Apollo scroller squeak- maintenance suggestions?

Hi all- looking for some advice with troubleshooting scroller sound. Several of our fixtures have a long slow squeak when scrolling between colors. I’m the visiting LD, and the td does not know the last time the scrollers were serviced. Is there a lubrication protocol for cranky scroller motors? Didn’t see it in the manual or in my search here for “squeaky gel scroller”
Tips appreciated, thanks!

Powder graphite.

Pull the scroll, blow it out, and put some of this on there. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Blaster-5-5-oz-Industrial-Graphite-Dry-Lubricant-Spray-8-GS/202597501

Either graphite or a neat product I found some years ago: DrySlide. Google it.

JonCarter said:

Either graphite or a neat product I found some years ago: DrySlide. Google it.

Click to expand...

All I get is labware with the stuff prebaked; you're suggesting it comes as an aerosol?

Jay Ashworth said:

All I get is labware with the stuff prebaked; you're suggesting it comes as an aerosol?

Click to expand...

Spell it Dri-slide and you'll find it. https://www.drislide.com/

The PB Blaster "dry" graphite is the standard for lighting gear but be warned, its MESSY and is not purely dry powder. It has some VOC's and mild binders in it.

I'm so glad to hear that scrollers are still out there being used. They were pretty cool.

I later figured out that the 4 pin XLR connectors were awesome for wiring up strain gauge systems on bridges.

As many color scrollers are still in use around the world, the best medicine to ensure long life is a careful cleaning with canned air, as dust and debris is tough on optical encoders and a filthy blanket on PCBs. And as mentioned, a dry lubricant applied sparingly will keep these creatures humming for years.

A suggestion for theatres planning to maintain a fleet, small or large, of color scrollers- purchase a spare or two used models and a spare PSU from usedlighting.com, ebay, or your favorite used gear site. You'll be glad you did!