posted January 23, 2012 01:03 PM
Hello, I was trying to install an Elmo 1.1 Lens I just received to replace the 1.3 lens and I as I was trying to insert the lens into the lens holder and I somehow turned the outside focus knob and that knob came off and I think it's broke because it looks like it was attached to the plastic ring that turns & focuses the lens that's inside the lens holder? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Can I still focus the lens manually without having to turn the focus knob? Please Help!!
Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006
posted January 23, 2012 06:20 PM
Sorry to read that, it has happend to me twice. I think its a weak area and the only thing I could come up with was to carefully tap a thread right down the middle and fit a small screw. You need to turn that knob for that little cam to focus, best of luck on fixing, its a real pain.
Graham.
PS On a more positive note the 1.1 lens does make a big difference with 25% more light over the 1.3 and sharper, so that new lens is well worth fitting.
posted January 23, 2012 07:08 PM
Graham, Thanks for your suggestion but I have a question? How do I get the lens back in the lens housing because that white cam is spring loaded and is sticking out to far in the lens housing preventing the lens from passing through because the edge of the lens barrel hits the cam edge since it's sticking out to far?
Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006
posted January 23, 2012 11:01 PM
I would try pushing that cam from the back of the lens holder with something and at same time sliding the lens through. I did notice that there are three screw holes in the photo I took so I wonder with the knob already off can that part be removed what can you see?...hope it helps.
Its a bit rough but the little cover can go back on.
you might be able to push back that cam from this angle while sliding the lens in from the front.
posted January 24, 2012 08:25 AM
Hello Graham, Thank you for the pictures and all your help!! Ok the inside of that white cam has a short stem and a spring is seated in the stem. The end of the stem has a square end with a hole in the middle of the stem. The black focusng knob also has a short stem with a metal washer and the end of that stem is square also and has a small hole in the center. I read somewhere on the forum that they used glue to bond the two end stems together and it appears that the two separated when I accidently turned the focus knob trying to install the new lens. I wondering if this was a design flaw and that is why there are holes in each piece and later on they put it together with a screw? I don't even want to try and attempt to fix this since I don't even have the proper tools or know-how on what the heck I'm doing! After all I broke this just trying to install a simple task of putting a lens in!
What I will have to do is try and get a member of the forum who had fixed one of these before that knows what they are doing and pay them to perform the task. I would need to take off the complete lens assembly along with the new lens and ship it to them. I'm not even sure I have the proper tools or know-how to even take that part off?
Well anyway if a member reads this and has done this procedure before and can help me please send me an email @ happyent@cox.net
posted January 24, 2012 12:07 PM
Graham, That screw your referring to do you know exactly what size screw I will need to use to attach the outside focus knob to the cam shaft? The length has to be just the right size for it to work.
Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006
posted January 24, 2012 12:55 PM
Roger Sorry cant remember the size of tap I used or the lenght of screw found in my junk box, cut one to suit. I just went through the stuff and thought that should do. One thing for sure is that glue in itself wont be strong enough for such a small area. I was really annoyed with myself doing it a second time to another projector only a slight bump and it fell off. The thing is with tapping a thread, make sure you are straight on otherwise your knob and screw will sit at an angle. The lens holder itself is only held on with two screws and is easy to remove. Is there someone, say a small local engineeing place that could give it a go or someone you know thats good at small fix it jobs.
posted January 24, 2012 01:19 PM
Hey Graham, Thank you for your timely responce with all your suggestions & I really do appreciate the help you have been giving me! So I found someone who can do the job here locally but he wanted to know the size of the screw. Maybe I should just try and get another lens holder part with the focus knob attached but that might be hard to come by?