Numbers in brackets in the text
refer to the main illustration, which can be found in the
"with pictures"
version of these instructions.
From a UK catalogue of 1963,
talking about the Bell and Howell Autoload II - "The
light source is a revolutionary new lamp, a 21.5 volt 150
watt Dichroic which incorporates a heat filtering device.
This has enabled Bell and Howell to provide the Autoload
II with a switch for slow-motion projection without the
slightest risk of damaging the film due to overheating.
"Also included are: automatic self-threading
mechanism; newly designed 17 mm. to 27 mm. zoom lens;
forward, reverse and still picture control; fine focus
control; high-speed film rewind; variable speed control;
gear-driven spool shafts, 400 ft. capacity; quick action
tilt control; self-lubricating mechanism; 200-250 volt
A.C. operation.
"Complete with self-contained carrying case in
charcoal and silver finish £49 18s 6d"
Setting
Up
Place the projector on a suitable firm table or stand.
To open, simply press down the small button on top of the
case and tip the cover off, as illustrated (top).
Remove the reel from the slot in the projector carton
and unwind the power supply cable.
(I have omitted the instructions on how to connect
a plug)
Before connection to the mains supply, check to see
that the voltage switch is correctly set to correspond
with the voltage in use. To gain access to the Voltage
Switch remove the Lamphouse Cover (13) by grasping firmly
and pulling away from the internal spring clip which
secures it to the body of the projector.
Note: Before switching on make certain that you
replace the Lamphouse Cover. Once the required voltage
has been set, further adjustment will be unnecessary
unless the projector is used in a location with a
different supply voltage.
Extend the Feed and Take-up Reel arms by swinging them
upwards until they snap into the open position (after
you've completed a show, fold the arms down by applying
pressure).
Locate the empty reel on the Take-up Reel (1) arm
spindle.
Note: The reel will only engage the spindle from one
side and must be positioned with the centre slots facing
the reel arm.
Locate the full reel on the Feed Reel (2) arm spindle.
The film should lead off the reel in a clockwise
direction with the perforations towards the operator.
Threading
If your film is being used for the first time or has a
ragged end, square off the leader end in the Film Trimmer
(14) on the base of the projector. Unwind sufficient film
to reach the trimmer making sure that it lies evenly
between the side lays provided, until the ragged or
damaged end of the film is beyond the trimmer blade.
Locate a perforation over the pin provided and trim off,
as illustrated.
Important: Make sure that the full reel of film is
firmly located on the Feed Reel arm spindle before
threading.
To thread the film into the projector, insert the
trimmed end into the threading slot (4) but remember
first to press down the Upper Loop Former (3), otherwise
if the loop formers are left open the film will only
thread as far as the first sprocket. Now move the
Direction Lever (5) to 'Forward' and Control Switch (8)
to 'Motor' - and the projector will automatically thread
the film.
Allow about 2 feet of film to run through the
projector. Pass the film under the Front Guide Roller
(10), under the Rear Guide Roller (12), and up to the
Take-up Reel, then turn the Control Switch off.
Note: As you pass the film under the Front Guide
Roller move the roller to the left, thus releasing the
loop formers.
Insert the end of the film into the slot of the
Take-up Reel then turn clockwise to take up slack
film.
Note: Once you have mastered the simple instructions
above, you will be able to completely thread your
projector and engage the film in the Take-up Reel,
without stopping the mechanism. As you do this, film
tension on the Front Guide Roller will automatically
release the loop formers.
Before inserting into the automatic Threading Slot
(4), ensure that any creases or ragged edges on the end
of the film are squarely trimmed off by means of the Film
Trimmer attached to the projector base. Check the
threading path to see that it is clean and free from
pieces of film or accumulated foreign matter which could
affect the performance of the projector.
It is also recommended that the reel containing the
film be closely examined. A bent or otherwise damaged
reel is a potential source of trouble.
If your
projector loses its loop
A poorly spliced or damaged film can result in the
loss of film loop which is indicated by a pronounced
clicking sound at the lens gate associated with picture
flutter on the screen. To automatically restore the loop,
press down the Upper Loop Former (3) and immediately
release. Should this operation fail to restore the loop,
it will be necessary to re-form it manually as
follows:
Open the lens gate and carefully lift out the film
from the bottom sprocket. Push back the film, forming a
loop and engage on the sprocket teeth, making certain
that the section of film causing difficulty has cleared
the projector.
As soon as possible cut out the poor splice or damaged
section and re-join the film using a film splicer.
In certain cases, violent movement of the Framing
Control (11) may cause loss of film loop. This control
should be moved slowly when framing is necessary.
Projecting
Set up your screen and turn the Control Switch (8) to
'Lamp' position. Move the Direction Lever (5) to
'Forward' and run through the blank leader strip of the
film. Return the Direction Lever to 'Still', turn off the
room lights and centralise the picture on the screen by
turning the projector slightly from side to side and
operating the Tilt Control Knob (9).
