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Author Topic: New member with Bolex 18-5 problem
Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 06, 2016 08:38 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Greetings all and thanks for the add to your site. I'm hoping someone can enlighten me on a issue I'm having with my 8mm Bolex. The other night we were watching old home movies and after reloading another movie the projector lamp wouldn't work. motor runs fine belts are new so I figured the bulb must of went so I purchased 2 new correct bulbs and figured I was good to go, nope no lamp. Cleaned all surfaces with emery paper
tried 3 different bulbs and nothing. Could it be the switch has a problem? Any help and direction would be very helpful. Thanks Tom

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 06, 2016 10:44 PM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
As good and reliable the 18-5 projector is, their weak spot is the switch. Unfortunately, I know of no simple fix. The switch problem, when there is one, invariably is related to the lamp, just as in your case.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted April 07, 2016 03:41 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Tom

I have one doing the exact same thing at the moment [Frown] however I don't feel all is lost and will have a look at the switch etc when I have more time later next week.

I am sure I can work something out to bring it back to life, will get back to you next week.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 07, 2016 09:20 AM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
That would be great Graham, I did take off the switch housing and was peeking around it but wasn't sure how to proceed from there so i put it back together. I figure there must be something a person can do so I'm holding out hope for your success. Thanks for your replies guys. I finally happened upon about 200 movies my grandparents and my folks made from the late 50's and early 60's and it was great watching them before the bulb issue. I really love this old Bolex so I may have to watch Ebay to see if I can find another working one. If I can't figure out the problem,
Thanks Tom

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted April 07, 2016 10:34 AM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Tom, the Bolex 18-5 is a superb 8mm projector. I have had mine for 40 years now and it still performs flawlessly, and has never scratched a frame of film. Beautiful rock steady projection and a very sharp picture. Even the control knob handle still glows in the dark! It is the only projector which I entrust with my 60 year old Kodachrome home movies.
If you can't fix that switch I would definitely get another 18-5.

--------------------
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

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 07, 2016 11:18 AM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I agree with Paul about getting another one. Since you have the power cord, you may be able to get one for a reasonable price on Ebay. Many of them sold there are without the cord.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 07, 2016 05:46 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I'm currently watching a few on Ebay right now, but just trying to see which one looks the best. I might even check out the super 8 models because i have a few old Castle horror films to watch as well.

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 08, 2016 10:38 AM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
If you find a super 8 model you like, ask the seller if it is the newer model with the halogen lamp or the older model with the "Spaceman" lamp. You would want the newer model as the lamp for the older model is VERY expensive and becoming hard to find. It is not made anymore. It is not the same lamp as the one that you have in you 8mm.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 08, 2016 11:04 AM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Good info Barry is there any way of looking at the pictures to tell if it's the newer model? Another question Barry is there another good super 8 model you would recommend? Maybe even a good sound one. I'm still going to grab another 18-5 I really like them
Thanks Barry

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 08, 2016 07:25 PM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Tom, you need to see a picture of the projector with the lamp housing cover off. If the lamp is in the projector, it will be very obvious. If the lamp is not there, the older projector will have a socket showing at the base. The newer one will have two wires connected to a white ceramic two pin connector that would be plugged into the back of the newer lamp. You can search this forum for suggestions about the best projectors. For recommendations, what price range are you looking at? I am very partial to the Sankyo 2000H as it runs both regular 8mm and Super 8mm without changing out parts. They also make sound models. I have a 700 and like it. Elmo is also a very good choice for a sound projector. If you get a projector on ebay, it is a crap shoot. I have had pretty good luck, but at a minimum you will likely need to replace some belts. Ask before you bid. If you don't see mention of a power cord or a pic of it, ask if it is included. Ask if it has been tested with film. Most of the sellers pick the projectors up at sales and will say they have no film to test it with. Many write narratives that are intentionally very vague. Plugging it in and "hearing the motor hum" tells you very little about the condition. Also, if you are planning on bidding on a projector, go to donsbulbs.com and enter the make and model in the equipment search box. Determine what type of lamp it takes. There are a number of Bell & Howell and other brands that use a very expensive lamp. You can check Don's prices which are about triple what you would pay elsewhere, but if you Google the three letter lamp designation you will be able to go to sites and ebay and see what the lamp sells for.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 08, 2016 07:48 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Right now I'm thinking I will look for a dedicated Super 8 and than down the road invest in a sound machine. I just would like to find one that is pretty much trouble free or easy to work on if need be.. So far all the Bolex 18-5L supers on Ebay have the old spaceman bulbs in them but i'm waiting to hear back from a couple sellers. As far as my price range goes i suppose a couple hundred dollars give or take for a good Super8. I didn't find any Sankyo 2000 on ebay at this time to look at.

