8mm Forum: How often should you replace belts?

»	8mm Forum » 8mm Forum » How often should you replace belts?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: How often should you replace belts?

Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 22, 2017 04:23 PM

After nearly 30 years they still look okay. Should one simply replace them anyway and in what intervals? I have 2 Chinon 7000 and a Eumig S802.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted January 22, 2017 05:55 PM

No point until necessary. If a belt is good,and working entirely correctly, why change it?

This 30 yr ruling is more applicable to electrolytic capacitors than it ever is for any mechanical component that still functions 100% correctly.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Clinton Hunt
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 845
From: Waharoa,North Island,New Zealand
Registered: May 2010

posted January 22, 2017 10:02 PM

I am the same as Andrew.I only replace the belts if I'm watching a film or switching it on after a long time of no use, and nothing turns.
Then I go to my spare belts container or if there isn't a replacement then I go to a machinery/pump place here in Matamata and get an "o" ring. [Smile]

--------------------
Cheers from me in New Zealand :-)

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 22, 2017 11:35 PM

But sometimes, old belt can snap in the middle of the show. If this thing happen, this mean one-two frames will get burnt if you do not stop the light instantly.

For belt that tends to loosen you will notice the change, e.g slowing down. But for cracking belt, you can hardly notice it, and suddenly it snaps.

I just starting the topic with that very issue here: Belt is not melting or loosen, but cracking. What material is this?

You need to open your projector and see what type of symthom you have. If it is the latter, change your belt now.

cheers,

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Phil Murat
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 671
From: Villeneuve St Georges, France
Registered: Dec 2015

posted January 23, 2017 01:32 AM

Hi Winbert,

I get Beaulieu's & Heurtier's , each of them have still their "genuine" belts and from origine, means something like 36 years old .......

however, Heurtier seems to be showing Silicon material belt (to confirm) ......

Both Beaulieu's & Heurtier"s category looks to be in excellent condition.

Only replace belts over an "on condition" status.....

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 23, 2017 05:35 AM

This is what I see, the old belt (genuine) seems to last longer. But the new made belt it is not, and I guess it is made of different material that can crack.

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted January 23, 2017 05:40 AM

It's also worthy of note that "the better machines" will NOT burn a single frame if the main drive belt snaps.

They have electronic detection when the main drive load reduces drastically and as soon as the motor begins to over speed, the whole unit, including the lamp circuit, shuts down immediately to protect your films until the belt is replaced.

I've had this happen to me now on two occasions and not one single frame of film is tarnished in any way.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted January 23, 2017 11:26 AM

Also those who have replaced tungsten lamps with LEDs (A1/17s etc) won't have to worry about burnt frames.

| IP: Logged

Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted January 23, 2017 12:15 PM

When they get gooey!

OSI, master of the obvious. [Smile]

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

| IP: Logged

Douglas Warren
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: West Chester, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2008

posted January 24, 2017 08:26 AM

I'm with Andrew and Clinton on this: No need to change them until the day they go "snap". It's amazing how long some belts truly last!

--------------------
Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!

| IP: Logged

Evan Samaras
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 513
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2015

posted January 24, 2017 10:44 AM

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

--------------------
...When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth...

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted January 24, 2017 11:49 AM

Agreed, but do collate your data!
One day it won't always work so well!

Voltage test points, torque values,belt tension values, speed calibrations, claw penetration measurements etc etc.😊😊

Do all of this when your machine is running at its peak, it will all come in very handy one day.

It's called Centrelining or Midranging and its how professional engineers return any electro mechanical process back to how it runs best.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 24, 2017 01:16 PM

Thank you. I think I'll just wait it out. So far, "knock on wood", all is running okay.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2