8mm Forum: Help! Canon S-2 variable speed dual 8mm issue

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Topic: Help! Canon S-2 variable speed dual 8mm issue

David Huthmacher
Junior
Posts: 6
From: Canton, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2013

posted February 27, 2013 01:09 PM

I just acquired a Canon S-2 variable speed dual 8mm projector. I could not believe how clean it was, virtually mint condition and sent in it's original box.

Everything worked well: The pilot light turned on as soon as the unit was plugged in. Both 8mm mode inserts threaded easily, the reels turned correctly, the variable speed control moved easily, the bulb was nice and bright, and the image clear and crisp.

After I viewed abut ten mini-reels, upon turning on the lamp the bulb no longer turned on. I also noticed that the pilot light no longer lit as well. My first instinct was that the main bulb burned out, but the odds of both the main bulb and the pilot bulb burning out at the exact same time seems unlikely to me.

I opened the unit and all of the wires are clean and securely soldered to the points. I noticed that the pilot light and the bulb appear to be on the same path. Also, neither bulb is blackened inside as usually the case when a bulb burns out.

This unit does have a fuse, but is it possible that the fuse would allow the motor to still run correctly but not the lighting portions? I am planning on replacing the fuse this afternoon just to see. I would order a new bulb, too, if that were the problem, but I'm unconvinced that's the case.

Any suggestions out there of what I should try next?

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 27, 2013 01:31 PM

Hi David, Welcome!

I agree with your idea about two lights blowing at the same time being unlikely. Something more is probably going on. (Inspect the lamp anyway: lightning really can strike twice in the same spot!)

A simple projector like this would probably only have one fuse, basically its job is to prevent the thing bursting into flames in case there's a short inside. Often systems with printed circuit boards have other smaller fuses to avoid burning the boards while the main fuse stands by doing nothing.

Since your motor works the fuse is probably intact. The main fuse is supposed to be the first thing after the power cord so everything inside the case is controlled by it.

This sounds like some kind of power supply problem. It could be the winding of the transformer that powers these lights has gone open circuit, but that's very rare. (If the Egyptians had power transformers, they probably would find usable ones in the Pyramids... [Wink]

)

Is the motor circuit on its own transformer output?

After that I'm thinking it's a connection problem. If you have a meter or a test light this is the time to buzz around in there and find where the volts stop.

The pilot light should not be on a switch, but the projection lamp should. Switches are great sources of mayhem!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Bruce Wright
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 140
From: Denham Springs, La.
Registered: Oct 2011

posted February 27, 2013 01:46 PM

There's one on epay. pictures look good.

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Bruce Wright

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David Huthmacher
Junior
Posts: 6
From: Canton, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2013

posted February 27, 2013 05:11 PM

Steve,

Thanks for the advice. Here's the next thing I've tried:

I got a new pilot light bulb. It didn't work either. But after placed a piece of medal where the projector bulb and casing meet, the pilot light went on! I then placed a smaller bulb onto the bulb base and both lights worked! When I placed the metal on the base and switch the lamp to the "on" position, I got sparks.

Maybe it is the bulb after all? Maybe the bulb in the base was closing the circuit for the pilot light to work? Maybe the switch is fine since it sparked against metal when in the "on" position?

I ordered a new bulb (not too, too expensive) hoping that I'm right.

What do you think?

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 27, 2013 09:04 PM

I'm imagining the power source and then the pilot light and then a switch and the projection lamp wired in series across the pilot light. Ideally, unless the projection lamp is a short it should have no effect on the pilot lamp.

Is this what it's really like?

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Jon Addams
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 638
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Apr 2007

posted February 27, 2013 10:17 PM

David,

The pilot light WILL NOT turn on when the main light is burnt. Install a new working main lamp and your problems are over. It's as simple as that.

Jon

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 27, 2013 10:41 PM

Interesting, Jon!

Any idea what how this is connected that it acts this way?

-it's not typical.

--------------------
All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Jon Addams
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 638
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Apr 2007

posted February 28, 2013 05:20 PM

quote:
Interesting, Jon!

Any idea what how this is connected that it acts this way?

-it's not typical.

I have no idea Steve – it certainly is not typical. There are lots of wires back there in very tight quarters. I have a couple of parts machines around. Sounds like a good weekend project to find out!

Perhaps you, being the engineer, may want to poke around in one, let me know and I’ll ship you one or bring it to CineSea, I should be well enough to make it.

Best regards,

Jon

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