Post #1097693

2026-04-11 22:46 UTC

I was so excited today when I found a like-new, unused (or barely used) GAF 3100S Super 8mm projector at a thrift store for $12.99. I've had a bunch of home-recorded Super 8 reels lying around and haven't been able to watch or digitize them properly. Well, it went very well for about five seconds. It started taking in film... but there was suddenly the smell of burning, a small pop, followed by a bit of worse-smelling smoke. I've done minor electronics repair in the past... but I'm afraid something like this is likely beyond my current abilities/tools. Anyone know of someone who repairs 1970s Super 8 projectors? (Brief research seems to indicate that this is a nice projector to have, so maybe worth getting repaired?) #8mm #8mmfilm #vintageelectronics #electronics #electronicsrepair #repair #super8

Replies (2)

@bytex64@awesome.garden 2026-04-12 17:44

@brian@awesome.garden Not finding a service manual, so I couldn’t say for sure. But my guess is some driver transistor or IC went up in smoke because of extra load caused by gummed up lubricant. Probably not a complicated repair once you find the damaged part.

Open ##2208799
@elb@social.sdf.org 2026-04-12 18:54

@brian@awesome.garden Did it keep working after that? Did the foul-smelling smoke smell kind of fishy? Is there a burnt plastic box (possibly with little leaves of paper/plastic/metal fluffing out of it, possibly not) immediately behind the power entrance plug, there? A lot of 1970s devices have a kind of power line filter capacitor called a RIFA, and they fail safely but stinkily. When they fail it normally doesn't inhibit usage of the device. If you web search "RIFA capacitor" you'll see photos.

Open ##2208800