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Author Topic: Potts Platter (W/Microswitch) Problem With Thrown Print Patrick Matthews Film Handler Posts: 86 From: Kansas City, MO, USA Registered: Sep 2004 posted 12-17-2005 05:57 PM                     I am running the Potts Platter with the microswitch model brain and a Pro-35 Projector. Today I noticed that the payout from the brain was lagging a bit. The brain was letting the film wrap about halfway around and then it would catch up. While I know this wasn't right it wasn't huring anything at the moment. I then ran a show from my bottom platter deck with the same brain, same problems. This time however when it got about 3 minutes from the end of the print the platter was going so fast it through the remaining part of the print off the platter. Is there an adjustment I need to make on the brain/microswitch or is the thing going bad? BTW, it was working fine yesterday.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-17-2005 07:08 PM                     Sounds to me like you have the older micro switches. If it takes a half a turn or more of film wrap to get the switch to click on that itself is the clue. You need to get three new micros that have .5 oz bat tennsion on them. These .5 oz micros will make the Potts, or Strong platters run incredibly smooth. Be sure to get them from a dealer that KNOWS about these switches, or order new ones from Potts, but they are generally less expensive from a dealer. We buy them in bulk at least 100 at a time..... ACHTUNG!... IMPORTANT!!! Replace them every two years no matter what for trouble free operation. Be sure the switch clicks in the middle of its travel annd.....they have also been known to stick in the on position. Sometimes the contacts will weld themselves together..... Mark  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-17-2005 09:19 PM                     By older microswitch do you mean the kind with the little wheel on the end of them? Few years ago I was told they don't even make those anymore.  |  IP: Logged Patrick Matthews Film Handler Posts: 86 From: Kansas City, MO, USA Registered: Sep 2004 posted 12-18-2005 12:08 AM                     if that is what an "old" microswitch is then I don't have one (unless you are talking about a wheel that isn't obvious)  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-18-2005 02:22 AM                     ..check your motor brushes while you're at it. Tired brushes could cause platter rotation to lag and eventually stop. I thought it was my switches (on a Balco platter, which is like the Potts..and which I converted the brain to the newer blade type as what the newer STRONG brains uses..with a bit of modification and this conversion that I did makes the brain run TONS better than those roller type switches), and found out that one of the motor brushes have seen better days. Sudden changeout of brushes got this deck up to normal operation (in as well as the switch conversion..) -Monte  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: Boulder Creek, CA. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 12-18-2005 10:25 AM                     I'd check and see what the microswitch is and get the next one down. I.e. one that needs less force to opperate the deck. I think I saw something about that on here a while back.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-18-2005 01:50 PM                     quote: Aaron Mehocic Few years ago I was told they don't even make those anymore. Oh, no. They are still being made from numerous manufacturers that would charge less than STRONG.  |  IP: Logged Patrick Matthews Film Handler Posts: 86 From: Kansas City, MO, USA Registered: Sep 2004 posted 12-19-2005 09:23 AM                     Are these microswitches hard to change out? I am fairly new to projection and was kind of forced in without much training (I run a single screen so I have little help around).  |  IP: Logged Brad Allen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 688 From: Evansville, IN, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 12-19-2005 01:11 PM                     No not hard at all. Two wires, and two nuts. After you install the new one, adjust the micro switch so you hear it click at mid travel of the arm. Then tighten the hardware down.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-19-2005 01:16 PM                     You might have to check this a few times before tightening down the hardware for the proper travel. [ 12-19-2005, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Monte L Fullmer ]  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-19-2005 03:46 PM                        Tension is pretty tricky. I use gravity to find the exact place where the least tension is found then lock down the hardware. Louis  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-19-2005 10:59 PM                     quote: Monte L Fullmer Oh, no. They are still being made from numerous manufacturers that would charge less than STRONG. Monte, There is really only one manufacturer of this switch I have found over the years that actually works reliably over a several year span and thats the one made by Microswitch. I like the old saying....There may be others that fit but there is only one that really works . Mark  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-20-2005 01:05 AM                     Hey Mark, Is Microswitch the one that you stock there at Claco?  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-20-2005 08:44 AM                     I have been using the equivelent from Omron for years and it has proven stable and reliable  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-20-2005 12:29 PM                     That is what I use now are the Omron switches is pleased with them. I've heard that Honeywell switches are good as well.  |  IP: Logged

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