ELMO ST-1200D Sound Issue #2 - Robert

[Carl Ingram]

I like these uploads where i can learn stuff about projectors, there is a complete soundhead on ebay for one of these, here's a link, i hope it works https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234930329...Bk9SR9yW0NrjYQ

[Steve Lee]

Hi Robert,
As you can imagine this is a very difficult thing to explain in words. If I had the machine in front of me I could probably fix it in 10 minutes.
To start with, from now seeing the photos of this machine, it is safe to say that the problem is solely mechanical and has nothing to do with the electronic side of things.

When the projector is in projection mode, the entire green assembly that holds the two rollers No 1 & 2 should pivot down towards the magnetic head, like a clam shell. In doing so this makes roller No 2 engage with the capstan roller No 3.



At this stage at looking at your photo, roller No1 looks like it is positioned too far down, and would put too much pressure on to the soundhead.
Just above roller No1 there is a silver piece of metal that has a cutout that sits behind a screw. This piece must be allowed to move freely behind the screw, as this is the endstop of travel for the green assembly.



The switch that changes the sound from magnetic to optical, is not just an electrical switch but is also a mechanical switch. When this is positioned in optical mode, there is a linkage arm that connects with the assembly of roller No1. In this stage now the silver piece of metal that has a cutout is still the endstop, but now becomes a pivot point. The linkage arm stops the roller No 1 from dropping down on to the soundhead, as the green assembly pivots down. As the roller is not needed for the playback of optical sound.




I would start by making sure that the screw has not been tightened, stopping the green assembly from moving.



I have found a PDF copy of the service manual, but this is as much use as a chocolate fireguard for addressing this problem.

https://issuu.com/cinema62/docs/pdf-...ice_manual_40_

All the best.
Steve

[Robert Dreyer]

In a worse case scenario, if I was to purchase a new sound head assembly, would it be a nightmare to walk someone through in the teardown and assembly?

[Steve Lee]

Hi Robert,
There are several problems here. First is that this is an Elmo, there is no detailed documentation on any of their machines, what is needed is an exploded diagram and parts list. They don't exist.
Second is, of the series of the st1200 machines there are 5 versions, and within these versions there are severely variants. Each has a different soundhead variant which is not compatible with each other.
The job of removing the soundhead and replacing it is not for the faint hearted, especially as there is no true service manual for this machine to follow. This would also require test equipment to be able to calibrate the machine.

The main problem is that we do not know the exact history of you machine, what has been done to it, what parts are missing and how it has been reassembled. Without this information it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
You are also looking at a precision built machine, all it would take is one tiny piece out of alignment, and it would turn it into a film shredder.
When Elmo assembled their machines, they sealed all of the fixings to the aligned parts with a green varnish lacquer. These fixings should never be moved or touched, as they were set up using their specialist tools and equipment in the factory.

As far as I can remember there are two linkage arms that run between the main control switch and the soundhead assembly. If one of these are missing or broken, then it will never work. To get to them means stripping out the entire machine.

To be totally honest if it was mine I would sell it on as a parts machine, and look for a fully working one, as I would never trust it with precious valuable film.

Steve

[Robert Dreyer]

Thank You. I think I will do just that. What brand and model would you recommend. (Possibly another Elmo ST1200 but fully functional or HD?). I picked this one up on ebay based on the reviews of Elmo's. Thanks again.

[Robert Dreyer]

Steve,
Is there such a think known as a S-8 film sound player? If I can simply capture the sound, I could sync the sound to the projection of the Elmo.

[Rob Young]

Hi Robert. It's a shame we couldn't help you this time. I think Steve's right. Not knowing how this machine has been fiddled with probably means moving onto the next.

I see that you're looking into other machines on the other threads and wish you the best in finding a good working Elmo. I hope this blip won't deter you too much.

[Robert Dreyer]

Not at all. I am glad that I discovered this forum. I am looking at buying an ELMO ST 600D that supposedly has never been ran. The owner said that they ran it and the belt broke within 30 seconds as it was aged. The belts were replaced and the gears lubricated. I am hoping that the 600D is a good projector. I have not seen too much on it. I have about 40 rolls of 50 footers and 4 rolls of 200 & 400 footers that I want to convert digitally. It is cheaper to purchase a good projector compared to going through "Legacy Box". In addition, being retired, I am looking at getting more involved with S-8 as I already have cameras that do both fast and slow motion and I love the film quality. I will try to get more involved with special effects with S-8 and use this forum to help me when I run into issues. Thanks for being here.