8mm Forum: Bolex bulb problem

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Topic: Bolex bulb problem

Matthew Williams
Junior
Posts: 2
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Sep 2004

posted September 24, 2004 12:37 PM

I suppose one learns the hard way... Just acquired a pristine Bolex 18-5L off eBay for a steal, and am now faced with an apparently all-too-common bulb quandary. The current bulb's silver casing is shredded, so the light is diminished considerably and obviously needs replacement. It's a Phillips 13730C/04, an expensive rarity ($155 at donsbulbs.com); an adapter to a more modern EFN bulb amounts to about $100 (chamblesscineequip.com).

My question is: do you know of any cheaper options for replacing this bulb? I assume the silver casing can't be repainted on the current one.

Many thanks,
Matthew

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett

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David Roberts
Master Film Handler

Posts: 405
From: Suffolk. England
Registered: Apr 2004

posted September 24, 2004 02:59 PM

Hello Mathew

I think this bulb was an AI/17 in the UK and is still available fof around £15. The lamp is a distinct shape,a bit like a spaceman,if you see what I mean. The 18/5 is the best 8mm silent projector ever made, and is well worth finding a lamp for.
Try www.leescameras.demon.co.uk or www.derann.co.uk

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 24, 2004 03:47 PM

Hi Matthew,
Do not despair! Bulbs for the 18-5 are still available from TOP BULB (1-800-867-2852) in the USA. The ANSI code number for the lamp is CXL/CXR. It is an 8volt 50 watt lamp , shaped like "Robby the Robot", and is listed at $24.50 in Top Bulbs catalogue. There is also a "Non-Robby" version of the CXL lamp, which has a similar built-in elliptical reflector and works just as well as the robot-man version. Congratulations on getting a Bolex 18-5. Its about the best 8mm projector ever made and will last several lifetimes.

--------------------
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David Roberts
Master Film Handler

Posts: 405
From: Suffolk. England
Registered: Apr 2004

posted September 25, 2004 03:00 PM

I have an 18/5 standard 8 projector that takes the 8v 50watt lamp Paul mentions,but my 18/5L super 8 machine takes a 12v 75watt lamp that I think is known as an AI/230 in the UK and costs around £11

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Matthew Williams
Junior
Posts: 2
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Sep 2004

posted September 26, 2004 07:56 AM

David, yes the 18-5L does in fact take a different bulb (12v/75w) than the 18-5. The AI/230 is called EFN in the US, but I still need to obtain an adapter ($80) to use it, as current Phillips 13730/04 bulb is a vertical 'spaceman' bulb (as opposed to the side-facing mirror reflector EFN bulb). Which puts me back where I started, unfortunately...

Matthew

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett

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