8mm Forum: Elmo GS audio problems

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Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 20, 2009, 06:56 AM:

Both my Elmo GS, in perfect condition and always perfectly working, are actually having sound problems. Are they maybe twin-brothers?

One of them has a sound problem in playback mode: sound goes and comes in channel 2, while projecting stereo movies. So, while screening a stereo film, sound from loudspeaker 2 disappears and (not always) comes back. No problems at all if MONO mode is selected.

My second GS has suddenly a problem with volume of channel 2: a whistle-like noise getting louder and louder if I lift the volume. Noise is present when I screen in both STEREO or MONO mode.

Any suggestion? So weird it happened at the same time with both of them.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on May 20, 2009, 07:56 AM:

I'm a novice at GS's...I just got my first one about two weeks ago, but the whistling thing has happened on my St's from time to time....and kicking the record buttons in and out several times with leader or something running on it seemed to fix it. That may not be your problem...on the one machine, but it's worth a try.

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 20, 2009, 08:07 AM:

Hello Gary. Thanks a lot for your reply. Of course I'll try and let you know.
Take care!

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on May 20, 2009, 11:20 AM:

Gian, the problem with the first GS, is most likley to be dirty switches as this has happened to mine (and nearly everybody else). Just squirt some switch cleaner in the Stereo/Mono switch and move it up and down a lot to clean it. You may have to repeat this process several times before it gets really clean. If this dosent work try another switch. It may be best to squirt switch cleaner with the machine laying on its back.

Good luck,

Graham

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 20, 2009, 05:53 PM:

Hello Graham, thanks a lot for your suggestion. I'll do it and let you know if it worked.
Grazie!

GIAN

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on May 22, 2009, 04:42 PM:

You will probably find that is the cause with both machines. The rec/playback switch is the source of many strange ills on the machines simply through lack of use.

Kev.

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 22, 2009, 06:51 PM:

Thank you Kevin. I will try to take a look as soon as possible. I'm actually having a very busy week. No time for our beloved passion... [Frown]

Posted by Flavio Stabile (Member # 357) on May 26, 2009, 10:57 AM:

Hi Gian!
Did you solve the sound problem with your 2 GS?

Flavio

[ March 24, 2018, 06:57 PM: Message edited by: Flavio Stabile ]

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on May 27, 2009, 01:19 AM:

Hi from Australia,
Can anyone help with ideas to fix a GS-800 that has a dead motor.
I have checked the obvious things like fuses but it all seems OK, just no motor operation at all. Lamp works fine. A clean looking machine that seems original.
dogtor

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on May 27, 2009, 12:20 PM:

A little suprised that a commercial "Projector Specialist" is looking to a bunch of amateur enthusiasts for help with a repair on a machine he will then presumably sell!! Presumably his "Specialist" knowledge extends only to "fuses".

Martin

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on May 28, 2009, 02:31 PM:

That was cutting [Frown]

Maybe he hasn't worked on Elmo's before. I welcome anyone on the forum especially as he may be an expert in other areas and with other machines. If we can help Frank then I would hope he could help us in the future.

I would check the transistors on the speed control board as they do pack up sometimes.

Kev.

Posted by Antoine Orsero (Member # 41) on May 29, 2009, 01:36 PM:

I bought my first GS to a man who had a cat!

The projector was in excellent condition!

When I tried the stereo was not working and there was a spitting in the speaker!

By removing the amp, I noticed it was full of cat hair!

After cleaning, everything has functioned normally

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on May 30, 2009, 03:47 AM:

Thanks Kevin for the tip on the transistors.
I will get them checked & report back with the result.
I am a one man band called Projector Heaven.
Borne out of a boundless enthusiasm for all Movie Projectors & now, at 64, widowed & in my retirement, an ex motor mechanic, I can now fiddle & fix my beloved movie Projectors whenever I want. This I do in all my spare time, mainly helping out others that need my service here in Australia. People need projectors to help copy their home movies. I provide serviced projectors to anyone that wants one.
My experience is not too good with Elmos yet, although by reading the posts here I have learned a lot about them. Thanks for that to all. I have an ST1200, ST600, GS 800 & I love them.
Hanimex Eikis or Elfs as you call them,& Eumigs are probably my specialty & I have in my possession a pile of genuine Eumig factory manuals for most of the 800 & 900 series Super 8 sound machines. These are very detailed & rare publications that I havent seen anywhere else. I am happy to share them with the board members as well as owners manuals for all projectors, of which I have built up a good library.
I collect Pathescopes & have a few Gems, a Son, 10 hand cranked Babies, a motorised Baby, an Ace. Also old 16mm Kodaks.
The GS 800 is a projector that I bought on ebay this month & believed it was a going machine. Sadly, it has this serious motor problem & I am grateful to Kevin for pointing me in the right direction to look. I had no idea what to check 1st.
Here is an example of what I sell in OZ.
Item number: 250429676398 on ebay Australia.
From there you can see what other projectors I have in my store. You can also read my feedback to determine wether I am some one you would like to associate with or not.
So I hope that clears up any misconceptions as to my motives and I will keep reading the posts, & even contribute if I can.
regards to all
Dogtor Pufferfish

Posted by Viktor Gibarti (Member # 1560) on May 30, 2009, 04:07 AM:

Hi Frank!

Can you sell projector to Hungary as well? I am looking for a GS-800 projector!

