

Thanks
Danny

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-15-2002 08:40 PM

The knife switch is for the arc lamp, not for the AC outlet on the side of the base. Normally, the only thing that plugs into the AC outlet is the threading lamp in the projector head (at least this is true with Simplex or Century heads) and maybe a water circulator for machines with water-cooled gates. The outlet in the base is normally connected to its own circuit on the booth breaker panel. There is usually a terminal strip inside the base where connections are made for picture changeover, exciter lamp power, etc.

If you have a carbon arc lamphouse, there should be two leads (probably asbestos-covered) that go from the switch to the back of the lamphouse.

If you aren't using a carbon lamphouse, the knife switch is pretty much useless; you might want to leave it on the base as a decoration, though. Modern xenon lamphouses have the on/off switch located either on the lamphouse itself or on the rectifier.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

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

posted 10-15-2002 11:53 PM

I think Scott covered it very well. Unless you like the "old" look, simply remove it but don't chuck it in the trash. There are a few carbon-arc nuts (me included) out there, so you might want to look for someone who can use it. Maybe Josh can use it for spare parts.

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Dan Lyons
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 698
From: Seal Beach, CA
Registered: Sep 2002

posted 10-16-2002 01:16 AM

Thanks for the info.
Even though the switch will be of no use to me, I do think i'll keep it on there , unless someone wants to trade some reel arms for it.

It does look very nifty.

Danny

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-16-2002 12:13 PM

remember you will need the powersupply for the changeover since the pro35 uses a maintained voltage rotary solinoid changeover dowser and it is two voltage levels

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Brett Rankin
Film Handler

Posts: 78
From: Sierra Madre, CA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-16-2002 10:12 PM

Can the changeover be easily removed, and if so, would it be adviseable to do so?

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