Site Sponsor Robert Houllahan Posted November 24, 2022 Site Sponsor Share Posted November 24, 2022 20 hours ago, Gareth Blackstock said: I had a quick conversation with an electrician regarding 3 phase converters, he said that while a converter would likely get a 3 phase machine running, once the machine started drawing big power the converter would fail. And getting 3 phase connected.... thousands. Film processors are kind of basic machines you could re-wire allot of it for 220v and most likely the drive motor is controlled by a 220v to 90v motor controller. Should not be too hard to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 Whoa there..... im not keen on getting into film processing as a business.... in Australia i reckon that would be a very good way of throwing money away.... in a big hurry! Mostly i was keen as it is thr last machine of its type left running ish in Aussie.... and i do like to tinker.... im not overly phased by the power draw, 3 phase motors can be replaced with modern higher torque single phase motors.... and i looked at the specs Mark linked to, thats a 20 foot processor! Im guessing the one above draws less.... G 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Lymberis Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I'd be keen to find a compact processor available in the UK if anyone here has any leads.... I'm also glad I just moved away from Australia, as am 99% sure I would have bid and made the same journey only to discover its size. Though I probably would have taken it - I have family with a large estate in Grafton, NSW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 So, a quick update on my adventure to get hold of this machine.... I returned to pick it up with a hire ute and a trailer used for bobcat diggers... and using a 2 tonne block and tackle, boat winch, crow bars, ramps, ratchet straps et all...... we finally got the bugger onto the trailer. Getting it home and unloading it alone, my helper abandoned ship early, probably pulled a muscle.... all went well. I threw together this funny little video taken from my security camera. And yes, it is now inside a shed, nice and dry. I needn't lock it away, its not as though anyone can steal it... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 I also took the opportunity to look over the mechanicals.... as I was worried about the 3 phase requirements. Looking at all the motors and pumps, it is only one motor that is 3 phase, the dryer motor (blows hot air into the drying cabinet) All the other electricals are single phase, or can run off house power. So if I remove the drying motor, and use a 3 phase converter... then I may be able to run it without blowing fuses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 And these two large pumps to filter the developer and wash could perhaps not be used until after the processing is finished, further reducing the power draw. I will have to draw myself lots of pictures and diagrams to find my way through which does what.... and what items can be switched independently. I like a challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon O'Brien Posted December 19, 2022 Share Posted December 19, 2022 Wow! Looks amazing. All the best with this project. I once tried to save two enormous, beautifully made cinema projectors in excellent condition from the scrapheap but wasn't able to take on the project. Unlike you I'm not so good at engineering projects and tinkering. It's sort of heart-warming seeing the efforts people are going to to save celluloid motion picture filmmaking and processing in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted December 19, 2022 Author Share Posted December 19, 2022 Hello, Thanks for the support, i like a challenge... and it occured to me that if i ever get around to shooting my stock of expired film and processing it to b&w... without sending to the U.K or U.S, then id better buy my own processor.... or pay $$$$$$ sending it overseas. Future proofing i guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 So a quick update: With advice from an electrician I have wired the processor to run on 240 volts house power, however I have disconnected the two 3 phase motors and heaters, just so I can see if the machine is actually functioning. Well the processor fired up and works very well. I filled the vats with water to help clean and assist with the processor, I figured that as all the rollers are dirty, the built up grime may slow the machine somewhat. I had to manually assist the clear film carrier travel through the vats, obviously some of the rubber rollers need a clean to better grip the film carrier spools that convey the film. The film feed roll system and tension release works well, the take up roller and tension adjust works well, the vat temp gauges work... I could not start the pumps, I am thinking they might be linked to the circuits I disabled. Next step the electrician will hopefully wire up the VFD I bought (converts single phase house power to 3 phase to run such machines) I next lift out the roller assemblies for a wash and fault check and power wash the vats. Once thats all finished I hope to get the machine running, write down the various settings, time how long it takes for film to enter and exit to calculate what speed to run the processor on to properly fix and develop film, install stainless steel sealed tubes to reduce the amount of chemical I will need..... and then run of and shoot heaps of expired stock (of which I have loads) and practice not buggering it all up. Below are links to short clips of the machine rollers turning. https://youtu.be/MHvg0KrrtLs https://youtube.com/shorts/NMHw8LrqKoE?feature=share 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels kakelveld Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Congratulations! It turns, that is good news. Before everything is cleaned and lubricated again though I wouldn't run it too much, the extra strain might damage/wear components at a higher than normal rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Sponsor Robert Houllahan Posted February 14 Site Sponsor Share Posted February 14 Nice! I will respond to your latest email asap and I have some videos of the B&W processor at Cinelab I will send too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Blackstock Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 Thanks for the feedback, it was certainly an awesome moment... like that scene from Frankenstein..."It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive!..etc etc" you get the idea. Thanks also Robert, I figure you're pretty busy... all info is good info right now, lots of gaps in my knowledge of this machine. Gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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