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Author Topic: Christie igniter Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 06-01-2003 04:39 AM                        I just had the igniter in a Christie lamphouse say goodbye. It doesn`t buzz anymore, but buzzed away (pun intended, though maybe not a very good one). Anyway, I was told it had just been replaced 2 weeks ago. Is there a known problem with the rectifiers that might cause them to kill the igniters serially?  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-01-2003 08:26 AM                     Does it looked like the connections were overheated? There are many components that could fail but usually it is due to overheating or the igniton relay keeping energized forever  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-01-2003 08:52 AM                     Actually they can usually be repaired. Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged German Marin Expert Film Handler Posts: 227 From: Verbania (VB), Italy Registered: Jul 2001 posted 06-01-2003 10:21 AM                     When the little red capacitors is dead the igniter doesn't work. When a diode is gone the igniter doesn't strike. We've not had problems with our 15 Christie's igniter. I just don't trust in Christie's rectifiers.  |  IP: Logged Rick McCluney Film Handler Posts: 66 From: Ocean Springs, MS, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 06-01-2003 02:20 PM                     From what I have seen the high voltage transformer in the igniter will go out. You can just replace that rather than replacing the whole igniter. Rick  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 06-01-2003 05:48 PM                        There is no (visible) indication of overheating and the diodes are good. I have not had time yet to look at all the components closely, but will do so later. Do the transformers and relays in these units fail often? The reason I am asking is that I haven`t worked with these as much as with other systems. I am thinking about building up a little storage of the parts that are most likely to fail to make us more independent and emergency-prepared.  |  IP: Logged Jon Bartow Master Film Handler Posts: 287 From: Massachusetts Registered: Nov 1999 posted 06-01-2003 08:56 PM                     Rick is right, the HV transformers fail a lot. Someone told me that they had a bad batch of them a few years ago. At one theater that I service I have had about a dozen fail in the last two years. Look very carefully at the transformer. Look at the edges of the windings where they dissapear behind the core/plastic cover. Do you see any discoloration (may only look like a light dusting of black or grey powder)? If so it is a tell-tale sign that the HV trans is dead. Even if you don't, it still could be dead. If available, try a known good ignitor in the lamphouse. And as others have said look for any discoloration or visible damage. Jonathan  |  IP: Logged

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