[Harris]

My VuTec Lectric II In-Ceiling Screen has begun to emit a loud squeaking noise when the screen is descending. There is no squeak when it is going up. It has been in use (average 2x per month) for around 5 years. The noise got much louder recently when the screen was put through several up/down cycles in succession (due to an unrelated problem in the current activitated ON switch).


Does anyone know if this screen periodically requires oil or grease?? As one looks inside the screen box in the ceiling, when facing the screen, on the right side the steel shaft is visable as it is inserted into a black metal plate (it is hidden by other mechanisms on the left). I wonder if this area can be lubricated lightly, and if this is part of "periodic maintenance".


I would very much appreciate any feedback on this!




[This message has been edited by Harris (edited 05-27-2001).]

 

[Vic C]

I would think,since you have had the screen installed for quite a while it is possible the the greese has dried up and is not lubricating the moving parts normally.


I have seen on some other screens have openings that allow the user to insert a small "needle" type oiler to refresh gears and shafts and such parts that tend to move.


In your case, it seems that your screen stays un used more then it is used, compaired to me I use my system everyday, but I have a fixed frame anyway. The screen box may need a light cleaning since it has been installed for 5 years, it might be somewhat dusty and that will dry out oil and greese fast. If possible you may be able to just shoot in some WD40 and that may make the squeeking stop. Just be carfull not to have the stuff leek all over the fabric. It might discolor the surface.


[This message has been edited by VR Audio Systems (edited 05-28-2001).]

 

[Harris]

Thanks very much for the reply. This morning I did just as you had suggested, but used teflon grease which I assume would be less likely to run (got it at RadioShack, of all places..). It worked perfectly, and the noise completely stopped. I guess this is part of normal maintenance. It would have been nice if the manufacturer mentioned this in their literature.



BTW,you were quite correct,it was dusty in there!


One other question re the limited use of the screen (your kind of frequency of use is what I should be doing !..)

I noticed whenever the screen comes down, it "sticks" a bit as it unravels, and (perhaps as a consequence) there is a dark streak of about 4 inches in length by 1/32" wide, at about the halfway point of the white screen surface; it is either some type of black material from the BACK of the screen roll, or (I hope not) some of the white material has actually come off. It is hard to tell which it is, by looking at it. I wonder if this is a common problem or not.