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Author Topic: Damage when projector is left closed? Keith Peticolas Expert Film Handler Posts: 108 From: Eagle River, Alaska, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 09-05-2005 06:22 PM                     Howdy film gods. I have 6 Century SA's and one child projectionist who believes leaving the projectors in the closed position overnight is not damaging. What is the exact damage we can look foward to because of this? This is being done on an almost regular basis.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 09-05-2005 06:28 PM                     Keith, define "closed" Do you mean the gate? If so, is it a single lens or turreted machine? The general rule on all sprung devices (not just gates) is to leave sprung things in their most relaxed state to minimize them wearing out. As to the Century gate...if it is a single lens system...I've had more trouble with the closer spring than the tension bands. As such, I leave a single lens Century gate closed overnight...for turrets, I leave em open.  |  IP: Logged Keith Peticolas Expert Film Handler Posts: 108 From: Eagle River, Alaska, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 09-05-2005 06:38 PM                     Thanks Steve, single lens. I meant by leaving the pads/rollers down on sprokets and gate engaged. Was always drilled into me that this was kiss of death.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 09-05-2005 07:04 PM                     The pad rollers couldn't care less...the are in a bi-stable arrangement so either open or close are equally non-stressful...the gate, I would leave closed...the SG-14 spring is more likely to wear out faster than the SH-1811 tension bands from being pressured over night. Arguements can and have been made both ways here...I speak from personal experience and preference...you findings may vary.  |  IP: Logged Keith Peticolas Expert Film Handler Posts: 108 From: Eagle River, Alaska, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 09-05-2005 07:20 PM                     Thanks again. Will put it in the consideration hat.  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 09-05-2005 07:58 PM                     We've always left everything in the open position. Never heard the tension reason before, I'd always thought it was a courtesy for the incoming projectionist the next day.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 09-05-2005 09:26 PM                     On most machines, leaving things closed is better. (Christie projectors are the first exception I can think of, as they are happier left open.) Again as Steve said, you want the springs to be relaxed. I have yet to have a problem with gate bands wearing out on ANY machine. This assumes you are keeping your prints properly lubricated though. Theaters that don't will find that not only will their bands wear faster, but their sprockets will get hooked significantly faster.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-05-2005 10:02 PM                     quote: Brad Miller I have yet to have a problem with gate bands wearing out on ANY machine. This assumes you are keeping your prints properly lubricated though. Theaters that don't will find that not only will their bands wear faster, but their sprockets will get hooked significantly faster. I'll back up Brad on that statement. Film Guard DOES make a huge difference in preventing gate band wear. Theatres that I service that use FilmGuard never replace bands... well ok, after three or four years of use!! Theatres that don't use it need them every year or sooner. Christie bands are extremely thin and wear even quicker, sometimes needing twice yearly replacement to maintain picture good steadiness and to keep dust levels down. Mark  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 09-05-2005 10:20 PM                     Nope Mark, I have NEVER had to change bands in a FG theater. EVER! If you are seeing that at your theaters, then the staff isn't really using the cleaners religiously once you walk out the door. I only see pictures getting steadier as time goes by, regardless of projector model.  |  IP: Logged Jason Whitlock Film Handler Posts: 28 From: Raleigh, NC, USA Registered: Mar 2005 posted 09-06-2005 12:15 AM                     on our Christie M35GP's we open the gate and the ultramittent shoe.. and leave all the pad rollers closed as those stupid horseshoe springs that break easily are relaxed in that position.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 09-06-2005 01:14 AM                     Okey, let's drift over to the Simplex 35, or commonly know as the "XL" head: Trap and Gate open, or closed during the night? Normally, I open the trap and gate, but was wondering on the massive spring that keeps the gate closed to whereas I now keep the gate closed at night. Would it then be the same as the "SL" machine? Christie - Christie 35 and the P35GPS machines, I always left the gate swung open being no spring pressure to keep it closed. ..and the same with the Cine V5 machines. But closed on the V8's. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 09-06-2005 04:00 AM                     You've got it right Monte. And yes, the XL - leave it shut.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-06-2005 07:50 AM                     quote: Brad Miller If you are seeing that at your theaters, then the staff isn't really using the cleaners religiously once you walk out the door. Although quite a few locations buy FG I am lucky if they ACTUALLY use it... to much like work ya know for todays kids.... Mark  |  IP: Logged Mark J. Marshall Film God Posts: 3188 From: New Castle, DE, USA Registered: Aug 2002 posted 09-06-2005 08:45 AM                    We actually do keep things Film Guarded religiously at our theater, and come to think of it... you're right, our bands are in excellent shape. I had to replace a couple when I started a few years ago because they had dings on them, but haven't replaced any since. I never put the two together. For what it's worth, we open everything every night on our Simplex 1050s.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-06-2005 09:08 AM                     In the theatres we service we recomend the trap be left closed at night with the trap door removed that way the closure springs are left relaxed and the bands are left with no pressure on them as well I preffer the pads left open and the pinch roller on the sound drum must be left open  |  IP: Logged

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