Keystone K-109 Projector Issues

[William Scofield]

Hello -

I am new to this forum. I am looking for help with a Keystone K-109 8mm projector I found on Craigslist recently. The motor and fan run when switched on. The bulb will occasionally light up and run for a while. But if you switch it off, it may not come back on again. Occasionally it will run for several minutes. Other times the lamp will not light up at all, or it stops after just a few seconds. I have tried removing and replacing the bulb multiple times - no difference. I don't have another bulb. New ones seem to cost more than I paid for the whole machine.

The seller has suggested: (a) The bulb - but I don't believe the issue is the bulb, since it works, at least some of the time. (b) The fan - but the fan runs steadily whenever the motor is engaged, with air blowing out the top. (c) A fuse - but I cannot find any fuse, and none is mentioned in the manual. And if it were a fuse problem, I don't think it wouldn’t work at all, which is not what is happening. (d) The outlet it is plugged into, since sometimes I hear a crackling sound when I switched it on and twice the circuit breaker tripped - but I have tried different outlets, with the same results. And (e) the power cord - but I don't see how that is the problem, if the motor runs and the lamp lights up some of the time.

There must be a way to get at the main switch to check the wiring, but I haven't found it yet.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

William

[William Scofield]

Seller had a second Keystone projector - different model. I picked it up today, and it appears to work okay. The first one (K-109) is still not working properly. I would welcome any suggestions.

Thank you.

[Simon Wyss]

I suspect the lamp receptacle. You can have oxidation there, a bad solder point, something. If you want to invest labour, take the thing apart and find the issue. After all, the K-109 is a good projector.

[William Scofield]

Thanks for the reply. Here's another clue - I just got a "new" bulb, and got it running again right away, so the bulb is not the issue. But the master switch sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, sometimes only works on the 3d or 4th try, sometime either turns the lamp on or off with just a slight wiggle. I'm wondering if the switch might be the culprit. Once I get it running, it will stay on, but if I turn it off it may not come back on again - very finicky.

The switch on the 2d projector always works.

I would like to get the K-109 so it is solid, as it has features (running in reverse) the 2d projector doesn't have.

[William Scofield]

Confirmed that master switch on Keystone K-109 projector is not working. Does anybody happen to have a switch? Or know where I might find one? Or a "parts machine" that might be cannibalized?

Thanks.

[Steve Klare]

Hi William,

If you think you can get inside the bad switch, a squirt of contact cleaner may help here.

When we leave these holding down a shelf for a couple of decades, Chemistry takes charge and we get oxidation.

If it comes down to replacing the switch, sometimes it's amazing how really old stuff like this is still being made new.

(Pictures, please?)

[William Scofield]

Hello - Thanks for the reply. Here are some pics of the K-109, the master switch in place, and the master switch after removing. If there is a way to get inside with some contact cleaner, that would certainly be worth a try.

[Shane C. Collins]

You could try spraying contact cleaner into every opening or hole you find on the switch. Then work the switch about 30 times. The contact cleaner may find its way into the switch, and help remove any oxide built-up. It's certainly worth a shot, and it might just work! The contact cleaner will evaporate, so don't be afraid to soak the switch a bit when spraying the cleaner. I've done this numerous times with stubborn switches, and other metal contact points with positive results!