Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Eiki EX-2000A 16mm Xenon -- shorted circuit? Lamp not firing.

This is topic Eiki EX-2000A 16mm Xenon -- shorted circuit? Lamp not firing. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Marc Syp (Member # 1228) on 08-17-2003, 12:30 AM:

Hi all. It seems you guys mostly talk about 35mm but I know you all are familiar with 16mm as well. I hope someone can help, because I don't have any motion picture techs in my area.

I did a show recently in which the mono output of my Eiki projector was connected to a stereo power amplifier by using a splitter to send the audio to two channels. The only problem is that one side of the splitter went to the input of channel 1 and the other side went to the output of channel 2. When I turned on the projector (not knowing about the wiring situation), there was a soft pop and the lamp would not strike. The sound does still work (with correct wiring, duh). I tried relamping and that was not it. The lamp works in another projector and vice versa.

Any ideas on what went wrong and how to fix it? Do I need to send it to an Eiki tech or is there another way? There aren't a whole lot of motion picture techs here in St. Louis.

Thanks in advance,
Marc S.

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 08-17-2003, 07:23 AM:

I don't see how your audio wiring mistake could be related to the lamp problem. Does the ignitor fire? If not, it sounds like you popped a fuse in your power supply. Sometimes an old one will pop just from the sudden inrush of current when you turn the machine on, especially if a slo-blo type has been replaced with a normal fuse. Find it, replace it, and if it happens again, then find what's causing the problem. Other things that pop include old capacitors and diodes. Start at the fuse and test your way through to the lamp.

Posted by Marc Syp (Member # 1228) on 08-17-2003, 11:59 AM:

Well, I didn't see how it was related either but if it wasn't then it was an extreme coincidence, because I had tested the lamp 30 seconds before connecting the audio.

I will check the fuses.

Thanks,
Marc

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-17-2003, 12:26 PM:

Eiki used USHIO as their power supply provider, but beware, there are several versions of the power supply as noted in the service manuals. The EX-4000 and EX-6000 had a line output transformer installed in the amplifier so you could connect the projectors' audio out to a house system safely.

Posted by Marc Syp (Member # 1228) on 08-17-2003, 12:52 PM:

FYI - I found a fuse that had blown. I swapped it out from another EX-2000A and it works fine again. Thanks for the tips.

As far as the line output transformer. Is there something I can use externally to do the same thing? I do a Christmas show every year in a 3000 seat theatre and any extra protection would be welcome.

Thanks.

Marc S.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-17-2003, 01:14 PM:

The best transformers come from Jensen
http://www.jensentransformers.com/
Also QSC and Peavey have good transformers as does the broadcast line of Hammond Manufacturing
http://www.hammondmfg.com/5caud.htm

If you can find them the old Altec Peerless transformers are good
If it is line level you probably want a 10K:10K one

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 08-18-2003, 11:15 AM:

No offense to Gordon's response, but in a pinch Radio Shack sells a line out adapter for around $20. You'll find it in their car audio section. One other suggestion would be to take the rear cover off the machine and you'll find a two-prong pin connector going into the amp. This is the output from the solar cell and you can easily route it into a theater's rack system if you wish. Alternatively, you can load it down with a 600 or so ohm resistor and get very nice results through the mic input of a decent PA amplifier.