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 08, 2016 10:39 PM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
If you don't have one, you should get a digital multimeter. With it you could test continuity of bulbs and also measure voltage to your lamp socket. Also useful for dozens of other things.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 10, 2016 09:04 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I do have a couple meters Barry so I will do some checking. Right now I'm waiting for a gentleman to get back to me on a 18-5 i enquired about, but I did pickup a Bolex SM8 that I'm looking forward to get and try it out. Price was very reasonable so I thought I would give it a try. We will see how it performs.
Thanks

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted April 11, 2016 07:43 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Tom

Well that was an easy fix [Big Grin]

Tom what I did was to remove the three little screws that hold the switch in place and on the back.. the electrical side.. there are two "large red" wires. One comes from the transformer to the switch and the other to the lamp itself. Using an ohm meter I checked across the switch and it was fine.

Anyway, even though I had cleaned the lamp holder base I had not cleaned the solder part of the lamp itself.

I used some 320 or 400 grade wet and dry emery paper giving both the lamp and the lamp holder a good polish up this time and that did the trick...bingo the lamp works [Cool]

While I still had the switch pulled out, I sprayed CRC Contact cleaner a number of times directly into the electrical side of the switch at the same time rotating the switch a number of times...giving the contacts a real workout.

On the safety side of things, make sure the mains lead is removed altogether from the projector when you are doing any of this work, also make sure contact cleaner in given plenty of time to evaporate.

Tom my feeling is that if you again clean the contact side of both the base of the lamp, and polish up that flat contact strip on the lamp holder with emery paper you might just be back in business.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted April 11, 2016 07:51 PM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
No end to the expertise and help you get on this forum. [Smile]

--------------------
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

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009


 - posted April 11, 2016 10:38 PM      Profile for Barry Fritz   Email Barry Fritz   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Good catch Graham. I didn't think to mention that. It is amazing how a bit of corrosion can put lamps out of order. It is especially true of the newer halogen lamps with the two small pins. Something that should always be checked first.
Tom, if you don't have the User Manual for the SM8, I have a PDF of it.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted April 13, 2016 01:14 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Barry

I totally agree regarding those pins. I have had the odd new spare lamp, and because I have had them a while in storage the pins have corroded away, which makes the lamp useless.

I did buy some Osram lamps lately, and they are much better looking in the pin department, so I am now totally sold on Osram [Smile]

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012


 - posted April 13, 2016 05:26 AM      Profile for Andrew Woodcock         Edit/Delete Post 
Always your best bet Graham! [Smile]

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

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 13, 2016 05:45 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for the help everyone, I will give the emery paper another try maybe I didn't do it good enough. Plus I will test the 3 lamps tonight but I wouldn't think all 3 were bad. Of coarse my luck you just never no.

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 13, 2016 08:45 PM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Well I cleaned up everything real good. Tried checking the bulbs but I'm not getting any continuity on the 3 bulbs. I even gave them a little touchup. Is there a trick to checking these or am I missing something? Maybe I do have 3 bad lamps. What are the chances of that. Lol

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted April 14, 2016 12:16 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Tom

Did you remove the lamp to check its continuity? did you check your meter first, and that its working by making contact by touching both the probes together? lastly if it is the lamps you can put your meter across in the lamp holder one being the strip that makes contact with the base of the lamp with your "positive probe" the other probe onto the earth that's "anywhere" on the metal holder itself you should getting a reading of 8 volts "AC"

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 14, 2016 01:27 AM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Ritchie,

Yes I removed the lamp from the holder and was checking for continuity that way. ( Oh meter is working) Last I checked for voltage with projector running. i had probe on strip that makes contact with bottom of the lamp other on the lamp holder. It reads 9 volts. On my meter.I hope Im doing this right seems logical to me. Im not a electrical wiz.
Thanks Tom

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted April 14, 2016 03:17 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Tom

Skip the Ritchie bit...its Graham [Smile]

Tom if you are getting the 8 volts AC, then without doubt its your lamps. I am surprised you have three duds on your hands, but it certainly sounds like it. Can you still get them?

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Tom Riley
Junior
Posts: 15
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016


 - posted April 14, 2016 08:57 AM      Profile for Tom Riley     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
That was my next question Graham. What is the best place to pick up another Lamp? These were all Phillips (stock lamps) off EBay.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted April 14, 2016 09:52 AM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
You can check the continuity of the lamps with your multimeter.
Top Bulbs in the USA sells the CXL/CXR lamps, and they have a 30day guarantee on them. The CXL is the 'Robby the Robot' lamp, and the CXR is a more conventional lamp with an internal elliptical reflector. They are interchangeable in the 18-5 projector, and as far as I can tell they give about the same screen illumination. They are not cheap, but mine seem to last a long time, and I have never had a problem with Top Bulb:

http://www.topbulb.com/cxl-bulb-50w-8v-6-25a-t8-incandescent-cxl?___SID=U

--------------------
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

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