8mm Forum: 15V Transformer to power an EFR Lamp?

This is topic 15V Transformer to power an EFR Lamp? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 29, 2016, 07:16 PM:

Happy Memorial day everybody - especially members of the forum who served our country.

Does anybody where I can could find a transformer to power an EFR Bulb in an Elmo Projector? The problem I've having is that have 2 Elmo Projectors (SC-30 and ST-1200HD) That are both from Japan and have 100V fixed transformers. I ran a reel of film through each; the projector motors and sound amplifiers work just fine with with 120v power - However as mentioned in a previous post, both blow EFR bulbs immediately up changing them, the first strike of the new lamp burns it out. However the exciter lamps on both machines run perfectly fine with on 120v power. I tried changing the fuses, and checking the lines for a short which neither seem to have - yet the both have the same problem. I could get an external transformer, but I would rather have one I could mount internally at least in the SC-30 were there is a lot of space. If anybody knows where I could pick up a transformer 120v to 100v step down transformer that is capable of handling a 15v 150w EFR bulb please let me known. I dont know if this is simply not a feasible solution to the problem. Any help would be most appreciated.

Have good rest of the holiday weekend. [Smile]

Posted by Mark Creighton (Member # 5276) on May 29, 2016, 08:53 PM:

Have you looked at the possibility of using a variac (Variable AC Power Transformer) to power the projector?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 29, 2016, 08:54 PM:

Japanese transformers are certainly a hot commodity on here this week!

The external transformer is possible, but kind of awkward. It means you'd need an extra plug, extra cabling, and some kind of enclosure to make it safe.

It sounds like you need a travel adapter to plug the machine into. The catch is you actually need a Japanese travel adapter: there has to be 100V on the output end.

Parts of Japan run 60 Hz, others run 50. You may need to move your belts to get the frame rate OK.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 29, 2016, 08:59 PM:

Double Post

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 29, 2016, 09:16 PM:

I found one Steve, this one and it's low priced enough, but would I was kinda of looking to do was actually add a 2nd transformer to the the projector to power the lamp so I didn't have to use a Japanese to US external step-down adapter, they a bit large with the housing and outlets. Though I would rather just wire in a transformer on the SC-30 and mount it internally. I suppose I could buy the step-down Tranformer and tear the transformer out of it, but I would rather avoid this if possible. I would rather just wire in a transformer on the SC-30 and mount it internally. I suppose I could buy the stepdown adapter and tear the transformer out of it, but I would rather avoid this if possible.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 30, 2016, 03:32 AM:

Robert

I don't know anything about the mains supply in the US, but I think it would be a lot of work to install transformers inside your projectors, that is, even if you could find some.

My own personal advice based on the excellent transformers which you linked to would be to buy one of these. It would be so simple. One lead to your mains supply outlet, and a second lead to the projector.

Perhaps some member with electrical knowledge could advise what wattage transformer you should buy.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 30, 2016, 04:05 AM:

Transformer power ratings are given in VA Maurice, not watts. This then allows for errors between apparent power versus actual power due to inductance and capacitance in a.c. circuits.(Power Factor correction in the calculation)

Posted by Jason Smith (Member # 5055) on May 30, 2016, 04:36 AM:

This may be a little off topic but I'm curious why Robert's ST-1200 and SC-30 only have 100V transformers. I just popped off the back of my Elmo ST-180 MO that was made for the Japanese market. It has a 125V 3A transformer in it. I'm guessing that Elmo made projectors that could be exported to the USA and some that couldn't.

After reading this older post(which I linked below), I'm curious if Steven had a machine with a 125v transformer if he could just change something on the transformer to make it work in the USA.

http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008772

This picture is of my ST-180 transformer. My ST-180 has a P1 and P2 connector on the board just like the Japanese ST-800 that's pictured in the link above.

Does anyone who have a USA model elmo ST-180? If so could you confirm that on their transformer there is a connector on the board going to P2 and not P1?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 30, 2016, 05:51 AM:

Andrew
Here is another link to the transformers mentioned by Robert. You will see that they are rated in watts.
http://www.frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&cat=&query_string=PHILMORE+300-Watt+Japan+to+USA+or+USA+to+Japan+STEP+UP%2FSTEP+DOWN+Transformer.

