Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013
posted April 04, 2017 01:44 PM
Friends lend me a Bell & Howell Filmsound 202. I know that there's no "rewind belt" in the projector, only top belt, so the projection in rewind is possible only by rewinding the reel with a helping of hand. But I was wondering: if I move the "rear" belt and put it in the other empty seat (in the top seat) everything is working correctly? Even the rewinding without film in the path?
P.S. In the picture the missing belt (not my projector).
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted April 04, 2017 03:03 PM
Luigi
The top spring belt is much smaller in diameter than the take-up belt and cannot be interchanged. In normal run the top belt imparts some slight drag. In reverse running it will drive the spool.
If you wish to REWIND the film after showing, do the following:-
Remove both spools and reverse their positions Lead the film over the top from the front to the back Press the take-up lock lever and lift the spool on the left arm as far as it will go to lock in position Run projector in FORWARD mode Disengage the clutch control
The film will now rewind from the top spool to the lower spool.
Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013
posted April 05, 2017 07:51 AM
Thank you, Maurice, good ad. Do you think there's way to know the diameter of this top belt? I could make it from those who cut metal belt's in meter/centimeter and save money.
posted April 05, 2017 12:07 PM
Greetings I Have theses in stock (new) part number is 21898 WP 24 $20.00 and postage is $35.00 priority mail or $15.00 1st class mail RC
-------------------- RC’s Classic Collection 16 mm Parts & Service Elmo, Eiki, Bell & Howell + http://www.rcsclassic16mm.com/
Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013
posted April 05, 2017 04:58 PM
Maurice: thank you, maybe I have a belt of 2mm. You also know the other measure, the length (or diameter or perimeter, if belt already engaged in a circle) of this belt?
Richard: Interestingly, I ponder if I should buy it.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted April 06, 2017 02:48 AM
Luigi I regret I do not know the length of the belt. You can get approximate length by estimating the distance needed up to the pulley on the feed arm.
Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013
posted April 07, 2017 06:30 PM
Thank you! The projector works fine in forward mode (also without slight drag), and in reverse with rewindig of top reel by hand. As I said, I see if I buy the top belt or build it with metallic spare parts.
BUT... now a problem, the sound: I hear only a buzz. Buzz volume increase by increaising the volume knob; maybe so the amplificator cable is connected and works, perhaps... But I tried with a 16mm optical film, but I still hear only the buzz. What can I do? Ah, the little lamp next to the audio heads works (is the exciter lamp?). What do I do?
P.P.S. IMPORTANT, please! The projector run ALWAYS at 24 framerate? Selector switch "sound/silent" don't change also framerate?
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted April 08, 2017 02:06 AM
It seems that one, or more, of the amplifier valves may not be working. Or, some associated component such as a resistor or a capacitor is defunct. The speed change switch may just have dirty contacts. Remember that this Bell & Howell model was manufactured between 1952 and 1955 and is now really past its prime.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted April 08, 2017 09:06 AM
Silent would be 16fps or possibly 18fps. Sound would be 24fps. If you can hear the film sound but very low it is possible that the sound optics are dirty. Another problem in old Bell & Howells is that the tiny mirror begins to lose its coating, thus preventing full sound from reaching the photo-electric cell. This mirror is very small and situated behind the sound drum and positioned at 45 degrees to deflect the image from the sound track.
[ April 08, 2017, 11:56 PM: Message edited by: Maurice Leakey ]