This is topic Running a 50hz euro projector at 60hz? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 10-15-2002, 12:54 PM:
I just bought a fumeo super 8mm film projector.
Im able to find a voltage up converter without any trouble
but they do not convert frequency.Will there be any harm to the projector running it at 60hz?
Will I notice a slight increase in speed?
Thanks!!
Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 10-15-2002, 01:54 PM:
Putting aside issues with the electronics (I'm assuming it's a sound projector?), the odds are it has an induction motor which will vary in speed from 50 to 60 hz. Typically, however, consumer 8 and 16 mm machines generally have dual pulleys so you can flip the main drive belt from one to the other to compensate for the speed difference. If not you'll have to see if Fumeo can supply a different pulley set.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 10-16-2002, 12:02 AM:
It will run just a little faster. You might notice a slight change in pitch of the dialog. It might sound like a guy that just had the unfortunate displeasure of being emasculated. 
I don't know about 8mm machines, but some 16mm machines have a communtator/brush (AC/DC motor) that has a governor on it. If yours is equipped with a governor, you will not see any change of film speed.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-16-2002, 09:08 AM:
You'll also get through all those sleepytime family films alot faster!!
Mark
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-16-2002, 09:14 AM:
If you can't get a new set of pulleys and the speed change is quiet noticable then you need to get a small inverter to run the unit off and set it for 50Hz
Posted by Peter Hall (Member # 695) on 10-16-2002, 12:44 PM:
Assuming it's a true 3p motor then you can run with an inverter - if an async motor look at mechanical solutions. Would disagree with the "slight pitch change" comment - the variance being 5/6 or 6/5 - it's quite noticeable .. Any known music and the audience (OK, 8mm, audience of 2 perhaps !!) will scream
Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-16-2002, 01:47 PM:
I don't know the inside of the Fumeo machines, but there may well be some sort of mechanical adjustment inside; if not, and if the thing is belt driven, which is quite likely, find someone with a lathe, and get them to turn you up a suitable pulley(s). If there is a belt tension adjustment, or if one pully is much larger than the other, you may get away with just changing the smaller one. If both pulleys are of similar size, you will probably have to replace both, making one larger, and the other smaller, to keep the belt length the same.
Posted by Matt Close (Member # 996) on 10-18-2002, 04:16 AM:
Have to agree with Peter on the speed increase being noticed ..... I even hate having to watch PAL DVD's after having become very familiar with sections of films we have shown here..... I imagine the change from 50Hz to 60Hz would be even more distracting 
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 10-18-2002, 04:14 PM:
Never sen a Fumeo 8mm, but am very familiar with the 16mm machines. Generally the 16's have double pulleys to change between sound and silent speeds, nothing at all to do with 50/60Hz. I doubt greatly it'll be a 3ph motor, very few of the 16s had 3ph motors.
Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 10-19-2002, 05:54 PM:
Thanks for all the replies.There are plenty of voltage convertors on the market but none will
convert frequency.
Anyone know of a frequency convertor?
Thanks!
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-19-2002, 08:54 PM:
There are tons of motor drive controllers out there
Allen Bradley
Bodine
Leeson
all make frequency drives
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-21-2002, 10:41 AM:
Some links:
http://www.surplusrecord.com/sre/drivesag.htm
http://www.motionnet.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?a=cat&no=1132
http://www.trainingtechnology.com/technicaltrng/VFD/VFD640.htm
http://www.intellectcontrols.com/site.php3?page=course_motdriv.ext ------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 10-21-2002, 11:28 AM:
Thanks Gordon and John for the links.