Please help: Kodak Carousel S (not S-AV) projector - remote not working.

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

I hope this is posted in the right place.

I purchased this item on ebay (if you scroll down you can see the photos) for my dad in his 70s who has wedding pics from 1966 he wants to view.

It's a Kodak Carousel S projector.

The remote control works to change the slides, but won't focus, and there's no easy way (or obvious to us) to manually focus.

Is there a replacement remote control I should buy - if so, what type? And from where? (I'm in the UK, so any UK spots first would be great)

Is there a way to manually focus it? If so - how?

Any and all help appreciated, the ebay seller bought from someone else and has now admitted they don't actually know how the thing works - they simply copied what the original seller had published and I don't know who the original seller is.

Thanks in advance!

AgX · Jun 4, 2020

Welcome !

There may be various causes for the remote-controlled focusing not working: bad switch in the remote control, broken wire in the cable, bad contact at the connector, the drive mechanism inside the projector.

Of course the focusing can be done manually (I even never came across that remote control...)
As with all such projectors manual focusing is done by just twisting the barrel of the lens.

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Apparently it would work with another remote (the original, original seller) said they had tried one (but didn't say what type it needed).

If I can buy a replacement remote I'm happy to do that, but wouldn't even know what to type in and search for it. (This particular model isn't as common as the AV so not many accessories are listed).

My dad thought the same about turning the barrel of the lens, but it doesn't move and he doesn't want to break it.

Any other tips for this specific model?

Thanks!

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 4, 2020

I had a Kodak Ektagraphic carousel projector that had a remote control. You could select specific slide plus all the other remote functions. Maybe you can find a remote that would work for your purposes under that name. Good luck.

Kino · Jun 4, 2020

The knob on the side next to the lens is for manual focusing. If it is frozen or very hard to turn due to petrified grease, the remote will not work.

DO NOT SHOOT A BUNCH OF LUBRICANT UP INTO THE PROJECTOR!

It should be carefully disassembled and serviced if you want to use it.

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Thanks everyone for your efforts in helping.

Does anyone know where I would buy an alternative remote, and what I should search for?

Kino · Jun 4, 2020

I don't think you get it. If the manual focus knob on the side is frozen or very stiff, no amount of replacement remotes will solve your problem.

The focus motor is very small and weak; if you keep trying to focus it, you may burn out the motor if the lens is stuck.

This is probably not an electronics issue if the lens will not move at all, but a mechanical issue.

BTW: I think this is the manual for your projector: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/979747/Kodak-Carousel-S-Av1000.html

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Kino said:
I don't think you get it. If the manual focus knob on the side is frozen or very stiff, no amount of replacement remotes will solve your problem.

The focus motor is very small and weak; if you keep trying to focus it, you may burn out the motor if the lens is stuck.

This is probably not an electronics issue if the lens will not move at all, but a mechanical issue.

You're right, I don't get it. I'm trying to learn. This is all brand new to me and I don't have the projector in front of me, it's with my dad who I can't see right now because of lockdown.

Appreciate your further response and detail - thanks again.

Kino · Jun 4, 2020

Understood! Check my prior posting for a link to the user manual you can reference online. Good luck!

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Kino said:
Understood! Check my prior posting for a link to the user manual you can reference online. Good luck!

Thanks! Unfortunately it's not the S-AV model, just the S, which is slightly different. Thanks again!

AgX · Jun 4, 2020

Alan Edward Klein said:
I had a Kodak Ektagraphic carousel projector that had a remote control. You could select specific slide plus all the other remote functions. Maybe you can find a remote that would work for your purposes under that name.

Kino said:
The knob on the side next to the lens is for manual focusing. If it is frozen or very hard to turn due to petrified grease, the remote will not work.

You both are referring to the US-made projectors. The OP though has it on the german-made range of projectors.

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

AgX said:
You both are referring to the US-made projectors. The OP though has it on the german-made range of projectors.

That's correct! - Any further tips based on that detail?

perkeleellinen · Jun 4, 2020

I didn't think the S model supported remote focus. I used to have one of these and never knew there was a focus motor in there!

I can see other auctions for projectors with remote focus not working. Perhaps a common problem. Do you really need it? I was always happy with mine using manual focus; the slides never seemed to move out of focus if I projected for not too long.

I reckon you may need to buy a newer / higher spec model if you really need remote focus or even auto focus, Perhaps that's not worth the investment if you have only a few slides.

P.S. - my Dad got married in 1966 as well and we still have his slides from the big day!

