8mm Forum: GS1200 problems

»	8mm Forum » 8mm Forum » GS1200 problems

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: GS1200 problems

David Storm
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Sweden
Registered: Dec 2005

posted May 09, 2007 05:26 PM

I got my first Elmo GS1200 (version 3) today and it looks like it has never been used. Even the original specifications note was still attached to the handle. A Elmo 1.0 lens and leather dust cover was included too. Unfortunately it does have a few problems.

When I turned the projector on there was an annoying high pitched sound from the speaker and the track 1 level meter was moving. I pressed the recording switches a few times and everything was fine for a while. Suddenly the track 1 level meter jumped to max position and the noise was even more unpleasant than before. The only way to make it quiet now is to switch to optical sound. Is it just the switches that needs to be cleaned or do I have a more serious problem?

The 1.0 is a bit foggy on the inside of the front lens so I disassemble it to be able to clean. I found a description by Ugo Grassi but I don't understand how the rubber ring should be removed. Here is a link to the post:
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000284#000008

| IP: Logged

Joerg Niggemann
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 127
From: Germany
Registered: May 2006

posted May 12, 2007 12:48 PM

David,

try to clean the contacts by operating all switches several times. Hopefully this will help.

Concerning the lens, I have a similar problem. The rubber ring can be easily removed with a toothpick, but I don't know how to remove the front lens using Ugo's description. It seems to me that the parts are fixed with some kind of glue which makes disassembly impossible...

Joerg

| IP: Logged

Tony Milman
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1336
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 12, 2007 01:14 PM

Hi David,

The rubber ring on the outside of the lens should just peel back if you are careful without any damage. What you might find is that there is a little adhesive at the point where the then outer casing attaches to the main body of the lens. I found that a drop of alcohol-care is required here not to apply too much-softened the adhesive sufficent for me to unscrew the two parts. It does take a fair amount of brute force to get it to move. Be brave

--------------------
Tony

| IP: Logged

David Storm
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Sweden
Registered: Dec 2005

posted May 13, 2007 01:32 PM

Thanks.

Nothing happened when I pressed the spot recording switches because the rec button was in off position. However it didn't get much better no matter how many times I pressed the switches so I decided to remove the amplifier cover and clean with electronics cleaning spray. They don't work perfectly yet but the noise is gone. Can the sound on the film be damaged if this happens again even when it's not in rec mode?

The rubber ring was no problem compared to removing the front lens. It was impossible. Before I gave up I sprayed Hama optic cleaner on the threads. A couple of hours later I was able to remove it. I also removed the ring that holds the second and third lens elements but I couldn't figure out how to remove them from the ring. All I found was two small holes at the front. The inside looked good enough so I didn't bother with it. Maybe I'll clean it later if someone can explain how to do it.

I have two more problems I need help with.

When I move the front cover or inserting or removing the lens a crackling sound can be heard from the speakers. The level meters also move if the rec button is in ready position.

There is an intermittent squeaking that I think come from behind the first sprocket. I'm quite sure it's not the input guide.

| IP: Logged

Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006

posted May 13, 2007 02:23 PM

David, I have exactly the same problem with the sound on my GS1200. When the volume was turned above "3" the high piched screech was painfull. It was made worse by increasing the "treble" but not so bad when the sound mode was in Stereo, but still there.
I took off the rear cover and sprayed the ESS switch with switch cleaner, working the ESS switch a few times during the process. I have not run a complete film thru it yet, but it performed as it should on 400t digest and even when you turned up the volume without a film in it,I only got a slight "hum" from the speaker. Prior to spraying,I certainly couldn't do that without the neighbours complaining about the HIGH pitched noise. I intend to test it during the week with a feature film, so fingers crossed.
The annoying thing is that I bought the GS1200 because of the quality sound it should provide (I also have a ST1200 which is "Sound" compared to it's "big brother"). If you haven't sprayed the ESS, give it a try and I hope it works for both of us, otherwise I feel a date with "Mr.Hammer" coming on. Best of luck.

--------------------
"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

| IP: Logged

Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 13, 2007 02:40 PM

90% of the problems on the GS seem to be switch related. Spraying switch cleaner on all the exposed sliding switches is probably a good preventive measure, along with periodically working all the switches to prevent corrosion build up. Some of the internal microswitches can also need replacement, usually the ones that go are the two associated with the automatic threading release. Worst ever switch job I have done on the GS was the replacement of the forward relay on the main control board- a real nightmare, but possibly necessary if your take-up spool ever stops turning or turns intermittently.
This is all the price you pay for a sophisticated and complex electronic control system, thankfully avoided by nearly all other projectors.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

| IP: Logged

Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006

posted May 17, 2007 01:50 AM

Well would you believe it! I played a 800 ft film last night and the sound was perfect. Then about 3 minutes into the second 800ft the SCREAMING SCREECH came back as bad as ever!! [Mad]

Kevin I need some advice. I have sent you an E-mail. Please "come in MR.Elmo", your help may be needed if only to tell me where to hit it with a hammer to give it a painless death! [Roll Eyes]

--------------------
"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

| IP: Logged

Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 17, 2007 07:33 AM

Age old problem this one and you will find that its been covered many times on this forum. I'm sure a search for GS1200 on the forum would have given you guys the answer and hopefully stopped you getting to the point of using hammers [Big Grin]

This problem is caused by the rec/playback change over switches on the amplifier board. As these machines spend most of their lives playing back movies these self cleaning switches never get used with the result that the exposed contacts get tarnished.
This results in strange feedback noises, level meters which don't work or are hard over in the red, no sound on playback on one channel or both and possibly no recording on one or both tracks.

The first line of action is to put the machine into forward run with no film. Now press in the spot record button on the rear panel and then press both record switches to put the machine in record. Now slide the spot record switch to release the machine out of the record state. Repeat this procedure about a dozen times with out stopping the machine and keep the vol controls at min to stop any nasty noises coming from the speakers.

This should be all that is required to sort this problem. If the problem is really persistent then the front cover will have to be removed and the two long switch banks will have to have some switch cleaner applied...this is easier said than done as the switches are not very accessible unless the amp module is removed and then split down.

I would suggest that anyone unfamiliar with the removal of the machines covers etc should download the service manual from the manuals section on this forum and then follow the instructions carefully.

To keep this problem at bay in the future I would suggest that the machine is put into record mode a couple of times each time the machine is used and without any film running through. This will help to keep the switch contacts clean.

Hope that helps you guys, Kev. [Smile]

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2