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

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Automating the EL-40

Author Topic: Automating the EL-40 Rick Long Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 759 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Nov 1999 posted 04-28-2003 10:39 PM                     Spring fever has once again broken out here and I am too lazy to think of what will probably be an all-to-obvious solution to this problem, so I throw it out to those who haven't yet suffered from this malady. Strong Highlight II console. Simplex projector (1060) and 5-star sound-head TA-10 automation. In equipping these units for the up and coming (this time for sure, or so we have been told, again) the dreaded cyan sound-tracks, we are using C.E.'s kit for converting from the infa-red to bright-red l.e.d. units. To save us the time of converting the EL-2A supplies (which we are quite capable of) to prevent l.e.d. burn-out if incorrectly polarized, we have instead been given the EL-40 units. The 40's are quite compact, (although I wish they had made them mechanically replaceable for the EL-2A's). The thing is this: In the past, in order to preserve the 770nM life in other units, we had simply wired the power line of the EL-2's across the motor "on" terminals at the automation. Thus when the motor came on, the exciter came on also. If you happened (seldom, but it could happen) to turn on the motor with the cinema processor in an optical format, it created a "thump" which not only woke up the audience, but cleaned the cobwebs out of the speaker systems. Mind you, we are de-powering the pre-amps at intermission too - not really sure if this is a good thing although there have been no failures in almost 100 conversions. The 40's however offer an intriguing possibility. Two 1/4" push-on terminals offer a way in which; (a) if the terminals are not connected, the l.e.d. will remain on. (b) if the terminals are shorted, the l.e.d. will turn off Not only this, but there is a "ramp" to the on and off conditions that prevents that "thump" in the speakers. I am trying to come up with a simple way in which this could be used for both automatic and manual running conditions. Please bear in mind that these are used by less-than experienced operators so the addition of an extra switch for them to operate is NOT a good idea. I have thought of putting a 110-volt relay across the motor "on terminals and wiring these two lugs to the normally closed contacts of the relay. Is there a simpler solution?  |  IP: Logged Stan Gunn Expert Film Handler Posts: 176 From: Clematis, in the hills near Melbourne Australia Registered: Aug 2000 posted 04-29-2003 04:09 AM                        YOU CANT GET MUCH MORE IDIOT PROOF THAN THAT  |  IP: Logged Jean-Michel Grin Expert Film Handler Posts: 222 From: Geneva & Lausanne, Switzerland Registered: Jul 2002 posted 04-29-2003 05:12 AM                        I think you could use two solution: Using a Bi-stable state relay and connecting it in parallel with the changeover control command or, Using a delayed relay in parallel with the "motor On" command. In this case pay attention to check that the TA-21 automation system give a pulse to the sound processor to switch it in non-sync format to prevent what I call "the famous tail-out sound !" in the theater. I hope that can hel You. Sorry formy weak english ! best regards  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-01-2003 08:49 AM                     Wanna place your bets on the cyan prints getting a wide release this year? Steve  |  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.