Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Help with a Peerless Magnarc

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Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-16-2018, 05:25 PM:

I am a rookie here, but wanted to see if anyone can help me identify a date and maybe a value on two old projectors. They were made by J.E. McAuley Mfg. Co. of Chicago. They are Peerless Magnarc High Intensity Lamps. The arc volts are 31-40 and the arc amp is 32-65. The motor volts are 31-110 and the motor amps are .4-.9. They have the yellow knobs on them and the serial #'s are 5752 and 5753. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by Donald Brown (Member # 5427) on 10-16-2018, 06:39 PM:

If you open the back of the lamp, which will swing away from the main body of the unit on it's hinges, on the aluminum casting that you have fully exposed (which forms the back of the lamp's main body) you should notice a manufacturing date in raised relief lettering.
You may also be able to date the unit by identifying the specific model Magnarc that you have.
As for assessing the value of the lamp house, it primarily depends on the unit's condition and locating someone who might be interested in buying it.
The Peerless Magnarc was once the workhorse of the exhibition industry!

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-16-2018, 06:48 PM:

Thanks Donald, that is helpful. These are projectors that are in my hometown about 150 miles from me. I have a friend that I am asking to go look for the manufacturing date and the model #. I am interested in them because I believe my dad ran these projectors for my hometown theatre when he was in high school in the late 30's.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-17-2018, 02:35 AM:

Magnarc value? Depends on who wishes to purchase and for how much! I have a pair that were literally given to me (saved from the trash), then I have seen people list several on E-Bay for $1500.00 and they never sold!

I am currently bringing back my pair to as new condition. This has included a complete teardown to the last bolt, sand-blasting and refinishing of all castings; sheetmetal repair and refinishing; full mechanical, electrical and optical restoration. I have not seen the embossed lettering as described by Don.

Post photographs of your units, as there were several different models (and design changes to those models)over time. Include photos of the rear door data plate as well as the interior of the electrical junction box on the non-operator side.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-17-2018, 09:27 AM:

Which town? Which theatre?

Magnarcs also have a series number on the rear. A few things changed over the years. (Prime years are 1938 to 1970)

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-18-2018, 12:11 PM:

Louis, the projectors are in my hometown of Wilmington OH in the Murphy Theatre which was built in 1918. For a while, they showed talkies. They really aren't looking to sell them, we are just trying to do some research on them for historical and display purposes. My friend has looked and he could not find any raised lettering with dates on them either. p.s. I live right down the road from you in Spring Valley.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-20-2018, 07:00 AM:

The only practical value to these would be for someone who already has them installed and in operation and needs parts. Reflectors, especially, are valuable items. Otherwise, these are only worth what they are worth as display items (and the design is indeed gorgeous). Essentially no one is installing these now, as the availability of carbons and parts is poor and likely to get worse.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-21-2018, 11:01 AM:

As a person who is very experienced in Magnarc restoration, I am in disagreement with some of Mr. Norwood's comments.

Furthermore, it would be most appreciated if Mr. Brown can supply some pictures or specific info regarding the raised letters that he has so-often mentioned. I am very interested in seeing that. Otherwise, all information for the lamp can be found on the rear "bell door". This is a piece of sheet-metal that is held on with 4 ea. spiral-flue hammer-drive screws (available on-line or at most hardware stores).

My current projects are a pair of consecutive serial number Type "E"s that were literally given to me. Having consecutive serial numbers in itself is a rarity!

I am very fortunate to have original pristine copies of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd edition (McAuley)books for the High Intensity Type "E" lamps. These were the most common version. These books are extremely well bound and illustrated! They contain all set-up, operating and servicing instructions. They also contain the complete Bill-of Material (including parts price list). Finally, they depict all of the changes that were made to these models over time.

Please note that both the positive and negative carbon clamp/jaw and guide parts are different depending on the carbon rod diameter.

Restoring a Magnarc is dependent on how far you want to go and your financial budget. Properly restored, they make wonderful display pieces. For those who may want to use them for a small screen, a 750 Watt Halogen bulb can be stretched across the carbon holders and properly aligned and focused in.

The only real part that is getting difficult to find are new mirrors. They are around, but those who have them want top-dollar! Everything else is readily available or can be fabricated. In some cases, the fabrication of new parts can be superior to the originals while maintaining the original design appearance.

For example, mica washers are readily available, as is lava bar stock to machine new insulators. Ohmite still manufactures the rheostat. New gears can be machined for the arc-feed motor gear box, and the bearing thrust washers are readily available on-line or at any bearing supply. All of the shafts and door hinges are nickel-plated steel. Nickel plating is expensive, and will wear-out over time. I have machined all new parts from 303 Stainless Steel. A good custom-rod/sheet-metal shop can remove any dents from the doors and sheet-metal hood (ENGLISH WHEEL).

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-21-2018, 04:01 PM:

Thanks Will. These two are consecutive serial numbers and seem to be pretty low numbers compared to others I have seen. I was hoping someone could tell me the age of the projectors just based on the serial numbers. The books you mention sound interesting. Could you give me the name of them so I might be able to look for one? I don't need one in pristine condition, but it would be good to keep with the projectors. I expect these projectors will be display only, but since the theatre is celebrating 100 years, it would be a part of the history of the theatre.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-21-2018, 04:54 PM:

Please post a picture of yours.

