Eiki 16mm projector

[Evan de Riel]

I represent my school's film series, and we've been having trouble
with the sound quality when showing movies on our Eiki 16mm film
projector. It was fine until about a year ago when a lot of white
noise started to get through into the sound system;it's gotten so bad
that now the "normal" sound is hardly audible.

I've tried cleaning off the film contact surfaces, but I don't think I
managed to get at either the sound bulb or the unit that actually
generates the sound, so I suppose there could be some grime on either
of those locations. However, it is also an old unit so it something
may just be getting worn out.

Since neither our group nor the school's A/V department have the money
to buy a new one, I was wondering whether anyone here who had more
experience with these things could suggest a possible solution to the
problem (hopefully, not just switching to DVD).

Thanks,
Evan de Riel

Earlham Film Series

[Darren]

Post by Evan de Riel
I represent my school's film series, and we've been having trouble
with the sound quality when showing movies on our Eiki 16mm film
projector. It was fine until about a year ago when a lot of white
noise started to get through into the sound system;it's gotten so bad
that now the "normal" sound is hardly audible.
I've tried cleaning off the film contact surfaces, but I don't think I
managed to get at either the sound bulb or the unit that actually
generates the sound, so I suppose there could be some grime on either
of those locations. However, it is also an old unit so it something
may just be getting worn out.
Since neither our group nor the school's A/V department have the money
to buy a new one, I was wondering whether anyone here who had more
experience with these things could suggest a possible solution to the
problem (hopefully, not just switching to DVD).
Thanks,
Evan de Riel
Earlham Film Series

I am assuming you have a portable 16mm projector, the same type used
in school class rooms during 1970-1990s.

Perhaps it is the volume knob. There is stuff that you can spray into
it to clean the pont.

Does the white noise continue when also connected to a line out, if
your particular projector has one?


Darren Nemeth
***@giant-squid-audio-lab.com

Owner of "Giant Squid Audio Lab" - Specialists in durable,
high fidelity microphones for discriminating analog and
digital recording enthusiasts.
http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

[John Anastasio]

Which model is it? Depending upon which one you have, the 1/4" connector
for the audio output is either a two-position plug (push in halfway for line
level, all the way for speaker connection) or it's gonna have a 120v
potential on the ground side, so be careful. The model 1510 (xenon) was
famous for that little surprise.

When a volume control potentiometer goes, it's usually flaky and has "dead"
spots. This wouldn't necessarily make a constant hissing sound in your
output. It would more likely give you a "scratchy" noise when you rotate it.
If it's noisy, just run it back and forth a few times to get the dirt off
the wiper arm. The spray makes a mess and you can't get the good stuff
anymore because of the EPA. It works for a while, but it actually tends to
attract more dirt than it gets rid of.

I suspect that the slit lens and the pickup are grunged up and in need of
cleaning. You're turning up the volume to make up for it and hearing the
electronic hiss that normally gets masked by the louder audio on a clean
system. Let us know what model you have, because the lens and pickup are
in different locations depending on what machine you're using.

Post by Darren

Post by Evan de Riel
I represent my school's film series, and we've been having trouble
with the sound quality when showing movies on our Eiki 16mm film
projector. It was fine until about a year ago when a lot of white
noise started to get through into the sound system;it's gotten so bad
that now the "normal" sound is hardly audible.
I've tried cleaning off the film contact surfaces, but I don't think I
managed to get at either the sound bulb or the unit that actually
generates the sound, so I suppose there could be some grime on either
of those locations. However, it is also an old unit so it something
may just be getting worn out.
Since neither our group nor the school's A/V department have the money
to buy a new one, I was wondering whether anyone here who had more
experience with these things could suggest a possible solution to the
problem (hopefully, not just switching to DVD).
Thanks,
Evan de Riel
Earlham Film Series

I am assuming you have a portable 16mm projector, the same type used
in school class rooms during 1970-1990s.
Perhaps it is the volume knob. There is stuff that you can spray into
it to clean the pont.
Does the white noise continue when also connected to a line out, if
your particular projector has one?
Darren Nemeth
Owner of "Giant Squid Audio Lab" - Specialists in durable,
high fidelity microphones for discriminating analog and
digital recording enthusiasts.
http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

[Scott Dorsey]

Post by Evan de Riel
I represent my school's film series, and we've been having trouble
with the sound quality when showing movies on our Eiki 16mm film
projector. It was fine until about a year ago when a lot of white
noise started to get through into the sound system;it's gotten so bad
that now the "normal" sound is hardly audible.
I've tried cleaning off the film contact surfaces, but I don't think I
managed to get at either the sound bulb or the unit that actually
generates the sound, so I suppose there could be some grime on either
of those locations. However, it is also an old unit so it something
may just be getting worn out.

1. Mechanical alignment. The optics need to be cleaned and the azimuth
needs to be adjusted.

2. Electronics problems, especially old dried-out capacitors getting noisy.

You cannot check out the electronics until the optical alignment has been
done, and this is something that should be done every few months.