Slacken this knob by turning in an anti-clockwise
direction until it releases the foot. Lift the front of
the projector until the desired angle is reached and
re-tighten the knob.
If by chance the film has stopped in a position where
you do not get a picture projected or your picture is
partially blocked, turn the Single Frame Knob (17)
slowly; this is located immediately above the Tilt
Control Knob.
Framing
If the picture is cut off at top or bottom, turn the
Framing Control (11) in either direction until the
complete picture is correctly framed on the screen.
Focusing
Your projector is equipped with Filmovara lens. The
Filmovara lens is variable in focal length between 17 mm.
and 27 mm. and, operating on the 'Zoom' principle,
enables you to adjust the size of the projected picture
within reasonable limits to match the screen size,
without having to move the projector or screen. To
operate the Filmovara lens, rotate the knurled section of
the lens mount to get approximate picture size, then
focus by rotating the front section until the picture is
sharply defined. It is possible to manipulate both
sections simultaneously with a little practice.
A table of picture size/projection distance/focal
length has been captured as an image, and is available in
the "with pictures"
version of these instructions.
Automatic Loop
Setter
If your film has a torn perforation or a poor splice,
it may cause your projector to lose its loop. When this
happens you will hear a noticeable clicking sound and
your picture will flutter on the screen.
Simply press down the Upper Loop Former and
immediately release, this will automatically reset the
loop without stopping the projector or interrupting your
show.
Speed
Control
When first setting your projector it may be necessary
to adjust the speed to eliminate flutter on the screen.
To increase speed turn the Variable Speed Control in the
direction of the arrow. To decrease speed turn the
Control in the opposite direction.
Important. Do not adjust the Variable Speed Control
unless the projector is running and the Direction Lever
is either in 'Forward' or 'Reverse'.
S-L-O-W
Motion
To add interest and variety to your movies, your
projector features Automatic Slow Motion. To operate at
slow motion speed, move the Slow Motion Control (16) to
the 'Slow Motion' position while operating in the forward
direction. The Slow Motion feature is only operative when
the Direction Lever is set for Forward operation.
Note - if the picture flickers on the screen,
adjustment of the Variable Speed Control may be
necessary.
Still Picture and
Reverse Projection
To stop the film so that a still picture can be
projected - push the Direction Lever (5) to 'Still'. If
you don't get a picture on the screen or your picture is
partially blocked, turn the Single Frame Knob (15)
slowly. When projecting still pictures a safety shutter
automatically drops into place to protect your film from
the heat of the projection lamp. Should you wish to
reverse action for special effects or to re-view a scene,
just switch the Direction Lever to 'Reverse'.
Rewinding
As the last of your film passes through the projector,
turn the control switch to 'Off'. Then to rewind, leave
both reels in position and connect the film from the
take-up reel straight across to the feed reel. Secure the
film end n the slot of the feed reel hub and turn in an
anti-clockwise direction to take up slack film. Set the
Direction Lever to 'Reverse' and the Control Switch to
'Motor'. After the film is completely rewound, switch the
Direction Lever to 'Still' in readiness for your next
show.
Maintenance
Your projector is lubricated at the factory and
requires no further oiling. We recommend that it be
cleaned and adjusted periodically by one of our approved
service stations (as far as I know, no longer
available).
Cleaning the
Aperture and Film Channel
Swing the lens gate out before each showing. With a
small brush or piece of cloth gently wipe the aperture
and film channel. A rubber ear syringe will be found
useful to remove dust or dirt which may accumulate in the
upper or lower film guides.
Cleaning the
Lens
To remove the lens simply grasp the lens mount and
pull it out with a twisting motion. Clean the front and
rear elements with lens tissue or clean chamois, being
careful not to exert too much pressure.
Replace lens by inserting the mount in the lens
carrier and pushing it home with a twisting motion.
Lamp
Replacement
Firmly grasp the Lamphouse Cover and pull away from
the projector to expose the used lamp. If necessary, run
the projector motor until the lamp is cool enough for
comfortable handling.
To remove the lamp, grasp the top with your fingers
and pull out. To insert a new lamp, align the centre
guide pin at the lamp base with the socket within the
lamphouse, rotating the lamp as necessary to ensure
correct location, before pressing fully into the
socket.
After insertion of the new lamp, immediately replace
the Lamphouse Cover by sliding it over the guides and
firmly pressing towards the projector body until it clips
into position.
Remember . . . never switch on the projector lamp
unless the lamphouse cover is in place.
Important: Take particular care when inserting a new
lamp in the projector to avoid damaging the lamp
pins.
Your projector uses the 'Tru-Flector' lamp rated at
21.5 volts, 150 watts.
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