Eumig P8 M Imperial tripping mains RCB

[Alexander Ford]

Hello All, I wonder if anybody can help me please? I have recently acquired a Eumig P8 M Imperial. It runs for around 2 minutes and then the mains supply RCB trips off. Does anybody know of a particular thing with this model of projector that causes that? It has a large green capacitor above the motor and wondered if that could be the cause as I understand capacitors break down after a number of years and this one must be over 50 Years old. Thanks in advance!

[Joseph Banfield]

Just remove the capacitor completely as it really isn't needed these days anyway. It was used back in the day as a filter for things like AM (medium wave) radios. They often short and explode with a loud bang. It should absolutely be removed or replaced at this point in time.

[Alexander Ford]

Thank you Joseph. Literally just disconnect the Capacitor where it joins to the parts in the projector? Thanks for the explanation, understood. Hopefully this will stop the projector tripping the RCB! I’ve not accessed the rest of the interior yet but I understand the black plate on the bottom unscrew’s to gain further access? TIA!

[Joseph Banfield]

Yes, that's right. That capacitor is just used as a filter and can be removed with no performance issues whatsoever to the projector. Take that capacitor out of circuit and try your projector again and see if that does not correct your problem.

[Simon McConway]

I’d suggest replacing not removing that capacitor as it could be a motor start capacitor. Removing this could mean the motor will not start.

[Alexander Ford]

I’d suggest replacing not removing that capacitor as it could be a motor start capacitor. Removing this could mean the motor will not start.

Understood. I’ll take it out of the circuit and see what happens. If no motor movement then I can turn the power off immediately. Thanks.

[Joseph Banfield]

I’d suggest replacing not removing that capacitor as it could be a motor start capacitor. Removing this could mean the motor will not start.

The Eumig P8 projector's motor uses carbon brushes so it's not a capacitor start motor.

[Simon Wyss]

I must issue a warning. Eumig P 8 with a double switch have a hot contact very near to the mainframe, about two tenths millimeter. That is lacquered but the layer is thin. When somebody feels the slightest amount of prickling upon touching the projector connected to the grid the switch needs to be insulated.

Unfortunately this means that one removes everything from the shell because that double switch sits deepest, underneath motor, transformer, mechanism.

Positive aspect of the action is that one can clean and freshly lubricate the slower moving parts of the mechanism. Old rotten grease may await you.