Thanks,
Viktor

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on May 30, 2009, 06:10 AM:

Hi Viktor & other Elmo lovers,
here is a quick pic of the GS-800 for all to enjoy.
This is definately not a sales pitch Martin, as the machine isn't really for sale. Viktor has asked about it & I am happy to show it off to fellow Projector enthusiasts anytime.
Occasionally I have sold stuff to USA clients but usually don't send Projectors overseas as the logistics are tricky with considerable risks & high costs for both the seller & the buyer.
The air shipping to Europe for a projector is usually about $200 or more, so it may not be worth while.
However, if you want to email me direct with a proposal Viktor, I will give it some thought.

P. S.
I was born in Budapest in 1947
near the Balaton Sarszag Lake area I am told.
Came to Australia as a 3 year old in 1951
What a surprising coincidence Viktor.

dogtor@projectorheaven.com.au

dogtor pufferfish

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on May 30, 2009, 07:58 AM:

Okay, I'm being taunted to reply, so I will, with as much dignity as I can muster!
Frank, I have no beef whatsoever with your being a commercial organization selling items relating to our hobby. Many of the Forum members are and we all know that, and appreciate the input they so freely give to enthusiasts. And I fully appreciate and agree with the pseudo-commercial aspect of enthusiast selling to enthusiast films and equipment that they have no further use for in order to pursue the different acquisitions that make the hobby so richly rewarding. And I support, and indeed praise, the selfless attitude that is common amongst us of helping each other with the impartation of knowledge gained by experience of the hobby.
All I did, which appears to have upset you, is to express surprise that a new member who appeared to be purely a hobbyist from the content of his posts, but turned out to be a commercial projector and other item retailer, needed to consult on how to effect basic repairs on a common model of machine. The wording of the post in question implied that that you were inexperienced in such matters ("I've checked the obvious things like fuses but it all seems OK") whereas your website describes the items you have for sale as "serviced" and "serviced A1", and yourself as a "specialist technician". That was actually your second post on the Forum; the first also read exactly like one enthusiast offering to sell another enthusiast (David Pannell) a Victor projector.
It would have been better to have put your cards on the table at the outset; (have a look at my first ever post)...
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003729# 000000
then everyone would know who was who and what was what.
Kevin is absolutely right; everyone, within reason, is welcome on the Forum and it doesn't matter whether you are "trade" or not. Hopefully you will be able to see your way clear to freely offer help and advice to members from your experience. And I add to that welcome.
Cheers,

Martin

[ May 30, 2009, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Martin Jones ]

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on June 01, 2009, 03:33 PM:

Gary, Graham, thanks a lot for your posts. I did what you had suggested and my GS n. 1 (I will do the same to the second one as soon as I use it) and all seems actually to be in order. Thanks a lot, pals!

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on June 04, 2009, 06:04 AM:

Hi again to all the Members on the Board from down under.
I wanted to report back about the problem I had with the GS800 that had no motor function at all. After Kevin suggested the transistors on the speed board were worth looking at, I pulled the board out intending to get an electronics whizz to test it.
Upon close inspection however, I noticed that a link in the printed circuit of the speed board appeared to have corroded or been damaged somehow. It was open circuit, so I used a jumper wire to bridge the link & it all came to life again.
After a bit of oil in the right spots, it played a sound movie with no problems & everything else on it appears Ok.
I notice that the 2 speed switch has no effect on the motor speed & it is only capable of 24 fps at the moment. This is variable downwards using the external speed reostat.
So while it isn't perfect yet, it now plays super 8mm sound films & thats all I really wanted. Fantastic, clear sound.
When I have time I will take the board out again to recheck all the tiny printed circuit links. You need a magnifying glass to do this & very good eyesight. I think I was very lucky.
Thanks Kevin for your help.
dogtor pufferfish

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on June 04, 2009, 11:29 AM:

I SO hate working on my GS1200! But Kev, Bill Parsons,and many others here on the forum have kept my GS running for many moons.And even my Eumigs!Welcome to the forum and enjoy the best Super 8 information on the planet. Universe maybe! [Smile]

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on June 04, 2009, 11:03 PM:

I notice a magnificent GS 1200 xenon has just been listed on ebay australia at $1200.

Looks superb. What do others think of it?
Has a lot of extra bits with it too.

Item number: 170340617003
wish I could have it.

dogtor pufferfish

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 09, 2009, 06:42 AM:

Firstly, it is great to see another Aussie here on the Forum, welcome Frank.

I would think most of us in this hobby buy and sell films and projectors, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. From what I have seen on ebay here in Australia, Frank presents his equipment with lots of quality pictures and information; an enthusiast of the first order. They look beautifully presented.

This forum is all about asking for help and sharing problems, from what I have seen, most requests for help have been greeted enthusiastically.

I am a professional in this business in that I'm a drive-in theatre owner and often a seller of used equipment from Super 8 to 35/70mm. I have formal qualifications in electronics, projection optics, projection technology and sound all from the Royal Melbourne Institute Of Technology. I have also lectured at this institution.

I have dozens of other qualifications projection related and was formerlly the National Technical Manager for the largest cinema company outside of North America. The reason for for all of this is that I often ask for help from the great specialist knowledge on this forum and learn something every time I visit and read.

The lines between a projection specialist and a knowledgeable amateur are blurred....and always have been in this business.

I have asked for advice on my Elmos and Eumigs and always been appreciative of the response. If I can help any of you with 35mm multiplex cinema design and projection equipment advice, please ask!

I must admit, checking the motor control section of the relavent PCB would have been about check number five on my list of a dead motor on a GS 800, but the fuse would have been first.

David

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