The motion picture projectionist (Nov 1931-Jan 1933)

18 Motion Picture Projectionist October, 1932 How Many Can You Solve Yourself ? Since talking pictures replaced silent films, sound heads, amplifiers and speakers have claimed much of the projectionist's attention. And this quite rightly since the competent projectionist should be familiar with the entire installation. However, the projectionist should not forget that the motion picture projector is still essentially what its name implies and that on its smooth functioning as such good sound reproduction is dependent. The uninterrupted operation of the projection equipment is something entirely within the projectionist's responsibility. The following is a list of "troubles" which may develop in the most modern motion picture equipment. How many of them can you solve yourself? ARC CONTROLLER: Device operates poorly Device fails to operate Device continues to operate after the table Switch is opened. BELL OR BUZZER SIGNAL SYSTEM: Bell (or buzzer) does not operate Device operates intermittently Bell (or buzzer) sounds continuously System works when new battery is used, but soon fails to operate DOUSERS: Dousers open and close too early or too late Dousers fail to operate Dousers open or close too far FILM: Film is unusually dry or brittle Film adheres in spots Film adheres throughout its entire length FILM DURING PROJECTION: Film pulls apart in the Projector Film runs off sprocket damaging film Film pulls apart where old style friction takeup is used. Film rips and tears while being projected FILM: (INSPECTION AFTER RUNNING) Damage noted in film after the first run — in new film especially FILM: (AFTER REWINDING) Film shows tears and nicks Film is unusually dirty and dusty after rewinding "Rain" develops while running the film "Rain" develops while rewinding FUSES: Fuse blows out New fuse blows after an interval New fuse does not blow out but the line remains dead Fuses blow out when arc is struck (where 3-wire system is used) HOUSE LIGHTS: Some lights burn too brightly, others are too dim at same time. Emergency lights go out, house lights still burn. LAMPHOUSE: Lamphouse is "live" (It is charged with electricity and produces a shock if touched) Lamphouse becomes overheated LAMP MECHANISM: Moving parts of the lamp work with difficulty Arcing occurs between carbon and jaws Carbon jaws pit and roughen HIGH INTENSITY LAMP: (MECHANICAL TROUBLES) ' H. I. Hand feed work with difficulty Emergency: Arc current fails when using D.C. H. I. Positive carbon fails to feed Positive carbon fails to rotate or turn in shield; One carbon burns out quicker than the MAZdVfILAMENT LAMP: (MECHANICAL TROUBLES) Mirror breaks upon insertion or soon afterwards. Mirror looks dull or dirty REFLECTOR ARC LAMP: (MECHANICAL TROUBLES) Mirror backing continually chips or flakes off Mirror surface pits Occasional aperture fires occur when using Reflector Arc LIGHT SOURCE: No current at arc Series arc: One goes out when other arc is struck Polarity changes so that upper carbon becomes negative Brilliance of arc seems less than usual Arc is very unsteady Arc unsteady, with H. I. Lamp A. C. Arc very noisy Arc flames badly and burns in a puffy manner Arc fluctuates though carbons are right and contacts clean and tight. Arc unstable, even goes out, with Reflector Arc Lamps. Arc amperage very high (Excessive) when arc is struck, becomes normal after arm burns awhile. LIGHT SOURCE: (CARBONS) Crater "Wanders" about Carbons have very short life Short carbon life with H. I. Crater area is small ' Carbon needles, spindles and pencils Carbon shattered by striking Arc Carbon develops mushroom (button) point (also known as "Freezing of Arc") Carbon Core burns away, recesses Carbon core blows out Carbons cause sputtering, hissing Carbons burn with Lip or Overhang Carbon "Lips" when using Reflector Arc LIGHT SOURCE: (FILAMENT LAMPS) Bulb looks blackened Dark spot shows in Filament Coils Lamps have very short life Mirror images do not fall exactly between Filament images. Lamp is blown out when Projector Table Switch is pulled. LENSES: (OPTICAL TRAIN) Condenser breakage excessive Condensers become discolored Condensers pit badly Lenses seem streaky Rear element retaining ring binds when element is removed for cleaning. MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER: Rectifier does not work on starting up Tube does not tilt When tilted by hand, tube does not start; when