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Author Topic: Failsafe Shutdown Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-10-2006 10:40 AM                        I'm looking for a way to add a tensioning failsafe to both my booths. Currently I have NO type of automation whatsoever. Each night I turn everything on manually - one switch at a time. In Booth 1, I have a Strong AP3 platter, a Simplex XL projector and sound head, and a Xenex II 4kw lamphouse. In Booth 2, I have the same Strong AP3 platter, a Brenkert BX-60 projector,RCA 9030 sound head, and a Christie 4kw lamphouse. I want to be able to have the whole system shut itself off in case of a brainwrap or something similar, but don't need alot of fancy bells and whistles. Any ideas? This is all at a twin screen drive-in, if that makes any difference.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-10-2006 10:53 AM                     You could either build a homemade tension failsafe or buy one already fabricated. Neumade makes an excellent one for this purpose. Since you don't have ANY form of automation, you will have to build yourself something out of relays to control the projector, lamp and platter power. (On the lamp, just wire it into one of the safety door closures, not the actual AC power.) Honestly I think it would be cheaper to get a low end used automation and go from there.  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-10-2006 11:07 AM                     I had the same need, and built a couple of tension failsafes out of junk we had lying around. I mounted a film roller on a pivoted arm, with a spring providing holdback tension - if there was a brainwrap, the tension on the film would build up and the arm would move and trip a switch wired to the automation. I'll try to put up a picture later in the week. It works beautifully for a situation where the film is wrapping and tension increases gradually. Unfortunately if there's a jam at the brain it won't stop the system fast enough to keep the projector from doing some damage as it coasts to a stop. I'll leave it to someone else to advise you how something like this could rigged to stop a non-automated system.  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: California, U.S.A. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-10-2006 01:12 PM                     Personally I'd pick up a used TA10/FM35. I imagine all you really would automate is sound format right? A little automation never hurt anyone.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-10-2006 01:24 PM                        Why not just connect the film failsafe to the lamp failsafe? Since you have a drive-in, the chorus of car horns will make an adequate substitute for for an alarm buzzer.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 01-10-2006 04:13 PM                        This is part of Installation. Whoever performed your installation should have at least left you with a way to cut off lamp & motor when the platter rollers drop. (Cost of one switch and 1 relay) Some wire up a bell to sound when the arm drops. (Add the cost of a bell and a switch to shut it down.) Had this happened, you could easily add a tension switch to open when too much tension occured. This is standard stuff; routine in every way. Suggest you talk to the guy who accepted your money. I would never leave anyone this way,. Louis  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-14-2006 02:03 AM                     Here's my tension switch, mounted on a Speco. The spring's from a screen stretcher.  |  IP: Logged Chris Erwin Expert Film Handler Posts: 195 From: Olive Hill,KY Registered: Oct 1999 posted 01-15-2006 10:38 AM                     We use a Eprad Co-Operator with the "manual overide" option (wire a hot feed to the motor switch in case the relays crap and you're screwed) Thing is as simple as your mama's washing machine. Horse traded for it and it does all we need to do. Monitors two fails. I've got a microswitch rigged in the head so if I lose the top loop, off she goes. Looks like someone missed a changeover. The other is in the soundhead. Have Louis make you something and don't lose sleep over it again.  |  IP: Logged

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