SpotLight Question

My school has 2-15 year old Satellite 2's They are great, but they are really loud, is there anything that we can do to modify them to make them bearable to use?

 

Exactly what is making all the noise?

 

Noise usually comes from the two cooling fans. Go through the fixture and tighten every screw and nut/bolt. It should reduce the noise level.

 

If it's not the nuts/bolts making the noise, but it's comming from the fan. take the cover off of the fan (make sure unit is in the off position) and oil the fan. Also, make sure that there isn'r anything that is hitting the fan blades.

Out spot is like 9 yrs. old and ust to make noise. We did what I said above and for the most part, it stoped.
-Ray

 

Don't just make sure it's off- if at all possible UNPLUG IT!!! You can't imagine how many time's I've been shocked by things that are "off," and it always surprises you, too. Better safe than sorry!

 

i assume that since you are recomending it teflon juice has a high enough flash point that it will not ingnite if i spray some on the iris, etc.

 

yeah, i'm an idiot, flourocarbons dont ingnite very fast do they....
i only asked after considery spraying our schools spots with WD-40. i then realised that that might be stupid.

 

Actually it is the Iris Adjustment lever along with all the fans.

 

It is also the Huge Vibrating power supply that sits on the floor near the Spotlight.

 

I'm Not about to go tearing a $2000 power supply just to see if i could make it stop vibrating. I might be able to se it on some foam or a piece of cardboard to absorb the Vibrations.

 

thats a given

 

I'm going to assume that you are a student in a high school?

You shouldn't be tearing anything down at your high school that involves electricity without the appropriate people knowing. You are going to walk yourself into a big world of hurt if you make a mistake.

Let your drama advisor/teacher know. They will know the appropriate routes to take to get the fixture repaired by a professional.

At my school I will only let my students make cables. When it comes to working on a fixture I do the work and they watch. Maybe when they get the experience that I have had (and believe me... it isn't a lot compared to the other geniuses on this board) they'll be ready. But until then... no way. Goof painting a scene and you can repaint it. Goof farting around with electricity and you'll be dead.

Please be careful.

On the balast note... be careful. Some balasts have an oil in them that... at the very least... stinks like concentrated burning steel wool. I can't help but think that if the oil smells like that, it must be something pretty nasty.

 

I am a high school student and let me make my intentions clear I am not going to be tearing apart a $5000 Followspot, i am just trying to find out what modifications other people have done, and if they have had sucess. And from there i will sugust some of these ideas to my superiors.

I may be a teenager, but i have a sense of responsibility, i hate being stereotyped based on the popular belief that teenagers are full of rebellion. My parents on the other hand taught me right from wrong at a very early age. I can't say that other teenagers, or the ones that you work with. I have earned the trust of many people and i have never let any of them down