Subjec t to c hange without notic e
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Me c ha ni c a l Pr i nc i p l e s
Understanding the Super Panther III dolly's mec hanic al princ iples helps to avoid errors in operation.
Following is a brief summary of the main points.
The motor is loc ated on the side of the Panther and a spec ial belt-drive transmission rotates the c entral
spindle that drives the c olumn up and down.
The Panther's design c ombines minimum weight with maximum performanc e, whic h is ac c omplished by
a spec ial c ounter-pressure c onfiguration of 4 pneumatic springs in the base of the c olumn. These
springs exert approx. 1.4 kN of upward pressure on the c olumn. When the Panther is switc hed on, the
motor-drive begins working against the weight differential, or balanc e, of c olumn load minus spring
pressure, and holds the c olumn in position. The energy needed by the motor to keep the c olumn
stationary is in proportion to the c olumn's load ratio to the spring pressure. Energy c onsumption is least
when load equals pressure, i. e. when the load is approx. 140 kg.
When the Panther is switc hed off, the c olumn would normally drive upwards or downwards, ac c ording
to the load. In order to hold the c olumn position when the Panther is switc hed off, there is a brake
situated on the motor shaft that automatic ally applies spring pressure to the motor shaft as soon as the
Panther is switc hed off.
When the dolly is switc hed on, the initial stage is the ac tivation of the elec tronic system only, or stand by
c ondition. The brake remains on until you use the manual c ontrol switc h on the handset. Then the
brake is elec tromagnetic ally released, holds the "brake open" position and the motor switc hes on. At
this point, the "brake open" LED on the front panel lights up.
This phase, with elec tronic system, motor and elec troma gnetic brake release all ac tivated, is when
power c onsumption is at its maximum. Therefore, when c olumn drive is not required, switc h Panther off
to c onserve power and extend battery life.
If the Panther is left on for a time, but drive system is not used, a sec ondary system that rec ords the
power drag when the brake is released will reapply the brake (a "c lic k" will be heard). Onc e the brake
is on, the Panther is bac k in stand by mode and the motor shuts down. The "brake open" LED will no
longer be lit.
Onc e the manual c ontrol switc h is pressed, the system is reac tivated: the brake is released and the
motor operates to hold the c olumn in position.
If the "c lic k" you hear whenever the brake is released or reapplied should disturb loc ation sound
rec ord ing, operate the manual c ontrol switc h before shooting begins. This resets the sec ondary system,
and you have the full time (depending on the load) until the next "c lic k" (brake ac tivation).
Note:
When you turn the Super Panther III dolly on, the system is in "stand by" mode.
The brake is released after either pressing the manual c ontrol switc h on the handset or when rec alling a
program.
When c olumn drive is not being used, a sec ondary system will operate the brake after
120 sec onds.
