8mm Forum: HELP ! Smoking Specto B Projector.

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Topic: HELP ! Smoking Specto B Projector.

David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 22, 2019 04:24 AM

Can any one give me advice here ?

I just took my Specto B 9.5mm projector out of storage last night after a few years.

I turned it on and found there was smoke coming from the lower base area. However i am not sure if it is coming from the actual motor or something else.

The rheostat was very hot on inspection and there was some smoke still lurking around in this area after i had removed the base plate.

I cant find my manual for this model B machine but i do have one for the earlier one.

Does anyone know what the problem might be ? Also i cant remember what type of oil to use on this projector.

Any suggestions as i do not want to scrap the machine for display only.

Thanks in advance. [Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted January 22, 2019 04:45 AM

David
There is a transformer in the base area, it seems that this might be OK. However, there is a suppression capacitor also in there, and that, no doubt, has burnt up. The speed rheostat will also dissipate heat when the projector is running.
Such capacitors were fitted many years ago to suppress interference on radios and more importantly, your neighbour's television. They had three wires, two across the mains, and one to earth.
As regards oil, it was recommended that a few drop of XL motor oil should be used, this was once known as SAE 30.

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Maurice

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 22, 2019 07:07 AM

Maurice Thanks for your reply and information.

Is the mains suppression capacitor up behind the transformer as i cannot see it.

Would it be okay if i simply snipped it out without replacing ?

Thanks

Dave [Smile]

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted January 22, 2019 09:48 AM

Dave
Have you found where the smoke was coming from?
I assume the suppressor would be underneath somewhere. See link below to Grahame Newnham's page showing Specto and if you scroll down there is a sample suppression capacitor.
In view of the fact that its use in these days is irrelevant there's no problem in removing it.
http://www.pathefilm.uk/95gear/95gearspecto.htm

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Maurice

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 22, 2019 11:40 AM

Maurice thanks for that link. I never thought of looking on there.

On further inspection this afternoon there is no mains suppressor fitted. I ran the machine with the base off and rear cover removed.

A ... However i now think it may be that it is maybe rheostat it is causing the smoke.

B ... I noticed that when running with the lamp on the smoking and smell gets worse.

C ... It may be the case that the wiring has now perished and that is what is causing the smoke and the smell. It does smell like burning rubber.

D ... The smoke does appear to be coming from the base area where the transformer is. Maybe the transformer is done as the smoking does get worse when the lamp is on. So it might be the case that it now cant cope with the secondary lamp voltage and is overloading.

To be honest i still can't say for sure.

Who repairs or would rewire this old machine for me these days ?

[Frown]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted January 22, 2019 02:43 PM

Dave
The motor is mains supplied via the rheostat for regulation of speed.
The transformer supplies the 100 watt lamp at 30 volts.
The motor may be working hard due to poor lubrication of the gearbox.
If the Specto is a black model, then it is very long in the tooth by now. The wiring would be rubber covered. Perhaps the long term storage has not helped.
I am sorry that I can't be more helpful.

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Maurice

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 22, 2019 03:20 PM

Maurice you have been very helpful indeed as i did not know what components were doing what.

I was not sure what the transformer was doing. So now i know that it's function is for the lamp only.

I hope i can find a manual for it somewhere.

I will also refill the gear box with oil.

I am going to run the machine for a bit longer with the lamp switched off in order to see if the smell and smoke continues.

As you state the machine is now a bit long in the tooth and i now think it is in need of rewiring or has a faulty rheostat.

It is indeed a black model.

I am most grateful for all your help.

[Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012

posted January 22, 2019 05:28 PM

Always look for the simplest solutions first. Over lubrication would be my first investigation. Oil dripping onto electronics or anywhere near the lamp will cause smoke. Also if it hasn't been used for a long time it could simply be an accumulation of dust that is just being burnt off. These projectors were built like tanks and failure of transformers or rheostats are unlikely. It's true that overheating of wiring and consequential burning of the old rubber insulation may be the problem, but it would be quite obvious to see a blackening of the insulation.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted January 23, 2019 02:46 AM

The black models were replaced by the silver-grey models in 1951.
1958 brought an entirely new design with the 8mm Specto 8.
But the original design was a winner, and now very much favoured by 9.5mm users for its kindness in handling often old and warped film.

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Maurice

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 23, 2019 03:20 AM

Maurice and Terry cheers for your help again.

Do you know how i can remove the entire gate/lens assembly from the front of the machine ?

Is it those 4 silver screws i see at the front that i have have to remove ?

I would like to take a deeper look and see if indeed any oil or cable perishing is evident ?

I really wish i had a manual as i don't like exploring things blind so to speak and my arthritic hands do not function as well as they did in the past.

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted January 23, 2019 04:04 AM

David
Oldtimer Cameras have instruction books, but not service manuals.
However, have a look at Martyn Stevens' comments on Specto projectors. You may find it of some help.
http://www.cinerdistan.com/projector-index/2-uncategorised/442-specto-2

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Maurice

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 23, 2019 06:02 AM

Thanks again Maurice i will check these out .
[Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012

posted January 23, 2019 08:32 AM

David
Never had occasion to do so, but if it's just the lens holder and gate that you want to remove there is a screw at top and bottom of the gate assembly which are spring loaded. Undoing these will release the assembly. You've probably figured out that by undoing the framer screw the lens holder and gate assembly can be swung wide open. Remove the lens first. The four screws you mention look to be securing the back plate of the assembly to the projector.
As I have said I've never had occasion to do it, but these old Spectos were designed for full strip down, unlike the later plastic rubbish, so give it a go if you need to. Just remember how everything goes back together. Taking photos or videos while you're stripping down is a good standby.

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 23, 2019 10:50 AM

Terry

Thanks again for that advice. Yes i have indeed figured some of that out.

I have decided to attempt a full strip down of the machine at a future date in order check the wiring and give it a good clean and scrub up.

I will remember to take photos as you have advised during this process on this project.

Cheers !

[Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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