Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Mystery 16mm projector

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Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 11-04-2008, 05:38 PM:

Does anyone recognize the projector in the picture on the following page?

Grandview Theatre Insight - 16mm anyone?

This was in the theater I've taken over and the entire projector is painted with a heavy coat of pink, thereby obscuring any identifying marks. I'd like to find an operating or maintenance manual to use as a reference to see if I can't get it going again.

-David

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-04-2008, 05:52 PM:

Looks like an old RCA converted to run carbon arc. Takeup looks definitely from a B&H adaptation for large reel usage.

-Monte

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-04-2008, 06:14 PM:

It would be nice if that film wasn't draped over it to see it better

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-04-2008, 06:20 PM:

The stand, lamphouse & take up mechanism appear to be
from a later model Bell & Howell FilmoArc.

The projector is an RCA 400 or similar RCA model 16mm
projector with the ass-end (amplifier) removed so it
could be used with the arc lamp.

The feed reel arm does not appear to be of either B&H
or RCA manufacture and looks home-made to me.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-04-2008, 06:26 PM:

True, feed definitely looks homemade, but that motorized take up ass'y, esp the cloth belt used as a friction device on the spindle ass'y for constant torque for takeup definitely hit me as a B&H setup.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 11-04-2008, 06:27 PM:

Looks like an RCA 400 series projector. The lamp is not original or is an added feature since the RCA lamps were quite square green boxes. Note the black framing knob at the top of the case behind the lens and aperture areas. The 6,000 foot reel arm is also an adaptation.

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 11-04-2008, 07:00 PM:

Cool, thanks for the info. The picture is one that I grabbed on my first walkthrough, so I wasn't able to getting a clearer picture. Now that I have the theatre, the booth and environs are second on the list for cleaning. The first is a 20 gallon grease trap that hasn't been cleaned in years apparently.

Found this in the Prelinger archives...

B&H 400 Sales Film?

Also found a few sources for the maintenance manual on eBay.

-David

Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 11-04-2008, 07:39 PM:

Frankensixteen is a combination Bell & Howell FilmoArc lamphouse (Converted to Xenon by Leonard Pinkus) FilmoArc base & motorized FilmoArc take up arm. The projector is an RCA 400. The feed arm is from an Eastman 25. Me thinks they should have used the rest of the Eastman! [Big Grin]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-04-2008, 08:35 PM:

For the benefit of the archives...here's the picture being discussed.

Posted by William Del Valle (Member # 3569) on 11-04-2008, 09:14 PM:

THE projector is aN RCA 400 about 1960 vintage. the take up looks to be a B&H modified rig. About that time RCA had replaced most of the steel gears with nylon or fiber gears (to make it cheaper).I Have parts(steel gears) and manuals for all RCA projectors. My dad designed them for 50 years. I can supply you with whatever you need for RCA projectors. The projector probably need just a cleaning. RCA projectors will outrun any projector made.You can email me directly at wd3_77082@yahoo.com

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-04-2008, 09:42 PM:

psst! Edit you post and take your email out. Your profile has your email post for ones to reply back to you - Just put down "email me for info" in it's place.

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 11-05-2008, 03:49 PM:

It's called a RCA Porta Arc and was a slightly modified RCA 400 projector. They had a base with shelf for an amplifier.

Arc used Purlex carbons (5.5mm neg & 6mm pos. Same carbons as B&H, Ampro, Victor, etc. Lamp is a modified Strong Junior Hi design with a smaller reflector.

Worked OK but Ampro and B&H put out more light with larger reflectors. Looks like someone has modified the upper & lower reel arms on this one.
Dick