Pathescope Gem and Asbestos Wiring?

[John Wakefield]

Hello all! I'm new here but long been a beneficiary of the brilliant 9.5mm community in the Uk and built up quite a collection of prints and projectors.

I have a couple of Gem's that I've used for a long time. One, had been earthed and refitted with a led bulb by its previous owner while retaining the original cloth wire and looks amazing. All have the original cloth cables.

I have always been aware of asbestos (especially potentially in lamp housings, or old model steam boiler cladding) but this week for the first time I read that it had been used in cloth wiring sometimes, particularly in heat resistant circumstances. I wondered if anyone knew if this was the case with the Gems?

Fortunately the Princess (my favourite of all the Pathescope devices) was fitted with rubber cabling.

I feel this is something only people really familiar with these machines may know! Any help, thoughts greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[John Wakefield]

Having looked into this further it seems it very likely does and is very worth bearing in mind when rewiring or using these machines. Please do take note for your safety!

Here is an example of almost identical wiring showing the asbestos insulation - https://www.flickr.com/photos/asbest...n/photostream/

[Ken Finch]

Hi John.
I doubt very much that your GEM cable has asbestos, merely a white cord inner. This is because it is not likely to get hot. The inner rubber covered cables may have become brittle and cracked over the years which could short out and blow the fuse fitted in the plug. I suggest you change the cable anyway to be safe. Your Princess was based on the ACE and the last one produced by Pathescope. Not really the best for aging prints!

[Ken Finch]

I think many of us would be interested to know what L E D bulb is fitted in your Gem as I for one have not yet found one that gives sufficient light output to replace the halogen replacements that are now under threat of discontinuation by the lighting industry despite the use in scientific and medical instruments.

[John Wakefield]

Hi Ken,

My apologies, it's definitely a halogen bulb I think! I'm not technical at all, projectors are magical objects to me - I make radio so anything physical or visual is beyond my knowledge

I actually had an asbestos surveyor in to look at this and a couple of other items that had suspect material just to be super safe. While the Gems' wires weren't tested he thought it was highly likely and I've found other identical wires of the same era - e.g this Cona Coffee Maker - described as 'asbestos wire' - https://emuseum.aberdeencity.gov.uk/...x-coffee-maker

While I was told it was safe to handle in its current state, Equally I was told removing the wire at an uninsulated point safely for proper disposal was advisable.

I had heard that about the Princess which is why I've only ever used the Gem. Equally my Princess does not have a ground so I've never wished to plug it in unless it was rewired.

I would love for my own peace of mind to get my Gems rewired. Do you know of anyone who would be able to help with this?