Thanks for the comments, guys. And a BIG thanks to Bill for posting these for me! To fill in some info on the pics:
#1: Shows the Frank Adams "Major System" logo. It is normally backlit by the worklights on the front of the board.
#2: The deadfront, a very nicely done unit. All handles are indetified by solid brass engraved plates. (Like the ones in the contactor pics.) The large handles with white, green and red tops are masters which operate selected groups of dimmers. The red one is the "Grand Master" which can control ALL the dimmers at once. (It is also able to be motor-driven, see pic in next thread.) Each of the small handles can be turned to set it to operate independantly or with a master. (Horizontal is normal, vertical is tied to master, IIRC)
#3: The original wire bundles feeding to the lights and other devices throughout the theater. All are the old rubber/asbestos covered and are in surprisingly good condition.
#4: All dimmers terminate into this set of terminals. The wiring leading to these is a work of art!
#5: Inside one of the compartments. The transformer in the box was, I think, formerly powering the buzzer/phone between the projection booth, stage and lobby. The newer THHN passing thru leads to a modern sub-panel mounted on the side of the gear for the new projector and lamphouse.
#6: All lighting goes through a contactor like these. Despite thier age and a lot of cycling, most of these are in very good condition. Some, as you'll see in #8 and 9, however, have some issues...
#7: The buss and wiring behind the contactors.
#8: This contactor has a bad habit of not opening completely, with the result being a lot of arcing. The string you see leading off to the left was at one time attached to a small weight on the outside of the compartment door. After a close call despite the weight, the string now continues on to the booth where the operator gives it a tug to ensure the contactor opens! This controls the red screen wash lights.
#9: OOPS!! This contactor gave everyone a scare when the pressure spring for the lefthand contact failed, allowing a sustained flaming arc which threatened to get out of hand. A few shots with a dry-chem extinguisher put it out. IIRC it serves the blue wall wash lights, whose dimmer also failed...there is a short in the line somewhere which has yet to be located.
The contactors are going to be the downfall of this system eventually, as they are all showing signs of contact erosion and there is copper dust all over the place in the contactor cabinets, I have advised the building's rep to get them vacuumed out soon.
second edit for spelling
[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 12-18-2005).]
[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 12-18-2005).]