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 30, 2016, 07:07 AM:

Jason, that would be Ideal - I actually do have a transformer from an Elmo st-600 5 voltage settings. The only thing is the lamp is 12v in the st600 and the 600 I owned didn't have optical sound, so I don't think it would work - or perhaps some modifications would be required that I am simply not competent enough to perform. Thanks all the help everybody, I guess I'm going to go with the step-down external transformer.

Happy Memorial Day.

Posted by Phil Murat (Member # 5148) on May 30, 2016, 10:05 AM:

High Robert,

Suggest you not to spend too much money to make modification, hope this link helpfull (BUS Power oversized) :

http://fr.aliexpress.com/item/Best-quality-15V-30A-450W-Switching-Power-Supply-Driver-for-CCTV-camera-LED-Strip-AC-100/32435576776.html?isOrigTitle=true

Let me know

Phil

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 30, 2016, 12:19 PM:

That is as maybe Maurice, but they ought not to be. [Wink]

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 30, 2016, 12:46 PM:

Phil, Thank you for link it's essentially what but can it lower the lower the power output to the lamp to 100v from the imput of 120v? I didn't look that way to me unfortunately from the English description. Merci

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 30, 2016, 03:12 PM:

This will provide you 15V for the lamp from an AC input.

It will cost you the two level lamp brightness (not that I use mine particularly ever...)

I like the 100V-115V converter you found. If it was me and I was certain there is no 115V tap on the transformers I'd grab the 500W one and call it a day.

Einstein said "Everything should be as simple as possible, but no simpler."

(-or was that Yogi Berra? It kinda sounds like him!)

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on May 30, 2016, 03:13 PM:

Hi Robert,
I am sure you have seen the other thread on this but if you can move the tap on the transformer from P1 to P2 that should do the trick. It did on my Japanese GS800.
The only thing you will have to check is to see if the motors will run at the correct speed. The GS800 will because its a DC motor but the Elmo ST1200 needs to have the belts changed for the HZ difference. I don't know about the SC30.

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 30, 2016, 07:31 PM:

Thanks Steve and Alan - I wasn't aware of the lamp brightness issues with the 15v transformer so I ordered the 120v to 100v step up/down transformer I linked earlier. I going to look into changing the transformer from P1 to P2 but I'm not sure I have the technical skill. However My father is a retired electrical engineer and he might know how to do that. Thanks everybody for you advice.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 30, 2016, 07:58 PM:

Let's us all hope so Robert if he is indeed a retired electrical engineer!!

I'd sure like to think so.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 30, 2016, 08:17 PM:

Notice he said "retired electrical engineer" and not "former electrical engineer".

-once an engineer, always an engineer!

(Just ask my wife!)

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 30, 2016, 08:35 PM:

Andrew - I think I might have misunderstood, what Jason and you trying to point out, do you mean it may be as simple as changing where the wire is on the fuse board? I took a picture and labeled to illustrate:

. I thought you were talking about moving something on the actual transformer. Thanks again

Steve - you absolutely my father has been doing engineering projects from time to time. He's still a good engineer.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on May 30, 2016, 10:17 PM:

Yes Robert,
With the power unplugged you just move one wire to the other pin.

That is before I moved the wire to P2. No need to solder! [Smile]

Posted by Phil Murat (Member # 5148) on May 30, 2016, 11:28 PM:

High Robert

Look at the pictures:

You can select 120 v or 220v as necessary :

http://fr.aliexpress.c om/item/Best-quality-15V-30A-450W-Switching-Power-Supply-Driver-for-CCTV-camera-LED-Strip-AC-100/32435576776.html?isOrigTitle=true

the range tolerance is +/- 15% , means 15V for 100V, normally this is enough for what you need, means also 15v is ensured between 100v to 240 v

Posted by Robert Saraceno (Member # 4422) on May 31, 2016, 04:36 PM:

Success! Just moving one little wire to the right on the SC-30 changed to proper voltage - and the speed ran just fine, I'm hoping for the same result with the ST-1200. Thanks everyone for your help.

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