Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Victor Animatograph 16mm Model 55 problem.

This is topic Victor Animatograph 16mm Model 55 problem. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Orin Nisenson (Member # 9412) on 04-09-2016, 08:46 PM:

I have a Victor Animatograph 16mm Projector Model 55. It has been in the attic unused for the last 40+ years.
Today I oiled the projector, per the instructions, and treaded some film and then turning it on. The main drive sprocket does not move. I moved the operation lever up and down but nothing happened. Did I miss something or is the sprocket frozen?
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Orin

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 04-11-2016, 09:19 AM:

I have several Victor projectors.

If you are raising the operation lever and nothing happens other than the sound of the motor running, you most likely have a broken V belt inside that actually turns the mechanism.

This is the least of your fun with this projector. You should replace all of the capacitors in the amplifier, and a few that are near the motor itself. Also, just oiling it is not really enough. The oil wicks along the lubrication lines over time.
The best results (for me, anyway) has been to open the machine up, and lubricate everything individually, and then connect the oil wicks back where they were.

Something you may not know about your 55. This model was known as the "Liteweight" model. Sure is heavy for a lightweight machine, isn't it!?

My daily user 16mm is a Victor 70 made in 1965. It runs great.

Posted by Orin Nisenson (Member # 9412) on 04-12-2016, 09:27 PM:

Thanks for the information. Will look into it.