Elmo 16CL Broken Main Switch Replacement

[Janice Glesser]

The main switch shaft broke off one night while turning the selector knob. The switch could not be repaired. A replacement switch from another collector's parts projector was offered to me. However the process to replace this switch is not for the faint of heart. This multi-functional switch contains close to 20 wired connections and the steps to removing the original switch consists of carefully removing and loosening specific parts to get access to the switch. For me... the service manual was of little use in this regard.



Once I got access to the switch...before removing it, I labeled each connected wire and documented the color and where each wire was positioned on the switch. A tedious process... but necessary.



After removing the broken switch, I just followed the diagram to connect the wires to the new switch. Before putting everything back together again...I did a short test to check that the detente and wiring all worked properly.



HERE’S MY TEST VIDEO

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fJfaSRi3UgpZwSrP8


I have a PDF document detailing the step-by-step process in replacing the switch. PM me if you would like a copy.

[Mark Mander]

Great job Janice, it's nice when you repair a machine yourself, even better when it all works too, Mark

[Janice Glesser]

Thank you Mark! I really like the Elmo 16CL projector. I have 5 of them and trade off to keep them running. They are all getting older and parts are going to eventually fail. I'm much more comfortable with 8mm projector repair... but I've had to dabble in 16mm repairs since getting into the gauge. Luckily I've narrowed it down to just one brand of projector which helps with the learning curve. This repair was probably my most challenging to date.