8mm Forum: EIKI SSL-0 Sound problem question

This is topic EIKI SSL-0 Sound problem question in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 02, 2017, 07:23 PM:

Something's wrong with my sound projector. It sounds awful. When I turn the volume knob it makes sounds as if it had connection problems. Anyway to troubleshoot this? I'm about to give the eBay seller negative feedback, they advertised it as in excellent condition, but the packing job was HORRIBLE. Styrofoam peanuts inside the mechanism, and stuffed into a box.

Might have knocked something off inside. Any links to a service manual? Where in America can I get this thing repaired? Thanks.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 03, 2017, 02:39 AM:

Christian
This Forum has a service manual download for an Eiki SLII which is very similar to your model. It may help you.
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/index.php?category=2#16mm Projectors

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on October 03, 2017, 08:01 AM:

Christian
Are you sure it is not just a dirty potentiometer. If it is you can sometimes reduce the noise by turning the volume knob back and forth or if it still is very bad maybe a liquid pot cleaner will do the job. It will be just a matter of getting access to it so that you can spray the cleaner fluid into the potentiometer.

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 03, 2017, 11:47 AM:

Hi, first I would like to show you all my projector and how it is running. Does this look normal?

https://youtu.be/K5ogU_OgMyw

I live in Washington State, any technicians around here that I could send the Eiki to? Thanks.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on October 03, 2017, 12:23 PM:

From the video it sounds like the sound drum is not spinning freely as it should. Have you looked in the back to see if it turns freely while running with film?

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 03, 2017, 12:59 PM:

Terry, after reading your post I unscrewed the back and made another video:

https://youtu.be/HIBWXALz_mc

This shows there's a white sprocket in there that doesn't do anything, and also that there's a lot of slack in the film path.

Any idea what we're looking at? Thanks.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on October 03, 2017, 01:14 PM:

From the video it sounds like the sound drum is not spinning freely as it should. Have you looked in the back to see if it turns freely while running with film?

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 03, 2017, 01:18 PM:

I don't know, that's why I made a second video. Please look at it, this video (which is different from the first) shows it from the front and the back.

https://youtu.be/HIBWXALz_mc

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 03, 2017, 02:22 PM:

Christian

It is obvious that the projector is not working correctly in its loop forming and threading setting. This seems to be causing the loop after the picture gate to be too small. There is also insufficient tension at the sound pick-up point.

These projectors do quite a lot in their threading mode and this is certainly not happening here. The linkage to the operating control is obviously at fault. From your comment made about its transit it certainly seems some damage has occurred.

The seller said that it was in excellent condition, and obviously it is not. You should send it back for a refund.

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 03, 2017, 05:06 PM:

Thanks Maurice. I guess I need a new one now. Any idea where I can buy one?

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on October 04, 2017, 02:02 AM:

From that video it looks as though there is no film tension over the sound drum and consequently the sound track is not being read correctly. Surely those two rollers just before the sound drum should drop down when the switch is turned fully clockwise, to give that tension.
I do not have this model but I'm sure someone on the forum will be able to diagnose the fault from that video.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 04, 2017, 02:44 AM:

Christian
My comments are based on the fact that I have this projector, well, actually mine is an ESL-2 which is the electronic push-button model opt/mag.
Mine was recently serviced and I see that included was:- "Film tension roller and lever adjusted".
This is partly to what I was referring with my diagnosis.
As regards buying a similar model, as you are in the USA, why not enquire from fellow member Richard C. Patchett who might be able to help.
http://www.rcsclassic16mm.com/index.html

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on October 04, 2017, 11:04 AM:

Greetings
First of all Thank you Maurice for the referral

Christian on your projector

Is the film tight when you load before you turn it on
Then loses its tension?

How's the take up belt in the rear arm ? (it may be slipping)

Can you move the film restorer by hand ?

Have you remover the film gate and cleaned it ?

Any broken film in path of the film gate or other places?.

I'm a eiki service person and parts distributor
I would be happy to service your projector if need be
Please see my web site under service
Thank you
RC
http://www.rcsclassic16mm.com/index.html

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 04, 2017, 01:03 PM:

Hi Richard, happy to meet you, I had just visited your site this morning.

I tighten up the film when loading but as soon as that knob goes from STOP to anywhere else, the film is loosened.

I've cleaned up a lot of dirt from the gate and film path. It's still happening.