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

perkeleellinen said:
I didn't think the S model supported remote focus. I used to have one of these and never knew there was a focus motor in there!

I can see other auctions for projectors with remote focus not working. Perhaps a common problem. Do you really need it? I was always happy with mine using manual focus; the slides never seemed to move out of focus if I projected for not too long.

I reckon you may need to buy a newer / higher spec model if you really need remote focus or even auto focus, Perhaps that's not worth the investment if you have only a few slides.

P.S. - my Dad got married in 1966 as well and we still have his slides from the big day!

Hey Peter - a quick question if you had the S model - how do you manually focus it?

My dad says there are only two knobs on either side but they only adjust the feet to raise or lower it, he said there is no manual focus knob. It's driving us mad!

Kino · Jun 4, 2020

AgX said:
You both are referring to the US-made projectors. The OP though has it on the german-made range of projectors.

Looks like a manual focus knob to me; that's why I suggested what I did...

Maybe there is something on the bottom of the unit that would allow you to rack the lens in and out? But then again...

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Kino said:
View attachment 247628

Looks like a manual focus knob to me; that's why I suggested what I did...

Unfortunately, no it's not - it's a knob that raises and lowers the feet.

Kino · Jun 4, 2020

Found this: https://www.van-eck.net/itable.php?lang=en&size=&cat=dia&merk=91&type=Carousel S

AgX · Jun 4, 2020

That knob, as its counterpart on the opposite side, is for adjusting the image elevation.

Manul focusing is done by twisting the lens barrel.
Remote focusing is done by the remote control (even at the plain-S model).

Wallendo · Jun 4, 2020

I found a YouTube video showing how it works:
Unfortunately, they only show remote control focusing. It appears on this video that the lens focuses by moving in and out without any rotation. Can the projector be focused by pushing and pulling on the lens?

It is a very sleek projector. I hope you can get it working.

The site linked to above by Kino does offer a downloadable manual for your projector for 4.99 euros. It may be a worthwhile purchase. It is hard to imagine a projector designed to only be focusable by remote control.

Littleunred · Jun 4, 2020

Wallendo said:
I found a YouTube video showing how it works:
Unfortunately, they only show remote control focusing. It appears on this video that the lens focuses by moving in and out without any rotation. Can the projector be focused by pushing and pulling on the lens?

It is a very sleek projector. I hope you can get it working.

The site linked to above by Kino does offer a downloadable manual for your projector for 4.99 euros. It may be a worthwhile purchase. It is hard to imagine a projector designed to only be focusable by remote control.

Thank you for your help!

I hadn't thought about pushing / pulling, so will ask dad to give that a try instead of rotating. I also noticed that it didn't rotate.

I think 4.99 for the manual is worth a chance! Thanks @Kino for the link to that!

Thanks again everyone for your help and enthusiasm!

AgX · Jun 4, 2020

Wallendo said:
Unfortunately, they only show remote control focusing. It appears on this video that the lens focuses by moving in and out without any rotation. Can the projector be focused by pushing and pulling on the lens?

It is a very sleek projector. I hope you can get it working.

In general such projectors are manually focused by means of a cage with a helicoid housing the lens. This cage then again is moved by an electric motor for remote or for automatic focusing.

That projector by some is seen as a design icon.

perkeleellinen · Jun 4, 2020

Littleunred said:
Hey Peter - a quick question if you had the S model - how do you manually focus it?

My dad says there are only two knobs on either side but they only adjust the feet to raise or lower it, he said there is no manual focus knob. It's driving us mad!

I twisted the lens!

perkeleellinen · Jun 4, 2020

The lens screws into the body, only a few turns. You just need to turn it back out a little to get into focus. If it needs to go the other way and it's at the end of its screw then I think you need to move the projector and screen further apart.

outwest · Jun 4, 2020

Yes, based on the photo of the lens shown in #17 it has threads all the way around the body so the whole lens rotates to focus. The US models have a keyed rack driven by a gear from a knob on the side (they go straight in and out).

Romma Tangney · Mar 16, 2021

Littleunred said:
Apparently it would work with another remote (the original, original seller) said they had tried one (but didn't say what type it needed).

If I can buy a replacement remote I'm happy to do that, but wouldn't even know what to type in and search for it. (This particular model isn't as common as the AV so not many accessories are listed).

My dad thought the same about turning the barrel of the lens, but it doesn't move and he doesn't want to break it.

Any other tips for this specific model?

Thanks!

Please help: Kodak Carousel S (not S-AV) projector - remote not working.

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