my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Help with a Peerless Magnarc (Page 1)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Author Topic: Help with a Peerless Magnarc Gary E Fenner Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Louisville, KY United States Registered: Oct 2018 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Donald Brown Expert Film Handler Posts: 131 From: Lincoln, DE Registered: Sep 2009 posted 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!  |  IP: Logged Gary E Fenner Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Louisville, KY United States Registered: Oct 2018 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 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)  |  IP: Logged Gary E Fenner Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Louisville, KY United States Registered: Oct 2018 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 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).  |  IP: Logged Gary E Fenner Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Louisville, KY United States Registered: Oct 2018 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-21-2018 04:54 PM                     Please post a picture of yours.  |  IP: Logged Gary E Fenner Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Louisville, KY United States Registered: Oct 2018 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Carl Martin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1424 From: Oakland, CA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 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).  |  IP: Logged Buck Wilson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 894 From: St. Joseph MO, USA Registered: Sep 2010 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 10-23-2018 09:15 PM                     Who is the distributor for them  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.