Post by Evan de Riel
Since neither our group nor the school's A/V department have the money
to buy a new one, I was wondering whether anyone here who had more
experience with these things could suggest a possible solution to the
problem (hopefully, not just switching to DVD).

Does your A/V department have a competent tech to look the thing over? He
will need an alignment film and a test bench but not too much else.

I gather that you are in Richmond, Indiana by looking your return address
up. Surely there is a cinema maintenance operation nearby? Ask your local
independant movie theatre who they call in for work. If worse comes to worst,
you might ask the Harris/Allied used equipment guys, who are broadcast folks
but might know the film people in your area.
--scott

[Mitch Monger]

Post by Scott Dorsey
1. Mechanical alignment. The optics need to be cleaned and the azimuth
needs to be adjusted.

Definitely.

Post by Scott Dorsey
2. Electronics problems, especially old dried-out capacitors getting noisy.

Yes. I would bet that this is the cause. Doesn't sound like worn pots at all.
That would be obvious to anyone testing the projector who wasn't a complete
idiot.

Post by Scott Dorsey
Does your A/V department have a competent tech to look the thing over? He
will need an alignment film and a test bench but not too much else.

SMPTE PA-35 (RP40) alignment film is out of production and hard to find. When
you could buy it new, it was over $100. I agree that it is essential to have it
in your arsenal if your running 16mm, but it sounds like this guy may not have
the time to find it, or the money someone may charge for it when he does. A
decent alignment *can* be done with regular film if that is your only option. I
know that makes the hair bristle on the back of any anal retentive
projectionists neck (myself included), but sometimes the second best solution
can be quite good-especially if it is the only one available to you.

Post by Scott Dorsey
Surely there is a cinema maintenance operation nearby? Ask your local
independant movie theatre who they call in for work.

This guy is looking for the cheapest possible solution. If replacing the
capacitors and cleaning/aligning the optics doesn't fix it, then buying another
Eiki on eBay is the best possible solution. For under $100 dollars you can have
a nice SNT or SSL. If you hire a technician, how much will it cost? Buy an Eiki
in fine condition from a seller who will guarantee it and you will have your
problem solved, plus a spare to work with. Possibly a spare with parts that are
interchangeable with your new projector. This is a nice thing to have if you are
a school or a nonprofit with a very tight budget and you have to do repairs
yourself. Been there, done that, got the shirt.

-Mitch
m at motiograph daught caum

[Scott Dorsey]

Post by Mitch Monger
SMPTE PA-35 (RP40) alignment film is out of production and hard to find. When
you could buy it new, it was over $100. I agree that it is essential to have it
in your arsenal if your running 16mm, but it sounds like this guy may not have
the time to find it, or the money someone may charge for it when he does. A
decent alignment *can* be done with regular film if that is your only option. I
know that makes the hair bristle on the back of any anal retentive
projectionists neck (myself included), but sometimes the second best solution
can be quite good-especially if it is the only one available to you.

Hell, I have some buzz track films and also the "quick alignment" film
that SMPTE sold, in a box around here somewhere. When I tried to sell the
things a decade ago, nobody was interested in them. I still have them although
finding them might be hard.

But a cinema service outfit will have a roll of the stuff around still.

Post by Mitch Monger

Post by Scott Dorsey
Surely there is a cinema maintenance operation nearby? Ask your local
independant movie theatre who they call in for work.

This guy is looking for the cheapest possible solution. If replacing the
capacitors and cleaning/aligning the optics doesn't fix it, then buying another
Eiki on eBay is the best possible solution. For under $100 dollars you can have
a nice SNT or SSL. If you hire a technician, how much will it cost? Buy an Eiki
in fine condition from a seller who will guarantee it and you will have your
problem solved, plus a spare to work with. Possibly a spare with parts that are
interchangeable with your new projector. This is a nice thing to have if you are
a school or a nonprofit with a very tight budget and you have to do repairs
yourself. Been there, done that, got the shirt.

Until THAT projector craps out. Buying new projectors is NOT a substitute
for doing proper preventative maintenance. I admit that I have an uncle who
buys a new car every year so he figures he never has to change the oil, but
I do not think this attitude is a good one.
--scott

[Ron]

Yes, you can change the caps/ audio amp and all that or even install a new
laser pickup in place of the ELC lamp, but its much simplier to pick up
slightly used SSL's on eBay for less than $100 if you know where to look and
dont jump at the first one you see.

I have 3 Eiki SSL/SNT's all unde 120 incl. shipping (30-50). I just bought a
350W Xenon for $25 when nobody was looking. Currently there are 2 Eiki SSLs
on ebay and one's for $20.00, only 20hrs left till end of auction - so you
better hurry (i'd buy it, but like I said I already have 3) the other SSL-1
(includes 1 speaker in cover, and one in unit) is at $75 + 35 ship
There are good deals there, or you can simply go to www.16mmfilms.com as
post to the forum for a good used SSL-0.

16mm Fourum member