Adjustment of the Solenoid.

The following instructions have been copied from the Graflex Flash Synchronizer Instruction Manual.

These instructions are only applicable for use with

 Between- the Lens Shutter that do not incorporate build in shutter synchronization.

Solenoid being used with shutters that have a build in shutter synchronization, only needs a good working release just to trip the shutter. Synchronization is controlled by the shutter itself.

GRAFLEX Solenoid Releases are adjusted at the factory to cause the shutters to which they are adjusted to be fully open 18 to 20 milliseconds after the circuit is closed by the main switch. The retaining spring on the adjusting head will prevent this adjustment from being accidentally changed by vibration, shaking or normal use.

If it is desired to shorten the time interval between the closing of the electrical circuit and operation of shutter, the adjusting head should be turned down (to the right as viewed from above) until the desired time-delay is obtained; to lengthen the time interval between closing of the electrical circuit and operation of the shutter, adjusting head should be turned up until the desired timing is effected.

Adjusting the position of the solenoid in its mount is required when the factory setting has been disturbed. Proceed as follows:

(NOTE: To prevent undue strain on good batteries, use old batteries for preliminary adjustment but use fresh ones for the final test.)

Remove the lens-board from the camera

Slightly loosen the clamp screw in the solenoid mount, so that the solenoid release may be moved vertically;

Connect the release link with the shutter-release lever;

Set the shutter at its top speed and cock it;

Connect the solenoid with one of the parallel outlets in the front of the battery case by means of the connecting cord;

Close the main switch on the battery case (Figure 1) and hold it closed so that the armature remains down;

Slowly move the solenoid away from the shutter until the shutter just releases; Open the main switch;

Hold the solenoid in this exact position and tighten the clamp screw.

The solenoid armature should be at the bottom of its stroke when the shutter release lever is at the point of tripping. To test this, cock the shutter and move the release lever down very slowly by hand. At the exact point where the lever releases the shutter, energize the solenoid by pressing the red button of the main switch. This should not cause any further movement of the release lever and, if the adjustments have been made correctly (the switch being kept closed during this process) the finger can be removed from the release lever without the latter moving back.

Slowly unscrew the solenoid cap, meanwhile operating the shutter frequently at 1/400 by energizing the solenoid. Continue this process as long as the solenoid will continue to operate the shutter.

The Time and Bulb positions should now be tested, using fresh batteries. When cocking the shutter in the Time and Bulb positions, allow at least one second after cocking before pressing the main switch. The shutter may operate satisfactorily at both positions without making any further adjustments. If it does not, note the following faults and their remedies:

1. The shutter may fail to open because the solenoid is not adjusted properly. To correct this, screw the solenoid cap down slowly until the shutter does operate, testing after each slight turn.

2. An occasional shutter may not hold its open position as it should on Time and Bulb exposures—that is, it may slide past the open position in a manner similar to its operation on the instantaneous settings. If it does this, even when there has been a pause after cocking the shutter, the shutter should be adjusted at the factory.

3. If the solenoid opens the shutter on Time or Bulb settings, but fails to close it again, try closing the shutter manually by operating the release lever. If it is found that the shutter did not latch after the opening movement of the release lever, the closing movement cannot be accomplished.

This calls for adjustment to the shutter, providing that the solenoid cap was not screwed down farther than necessary, as described in (1) above.

4. If the release lever does not latch after the opening movement, but the solenoid armature travel was not sufficient to accomplish the closing movement, the solenoid release must be re-set vertically in its mount as described above (Figure 5). In this case, instead of having the shutter set at the highest instantaneous setting, the adjustments should be made with the release lever latched and ready to close the shutter on the Time setting.

Having reset the shutter in this manner, the solenoid should operate it for both the Time and Bulb settings with, perhaps, some adjustment of the solenoid cap. If it is not possible to get satisfactory shutter operation by carefully following the above procedure, the shutter should be repaired.

Test the synchronization by making negatives or with a testing device. Tests for synchronization should be made with a reliable device, such as the GRAFLEX Synchronizer Tester or the G-E Synchrograph or any other device which does not upset the synchronizer circuit or depend in its operation on battery condition.


Adjusting the Solenoid     Graflex Synchronizer     Provision for the use of flash

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