8mm Forum: Elderly Specto

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Topic: Elderly Specto

Michael Wright
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Chorley, Lancashire, England
Registered: Dec 2008

posted March 05, 2015 06:05 AM

My Specto 8mm projector which was working perfectly last week suddenly went 'pop' and is now as dead as a dodo. I suspect a short circuit. Any ideas anyone? Thanks MIKE [Frown]

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted March 05, 2015 06:10 AM

Michael,
Most likely fault is a motor windings insulation or a transformer failure which means rewinding the motor or a replacement motor or transformer. However you need to check the electrics systematically to find the fault.

--------------------
Paul.

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted March 05, 2015 01:39 PM

Is it the black model or the later brown model? I have a motor that you can have if that is the faulty part.

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

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

posted March 05, 2015 01:50 PM

Divide and Conquer:

Disconnect the motor (and lamp) circuitry from the transformer, put in a new fuse, plug it into a switched (off) outlet, put on your welding mask and fire suit (kidding), yell "Fire in the hole!!!" and let 'er rip!

If you don't blow a fuse with the transformer alone, keep adding circuits back until you do.

Even before that, look at things like the condition of the power cord. Look around inside the case for scorch marks. Try to sniff out something that smells overheated. (You'll know it when you find it.)

Are you good with an ohmmeter?

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

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Michael Wright
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Chorley, Lancashire, England
Registered: Dec 2008

posted March 08, 2015 05:27 PM

Thanks everyone looks like I need to do some investigating! Cheers. MIKE

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Michael Wright
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Chorley, Lancashire, England
Registered: Dec 2008

posted March 26, 2015 09:11 AM

Thanks to all who replied to my original post and apologies for the delay in getting back. The delay was caused by the untimely arrival of my new grandson James. He was delivered by my marvelous son in law Martin on their living room floor! Mother and baby doing well.
Re the Specto, I've discovered that the capacitor has come apart. There is what looks like a black blister on the side of it and the bottom has completely come away. Is this likely to be the cause of the projector not working or a symptom of something else? Cheers MIKE

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Dominique De Bast
Film God

Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted March 26, 2015 10:37 AM

Congratulations for James.

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Dominique

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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

posted March 26, 2015 10:49 AM

The "pop" was probably the capacitor blowing out. If the details of the rating and capacitance are still readable you can probably get a replacement.
If not, I am sure other Specto owners will be able to advise.

--------------------
Maurice

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Rob Watson
Junior
Posts: 22
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Apr 2005

posted March 31, 2015 11:00 AM

If its the big capacitor inside the base its just an interference suppression capacitor for the motor. You can take it out and run the projector without it. People around you listening to AM radio wont thank you for the extra crackles but at least you will confirm the casue of the problem.

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