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-21-2018, 05:17 PM:

Give me a few days to figure out how to post pictures. It seems a little complicated and I am tied up with another project until Wed. or Thurs.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-22-2018, 10:37 AM:

I believe the largest installed base of the magnarc was the type G usually had grey or purplish doors Had a bar magnet rather than the horeshoe style and the gear box used a different combination of gears

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 10-23-2018, 02:48 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
the availability of carbons and parts is poor and likely to get worse.

i've been testing sample carbons from marble of japan (newly manufactured in indonesia) with good results so far. the stanford theater in palo alto has been happy with them. maybe the only game in town now. order them while you can (and they'll be available longer if you do).

Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 10-23-2018, 05:53 PM:

If it's any easier for you, email me your pictures and I'll post them. Email can be found by clicking my user name.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-23-2018, 09:15 PM:

Who is the distributor for them

Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 10-24-2018, 09:44 PM:

Posted by Gary Wachter (Member # 5833) on 10-26-2018, 06:38 PM:

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-26-2018, 07:05 PM:

Jack Roe used to carry them. Don't know if they still do.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-28-2018, 03:48 AM:

Thanks for the photo, Gary. What model is yours? Mine do not have that casting date number and it looks like the casting in itself is different.

Both of mine are early (low 4000 serial number) Magnarcs. Based off of their configuration as-well-as 1st and 2nd edition book publishing dates will date mine to between 1935-1937.

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-28-2018, 06:48 AM:

Thanks Buck for posting my pictures for me. Will, I do not know the model # nor the year of manufacture. They do not have the raised lettering either. I was hoping to nail down the date to know for sure if my dad ran these projectors when he was in high school. He graduated in 1941 and went straight into WWII. Will...... thanks for the dates you gave me, but it puts into question whether my dad used these or not.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-28-2018, 08:26 PM:

Hi Gary

Yours appear to be a Magnarc Type "E". If you look at the rear metal identification plate that you did photograph and post, this should be between "The" and "Peerless", specifically located between T and P. This is not visible on your uploaded picture.

Yours also has the amp meter, which was an "add-on" extra.

The trim along the sheetmetal top will either be the cast storm grates or a pair of metal strips resembling automotive body side moulding.

Posting a photo of the non-operator side...specifically the fuse block area will also help me to pin down a potential time of manufacture. That aluminum casting that meets the door lower edge was changed...the fuse block part of the casting was changed.

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-28-2018, 09:02 PM:

Thanks Will. It may be a while before I get that info. The projectors are about 150 miles from me, so I will rely upon a friend to go and take some more pictures. I will let you know.

Posted by Emiel De Jong (Member # 4225) on 10-29-2018, 06:05 AM:

I have a type "G" that has the exact same lettering "J.E.M.CO. 10-1-46". It has serial number 42207.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 10-29-2018, 12:26 PM:

I wonder if that was just to differentiate that particular mold or part style? Or is it a part #? Those were probably cast several hundred at a time.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-29-2018, 07:18 PM:

Interestingly, I have attempted to find historical biographical information and photographs on J.E. McAuley, and have come up nil. Old patent records are available. Many of the personalities who developed projection and sound equipment have been written about in trade publications such as "International Projectionist". But not J.E. McAuley....however

There was a J.E. McAuley who was a Foundry Engineer: "has been appointed assistant general manager of the works of the Birdsboro Steel Foundry & Machine Company, Birdsboro, Pa. He was formally sales agent, and has been with the company about four years, going there from the Solid Steel Casting Company. He had previously been employed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and the Standard Steel Works Company." Iron Age, Vol 91 Page 627 Jan-June 1913 University of Michigan Library: Iron Age-Google Books. I do wonder if this is our man? Think about it: the Magnarc cross-section and other castings sure have a strong aesthetic resemblance to steam locomotive design!

Posted by Gary E Fenner (Member # 10634) on 10-29-2018, 08:58 PM:

Will....... thanks for the effort. That's why I came to this group. I did quite a bit of searching on my own and couldn't find anything. I figured some of you in here would have to know more than me.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-30-2018, 08:38 AM:

Years ago I was told by one of the retired engineers that McAuley was a projectionist who was tired of the difficulty cleaning the big Hall and Connoly condenser lamps and how difficult they were to disassemble and he started to produce his own lamphouse. The original peerless was a low intensity reflector arc. Later he aquired the Hall and Connoly condenser arc patents and produced the Hycandescent lamphouse

Posted by Steve Roberts (Member # 9544) on 11-01-2018, 12:52 AM:

I have also restored several Peerless Magnarc's over the years. Now in the UK it is hard to find a peerless that has not been converted to xenon lamp.
In the UK we were lucky as we had the American Peerless and the English. Magnarc's were made in the UK by Kelvin Hughes of Glasgow. The most noticeable difference being the negative carbon adjustment, on the American it was 2 nuts whereas on the Kelvin Hughes it is two livers, one at the top for up and down, the other at the bottom for left and right.
When I fit a filament lamp into a Peerless or any carbon arc lamp I fit a 6mm steel bar in the negative carbon carriage with a lamp holder attached as I find this the best way to get the lamp in focus
G. B. Kalee made a copy of a peerless they called the Regal for which it is said they were sued by Kelvin Hughes.

Posted by Gary Wachter (Member # 5833) on 11-02-2018, 11:43 PM:

Steve, could you please post a photo of the lamp mounting arrangement you employed? I tried this on several occasions and could not eliminate the uneven illumination from the filament which is spread out over a much larger area than the arc.