8mm Forum: New to the forum and hobby! (My Bell & Howell)

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Posted by David Sites (Member # 3051) on April 20, 2012, 09:38 AM:

Hello all from Washington State (USA)!

I have been getting into the old stereo consoles as of late. Last night I was at a Goodwill store here in the states and picked up this Bell & Howell 8mm Projector for $13 USD.

After getting it home I found out the lamps for them range from $60-$100. But I still want to get this projector up and running. So I am just going to hold onto it, till I find a lamp for a cheaper price.

Does anyone know where you can get lamps for them cheaper?

Here are pictures of it:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/52974 0_419290731431968_100000531351698_1429082_1962253724_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575626_419290791431962_100000531351698_1429083_998038571_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546596_419290844765290_100000531351698_1429084_976859997_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523316_419290961431945_100000531351698_1429087_282449541_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/480165_419291048098603_100000531351698_1429088_1831119713_n.jpg

What do you guys think it is worth witout lamp? With lamp?

Thanks guys, and I hope to be on here a lot and learning more about my new little machine I have found.

Dave

Posted by John Davis (Member # 1184) on April 20, 2012, 10:55 AM:

Hi David,
welcome to the forum - can you give details on a specific model, Bell & Howell used the 'Autoload' title on a wider range of projectors,
John

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on April 20, 2012, 11:14 AM:

Hello David,

This projector's model looks like a 482 (Super 8 only) - you can find the model number engraved in the power cord compartment.

Please let us know.

Jon

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 20, 2012, 11:17 AM:

David, not meant killing your joy, but this Bell & Howell using a very expensive bulb with low life rate which I believe below 50 hours.

There are plenty projectors cost around $50 which using EFP bulb that only cost $5/each with brighter light and longer life.

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on April 20, 2012, 12:34 PM:

quote:
David, not meant killing your joy, but this Bell & Howell using a very expensive bulb with low life rate which I believe below 50 hours.

If this is a 482 projector, it uses a DLH lamp rated at 15 hours and prices for it keep climbing because they are not being manufactured any longer - Current listings on eBay show a range of $68 to $129.

Ouch!!! [Mad]

Jon

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on April 20, 2012, 12:37 PM:

Hi David that unit looks like mine but mine is a dual 8 yours is a super8 only mine calls for a DLH but i put a dfg in and it works fine the DLH bulb looks like it was a 250w because it has a lens that can project far with a smaller less wattage bulb you would have to be closer. i would think any 120v, 150w bulb would work maybe even a DJL?

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 20, 2012, 12:46 PM:

Welcome to the forum, this forum (and a few other film forums) have been a wealth of info to me, and the folks around here "taint' all dat bad!

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on April 20, 2012, 12:52 PM:

Welcome to the forum from a fellow Washingtonian. I'm also into old stereo consoles, I have two RCA Victor's that I fixed up. My wife and I listen to records on them all the time.

I had a similar Bell & Howell projector that I got rid of after having to replace the bulb a few times. One time the bulb exploded and threw glass shards everywhere. I think the cheapest way to get a cheap bulb is to find another projector that has a working bulb. I've bought a few Bell & Howell projectors with working bulbs for $5 at garage sales and estate sales. You can also look on Craigs List.

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on April 20, 2012, 01:04 PM:

quote:
Hi David that unit looks like mine but mine is a dual 8 yours is a super8 only mine calls for a DLH but i put a dfg in and it works fine the DLH bulb looks like it was a 250w because it has a lens that can project far with a smaller less wattage bulb you would have to be closer. i would think any 120v, 150w bulb would work maybe even a DJL?

Although they have smaller wattage, both the DFG and the DJL can be used instead of the DLH. However not any 120V, 150W will fit. These lamps have an alignment notch in the steam that must fit correctly in the lamp socket.

There is also another lamp that will fit, a General Electric DMH (identical in wattage to the original DLH 120V, 250W). Careful though, Sylvania also makes a DMH lamp but it is much longer than the GE and thus will not fit the projector with the lamp cover on.

GE DMH will fit perfectly and it is as good as the original and can be found for around $40 to $50. I have several of both.

Jon

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 20, 2012, 01:34 PM:

quote:
n. I'm also into old stereo consoles, I have two RCA Victor's that I fixed up. My wife and I listen to records on them all the time.

Sorry for being a little bit out of topic. Bryan and David, this is my stereo console (Electrohome):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2RDNxIvkbM

I have another two (RCA and Loewe) at basement.

Got them for free. [Wink]

cheers,

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on April 20, 2012, 02:42 PM:

Don't be sorry Winbert, David started it. Here are my two consoles. They are both solid state, I used to have a Maganavox with a tube amp that sounded better but these both work great. One has speakers out on my patio so we can listen to records out there during the summer.

Posted by Bruce Wright (Member # 2793) on April 20, 2012, 03:09 PM:

Hi David, Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information here. I have two of these projectors,both work ok. But boy, the cost of the lamp (50.00+) with a short life (15 hrs) makes it difficult to turn on. Old lamps usually have a very short life.
Looks like I paid to much for mine, one cost $14.00 and the other $22.oo with a working lamp(lamp lasted for about 10 seconds). It's a great hobby !!

Posted by David Sites (Member # 3051) on April 21, 2012, 06:46 PM:

Wow, you all are great. I think this is the best response along with helpful info I have ever had on any forum.

Thank you all so much for the input.

So does super 8 mean I can only play super 8 films on it?

By the way it is a 482A.

I think I will have to go with the GE bulb, it seems the safest and cheapest way to go.

Here are the 2 consoles I own:

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p465/DaveSites/GE-01.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p465/DaveSites/IMG_1600.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p465/DaveSites/IMG_1623.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p465/DaveSites/IMG_1629.jpg

The first one is in the home and needs turntable finished, and fabric redone. Maybe a few CAPS replaced.

The second one is just in garage now. Turntable doesn't work, but I rock it when working outside.

They both have such good sound. It is amazing the quality they had back then with just 2 or 4 speakers.

Again thank you all and I look forward to watching some old movies on the Bell & Howell when I get a lamp. I will make sure to take pics of me and the familty watching to share.

Dave

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on April 21, 2012, 08:30 PM:

The console in your home is awesome! The Magnavox that I used to have was very similar to the one in your garage. There used to be a guy in Seattle that repaired turntables, J & S Phonograph Needles, but he is out of business now. The way I have fixed my consoles is by finding one with similar components and swapping them out with the working stuff. Usually from something with a less desirable cabinet. You can find them quite cheep sometimes. If the Magnavox has a tube amp there are people that still repair them.

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on April 21, 2012, 09:34 PM:

quote:
So does super 8 mean I can only play super 8 films on it?

This is correct David, the 482 only plays super 8mm movies.

Jon

Posted by George Tveden (Member # 3379) on April 06, 2013, 12:18 PM:

Hi David, you might want to consider a DJL lamp conversion. Using an MR16 lamp housing like the GE QLV-1 you can easily modify your old Bell & Howell projector for a fraction of a new DJL or similar style incandescent internal reflector lamp cost. I do these DJL lamp conversions all the time and they are a great way to keep the old Bell & Howell models running. The QLV-1 housing is easy to find online and relatively inexpensive. Good luck!

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