8mm Forum: Beaulieu 708EL Help Needed

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Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on November 30, 2014, 01:56 PM:

Hi Folks,

I recently acquired a very nice Beaulieu 708EL, like new. I plugged it in and turned the switcher to play and rewind but, the motor ran way to fast in both play and reverse. I trimmed the end of my reel to test and it wouldn't pass through the front of the gate but, behind it -- causing a very loud sound before shutting I turned it off.

I switched the voltage form 127 to 110v but, the problem is still there.

What's going on here and and what can be done to fix the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2014, 03:46 PM:

Sounds like you may need the instruction manual first and foremost to learn the basics on this lovely machine. Did it come with the manual and are you switching the large rotary knob while threading?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 30, 2014, 04:05 PM:

An higher voltage setting cannot hurt the projector. It is set on a higher fugure to prevent precisely overvoltage that could blow the bulb. My Beaulieu accepts only films that have the leader cut by the Beaulieu cutter ; all the others fail to move on properly. But that doesn't explain the noise you're experimenting.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2014, 04:48 PM:

The point is Dominique, the machine may not even be being operated correctly,which is why I asked the aforementioned questions. If the knob is turned prior to threading the motor will run fast and the film will not thread. We shall have to wait and see first if Gerald has the manual and an appropriate film trimmer as often the one built into the machine is either overlooked or worn out through trying to get through polyester stock many hundreds of times.

These machines are superb, but they have their own set of disciplines in use, different to many other machines, and even then, they can develop speed related faults as has been well documented previously on here and other Beaulieu related forums.

[ December 01, 2014, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 30, 2014, 04:53 PM:

Except if the "mode" button is wrongly set on "variable" and the speed adjust on +, I don't see what it could be.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2014, 04:55 PM:

You cannot turn the main knob prior to threading Dominique.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 30, 2014, 05:04 PM:

That's correct Andrew but the "mode" button is separated from the main one, it is located beside (on the right) the "speed" button.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2014, 05:08 PM:

Yes I know Dominique but at the moment the film isn't even getting to the lower sprocket which is why it would appear to be an operating issue first and foremost. Once threaded correctly we can work on any speed related issues, if indeed there are any.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 30, 2014, 05:11 PM:

It is indeed always better to wait to have the right information before trying anything that could damage the projector. Especially with valuable machines like these.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2014, 05:14 PM:

Which takes me right back to the beginning of this Dominique with my initial question...Do you have the instruction manual?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on November 30, 2014, 05:45 PM:

I'll back Andrew on this one. Altough I sold my 708 a while ago (ang gave the manual to the new owner), as far as I remember, threading is achieved only by pressing down on a small lever sitting on top of the first sprocket wheel while the main control rotary knob is in the idle position. Good trimming of the leader is also essential (two small 45° angled cuts on both sides). Lacing the machince can also be done manually.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 30, 2014, 05:46 PM:

I hope Gerald has it.

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on November 30, 2014, 06:45 PM:

Thanks again for your replies, I appreciate it.

This is a like new machine but, it did not come with a manual. I will try again with the tips you provided later tonight and report back then. I did turn the knob to run the motor before threading so, that may be the issue.

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on November 30, 2014, 11:48 PM:

So, the machine is back out. I pressed down on the lever with the motor on idle and it continues to spin very fast at around 48fps--like fast forward. I changed the setting to 18 and the sound of the motor running is more like 24fps.

I got film to thread through the gate, which was going behind it at first, when I did not press down on the lever. So, that part of it is okay but, the motor is still running very fast both in forward and reverse while on 24fps. The variable speed adjusting knob does not slow it down nor, make a difference when moved, only the switch from 24 to 18 fps.

When I tried to run film, the supply reel started to spin forward, uncoiling film, instead of sitting idle and letting the take up reel do the work.

If anyone has a manual handy, I would be glad to pay for copy.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on December 01, 2014, 02:25 AM:

Gerald
Oldtimer Cameras, here in the UK, can supply various manuals. They are always of a very high standard.
http://www.oldtimercameras.com/stock/Model.asp?Model=947&ModelPage=true

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on December 01, 2014, 11:55 AM:

At a hunch, I would guess the speed issue may well be the usual CS140 motor regulating chip fault if you have already checked the most obvious component,the optical sensor mechanism.

If this turns out to be the case, you will need to locate a spare chipset Gerald (e bay or Wittners), then get an electronics engineer to change it out and check the rest of the drive circuit.

Ultimately you will need to order the service manual as Maurice quite correctly points out from Old Timers Cameras to gain a full understanding of what may or may not be wrong.

There are 128 pages in this manual, so far too many to post all possibilities without you first having a read of it yourself Gerald to gain a satisfactory level of understanding on the projector and how it works.

When these machines are working as designed they are IMHO the best you are likely to ever own, even better if you buy a two/three blade shutter replacement for the 20% extra brightness achievable @24fps in 2 blade mode.

[ December 01, 2014, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

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