tilted by shaking magnet, tube does not tilt Tube lights, but goes out Tube is tilted by shaking magnet but does not return to vertical position Tube tilts and returns but does not flash Tube tilts, flashes, then goes out Tube tilts feebly Tube starts and keeps on tilting Device is very noisy MOTORS AND MOTOR GENERATORS: Undue wear and other damages show up Coils and winding, especially around Commutator, seem damaged. Weakened insulation is visible. BEARING: Ball bearings are roughened or completely ruined Bearings show undue wear Bearings are grooved Brushes wear excessively Brushes stick in holders Brushes make poor contact "Bucking" (Arcing between adjacent brush arms) STARTING TROUBLES: : Device fails to start when proper starting instructions are followed Set operates but does not attain full speed Motor revolves in wrong direction Set does not pick up readily Set does not deliver full voltage OPERATION OF SET: Set loses original efficiency Set is noisy Unusual bad vibration Motor does not deliver desired amperage .Motor does not .deliver desired voltage Characteristics of set change when new brushes are installed Whole set seems to1 overheat ARMATURE TROUBLES: Armature overheats i Armature wabbles Armature heats up suddenly BALL BEARING: Ball bearings leak oil Sleeve bearings leak oil Sleeve bearings heat-up Ball bearings run noisly and show wear Waste packed bearings heat-up COMMUTATOR TROUBLES: Commutator bars are short circuited Commutator overheats Commutator is grooved Commutator is cut and rough Commutator shows ring of fire all around FIELD COILS: Field coils overheat SPARKING: VOLTAGE: Voltage fluctuates badly Voltage does not build up as it should when set is started Low Voltage continues Voltage builds although set is running idle (Series arc. equipment) PICTURE DEFECTS: Action is not natural, but is fast, small, jerky, etc. Clearness of picture is reduced after lenses are removed and replaced Clearness of picture is reduced after new lens is installed Definition becomes poor, clearness is reduced Flashes of white light show on screen during projection FLICKER: Flicker shows when new screen has been installed Flicker noticeable when amperage is increased Flicker increases when size of picture is increased Flicker noticeable with two-wing shutter Flicker is noticeable when projection speed is reduced FOCUS: Focus is not sharp: Keystone effect is pronounced Focus appears sharp from projection room, but is poor in parts of auditorium Focus bad, out of focus, in-and-out effect LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE SCREEN: Blue spot in picture or in light in center of screen. Definition of picture poor Detail lacking in screen result Dirty, smoky, smudgy, light effect on screen Light seems to get bright and fade away with A.C. arc Light on screen poor with Mazda Lacking detail in picture with Mazda Light unusually poor with Mazda Poor light with High Intensity Arc Uneven, unsteady high intensity light Poor lighting with Reflector Arc Lighting glarey and harsh when light source is changed Glare spots show up Gray, flat picture; no contrast Light shows outside screen area Light loses brilliancy Picture less brilliant at some points in auditorium than in others Light streaky with Mazda projection Shadow appears near top, bottom, or side of screen Unsteady picture Unsteadiness, side motion of picture Unsteady picture although Projector is in perfect adjustment Picture seems to float about on screen TRAVEL GHOST: Travel ghost shows up Travel ghost comes and disappears Travel ghost pronounced Tr-avel ghost; picture seems to crawl up on screen Uneven light. Noticeable most on plain screen STEREOPTICON TROUBLES: (NOTICEABLE ON THE SCREEN) Stereoptican picture smudgy looking Ghost in center of stereoptican picture Yellow corners in stereoptican picture Both pictures of dissolving stereoptican fail to be in register Stereoptican device shows break in a condenser although projector does not Shadow of carbons and (or) holder appear when using reflector arc for stereoptican Stereoptican slides crack excessively PROJECTOR: Fire shatter (automatic) sluggish Fire shutter rises slowly, drops too soon if speed is slightly reduced Fire shutter fails to work Film buckles Film climbs sprocket Friction drive of arc controller or motor drive wears excessively Friction material develops flat spots Friction drive fails to operate projector Friction drive operates off and on