Take up belt in rear arm is fine. I've unscrewed the cover and it doesn't seem to slip at all. The problem seems to be on the front on the projector somewhere.

It actually turns itself off sometimes if I try to run it. I've loaded some 16mm White Leader and ran it through. The threading is all wrong.

I can't see anything at all in the film path that could be causing obstructions.

I guess I'll be sending it your way, unless you have any other suggestions.

Thanks

[ October 04, 2017, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: Christian Romero ]

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 3812) on October 04, 2017, 10:28 PM:

Christian,

That roller with the small Red dot on it shown slightly to the RHS of the sound drum & slit assembly is stuck.

When you move the lever to project it should move over to the left and press the film snugly against the sound drum. From memory it is spring loaded and released to move down onto the drum when the main control knob is moved to Project.

Eiki machines appear to have a problem with shafts going through the casting with the tiny amount of lubricant drying out over a period of time and that roller assembly is one of the very common problems.

If you cannot fix it yourself with some carefully placed lubricant then I am sure Richard Patchett will sort you out OK.

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on October 05, 2017, 05:49 AM:

Hi Christian

I completely agree with Lindsay's opinion about the cause of this malfunction.
Follow what he says and you won't go wrong.

dogtor frankarnstein [Smile]

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 05, 2017, 11:49 AM:

Hi friends, I have once again opened up the projector and upon closer inspection, the roller with the red dot can indeed be moved into place by hand. But this is only one problem with the threading. The front loops get undone all the time and the projector shuts itself off.

Good thing I only test it with leader at the moment. It bunched up and shredded a few feet of leader again.

I'm guessing that either I send it back to the seller (already gave him a negative) or I send it to Richard for repair. I just don't know which is the right financial investment because I already spent $280 on this. Now I'd have to spend more to ship it to Richard, and then pay for the repairs. I'm not sure if this projector is worth all that, even though it used to be worth $1800 when new.

I miss my Bell & Howell 2585 already. I wish I still had it.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 05, 2017, 02:52 PM:

Christian
Perhaps you ought to consider buying a projector from a reputable seller who can give a warranty and also ensures that all is working as it should.
eBay is a complete minefield, but you might consider someone like Urbanski Film who has a very good reputation.
http://www.urbanskifilm.com/projectors.html

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 05, 2017, 03:49 PM:

Maurice, that's certainly as good idea. Urbanski sold me some reels last week and they arrived fast. Unfortunately they're away until the 16th.

For now I will look into packaging up the Eiki to send to Richard.

Thanks, all

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 06, 2017, 02:43 AM:

Christian
As I said before, there is a linkage system in the projector which has to reset virtually everything for the auto-load, and then return to its film running position. A severe shock in transit could possibly upset this arrangement.
It is important that great attention should be taken with its packing. It is always suggested that double packing is the best way.

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on October 06, 2017, 12:32 PM:

Greetings

Its beginning to sound like it's out of timing (Shutter)

I also have projectors for sale
This is on my web site

All Projectors have been Rebuilt / Refurbished unless stated otherwise.

Just got done with a 1535 B&H not listed yet $375.00 restored
Plus Shipping

All 16mm Bell and Howell Projectors have been refurbished with a new worm gear

Under Service

Pack carefully. Put the complete projector and paperwork into a plastic bag. Package it in a sturdy cardboard box large enough to permit at least 3 inches of padding material on all sides, plus top and bottom. Ensure a tight fit. Seal all seams tightly with shipping tape.
Mark your return address clearly on the exterior of box. We recommend you insure the package and use a shipper that can trace it if necessary.

When your projector is repaired, we can ship it to you anywhere in the USA at competitive rates. Repair and shipping charges can be paid over the phone by Visa or MasterCard. PayPal is also accepted.

Service only includes: Inspection, clean, re-lube and reline $50.00
Estimate on other work at $50.00 deducted on approval of repair.
All other work is $50.00 per hour plus parts.

Posted by Christian Romero (Member # 6083) on October 09, 2017, 06:48 PM:

Hi Richard,

I cannot print out your service order form as I do not own a printer. If I may just handwrite a note and ship you the projector, let me know and I will do it right away.

Thank you,
Christian

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on October 09, 2017, 09:15 PM:

Greetings Christian
Sounds Good Just let me know when shipped at
patchetts@comcast.net
Thank you
RC
Richard Christian (RC) [Smile]

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