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

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Community   » Film-Yak   » Storing/running film equipment in an Oklahoma garage?

Author Topic: Storing/running film equipment in an Oklahoma garage? Matthew McBride Film Handler Posts: 97 From: Tupelo, MS USA Registered: Oct 2011 posted 01-08-2013 01:41 PM                     I tried searching on the forum, though I couldn't find an answer. I would like to store and run my film equipment in my garage. It is a finished garage that is attached to my house but I don't know if it is insulated. I can't do major changes to it as we are only renting it. Right now all the equipment is doing is sitting in a spare bedroom that is too small to use it in. I would like to use it, though I am wondering if there are any dangers in using and storing it in the garage, as temps can get fairly high in this region during the summer months, plus the fluxuation of highs and lows during day to night. More over I would like to use my digital projector and such out there as well. Any insight is appreciated. If necessary the equipment is as follows: Christie SLC30 modded to run 1000 watt bulbs, Christie P35GP, Dolby CP500, and Strong AP3. Thanks.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-08-2013 02:10 PM                        I think that I would be more concerned about the film and about the video projector than I would about the film projector and associated equipment. Drive-in booths are typically not heated or cooled, and the equipment seems to do fine anyway. Note that anything rubber (belts, etc.) will likely deteriorate faster in a hot environment, but I don't see why the projection equipment would not be happy to sit in a garage (don't store film there, though...it needs a more controlled environment). I might be a bit worried about dust, but that, too, will affect film more than it will the projector.  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 01-08-2013 02:17 PM                     ^^^ What Scott said. The 35mm projector, platter and console will generally not be bothered at all by storage in the temps. It would of course be a good idea to warm up the equipment for about 5-10 minutes if cold, before running a film. The heat shouldn't be too big of a factor either because if it is so hot in the garage you can't stand to be in there you won't be running a movie anyways. The CP500's LCD might behave oddly when it it cold but won't be damaged. If it is so hot that the LCD is acting up then it is too hot to be operating the equipment safely IMHO. The platter's behavior might also be sluggish when cold..check it before running a print. Otherwise dirt is gonna be your biggest problem. Unless the garage is finished (which in a rental is unlikely) you will be constantly fighting to keep things clean.  |  IP: Logged Matthew McBride Film Handler Posts: 97 From: Tupelo, MS USA Registered: Oct 2011 posted 01-09-2013 10:29 AM                     Thanks for the input guys. My other spare bedroom is were I keep my films, so that I can try to keep it as climate/temp controlled as I possibly can with dehumidifier and all. I only plan on taking the film out there when I watch a movie. The garage is actually finished, at least with drywall anyways as we have a small attic space above it. A few more concerns is, should I be worried about wire coverings melting or lenses cracking? Also, this may seem stupid considering that the bulbs run at a much higher temp, though they have cooling fans, but should I worry about the bulbs sitting in such heat when not running?  |  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.