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Iris problem


Bad_Rock

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Have you tried putting a bit of lubricant on them? What heads are they on? If it is something like a mac or a robe I would be very,very worried. If it is a cheep disco head then it might be slightly better, as they have just cut a few corners in the way they have machined them.

 

HTH, I could be wrong though

Rich

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I think the obvious answer is to speak to the dealer/manufacturer if they are brand new and you feel they are not working to the correct specification.

 

If this is indeed the case, they will be obliged to replace the unit/repair.

 

David

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never, ever stick lubricant onto an iris. It's at the hottest part of the beam, and unless it is 100% the right stuff, it burns on and the iris jams. A lot of firms who rent out follow spots send you VERY large bills if you lubricate an iris - worst stuff I ever used was WD40 - goes black and lumpy and virtually impossible to get off without scouring, and that means pressure - which again doesn't do the iris any good at all.
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My two Pearl River follow spots have the most amazingly loud stepper motors I have ever heard - opening and closing the iris and operating the dimmer really does make a noise - your 'scary' description sounds quite like mine, and may actually be quite normal! - especially if they are both the same.
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I am confused here, if they are new then of course you go back to where you got them, they are not meeting the specification!?!?

 

The manufacturer is very far? What does this mean? Located in another country? Then go through the dealer from which you bought these items...

You did go to a proper dealer for such a purchase and not off the back of a lorry did you?

 

If you did get them cheap, I think you have found the reason why; if not the manufacturer is your port of call...

 

Poppadom

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not meeting the spec? if the iris is smooth, then what bit of the spec isn't being met. it may just be part of the design. one of the hazards of mail order. if you get one to test, or try one out in a dealers, you get to test them - other than that, you take it as it is? sale of goods act won't help if the product isn't faulty - just noisy.
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The manufacturer is very far? What does this mean? Located in another country?
Bad Rock is in Uruguay, and my school-boy geography has that a long way from nearly everywhere! :mods:

 

I know how he feel's, I come originally from Cornwall and sometimes when you order things it feels very similar!

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If you want to try lubricating it the only thing you should ever use on an iris is powdered graphite. (I worked in a followspot dept for a bit, and the boss would swear long and hard about irises, and most flightcases had a warning inside about the bill for gumming up the iris) People often try using PTFE spray, (teflon) which as mentioned melts and ruins it!

 

As mentioned though, unless you have some identical movers that dont make the same horrible noise its probably just a "feature". I have some VL1000's that can make some fairly horrible noises depending on what your doing!

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Have you tried putting a bit of lubricant on them? What heads are they on? If it is something like a mac or a robe I would be very,very worried. If it is a cheep disco head then it might be slightly better, as they have just cut a few corners in the way they have machined them.

 

HTH, I could be wrong though

Rich

 

mmm, you obviously havent used Macs that often then ;) , I have 6 250 entours and during one show was resetting one of them every 5 minutes bacause the colour wheel kept slipping :P . And thats not unusual with Mac250s :( .

 

Powdered graphite! Or you will trash you iris ! (And Penny will bill you!)

 

I have some VL1000's that can make some fairly horrible noises depending on what your doing!

 

I feel better so B-)

 

The oddest thing is how loud some things are, compared to everything else (like gobo rotation, thats really loud!) . The joys of cheap stepper motors....

Mind you I have a VL1000 with a dodgy connection, every now and then the gobo wheel sits there making horrible noises and doesnt stop :blink: dont even mention dealer support! ;)

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never, ever stick lubricant onto an iris. It's at the hottest part of the beam, and unless it is 100% the right stuff, it burns on and the iris jams. A lot of firms who rent out follow spots send you VERY large bills if you lubricate an iris - worst stuff I ever used was WD40 - goes black and lumpy and virtually impossible to get off without scouring, and that means pressure - which again doesn't do the iris any good at all.

 

Yes, I don't mean WD40 or your DIY shop hinge oil! For a start some lubricants are flammable. I am talking about heat resistance grease or heat resistance bearing oil, either is good. I'm sure you can also get some form of iris oil, although as long as you get some form of heat proof oil you should be ok. Don't over lube and make sure you do use the right stuff. Oh yes and Graphite powder is one of the best things for it, it will garenee not to burn.

 

Rich

 

EDIT: I diddnt read down far enough, andrewR has already suggested it! Oh well

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