Hacking the Kodak Reels 8mm Film Digitizer (New Thread)

[magoba]

Hello, any help much appreciated. The motor in my reels has suddenly stopped working. This is not due to any software upgrade, it was working one day and the next day was totally silent - no capture, no rewind, no start-up sound. Everything else seems to be as normal. Has anyone else experienced this and, assuming it's the motor which has failed, are generic replacement parts available? I'm going to dismantle the unit and check for voltage on the motor terminals when it should be active, other than that I'm a bit stumped...

Update: I dismantled the unit, unplugged the motor cable from the PCB and then re-attached it and all is well, full functionality again, I've no idea why, but unless it fails again I'm going to leave well alone

Update 2: I put the unit back in its normal position and the fault came back immediately. After a lot of head scratching the penny dropped. The power outlet which the Reels was plugged into had accidentally been switched off. So how was it starting up at all? From the USB connection! Obviously enough power coming in to boot the software but not enough to start the motor (5V not 12V). I don't think there's any mention, either in the instructions manual or in these posts, which describes the until being able to boot up from the USB and I assume it's just an unintentional quirk in the circuit design.

Today that happened to me exactly.

 

[Boojakascha]

Oh no!

You're probably already tried all these, but sharing few ideas just in case:

• Re-format SD card, max. 32GB as FAT32, then copy and try flashing firmware (either stock firmware or modded)
• Long power off (>5 minutes), press power button +30 seconds while power cable is not plugged
• UART on boot, if available - watch for bootloader. If there's output, potentially recoverable with software/flashing - if complete silence, hardware issue

Meanwhile once it started again, after resting for multiple days. This is awesome, and makes me way less concerned.

My type D is unable to quickly drain it's capacitors it seems. Being not connected to power for a few hours and pressing in the power button for 30 s doesn't seem to drain it on mine. But I do have time, it's no issue waiting another week.

Right now it does not run. It's black again, after I walked away on it. Maybe it has to do with "sleep mode"? It's the first times I don't power it off, but waddle of. If I ever fix it, I will always manually power off.

I have now a wiped SD card with the most current of your Firmwares. My plan is to wait a week and then start the unit, causing it to be re-flashed.

I feel all will be fine soon =)

 

[Balto1986]

Installing new lens (https://www.rmaelectronics.com/azure-photonics-azure-1228mac/), 7mm extension ring (https://www.m12lenses.com/7mm-Metal-Extension-Ring-for-M12-Mount-p/pt-erm12-700m.htm), and lock ring (https://www.m12lenses.com/M12x0-5-Lock-Ring-CNC-Machined-Aluminum-p/pt-lrm12-2.0m.htm) onto the image board-

I don't have specific photos showing the installation of these components onto the image board, but it's relatively simple. First screw the 7mm extension ring onto the existing plastic lens mount. Be carful screwing it in. the metal threads of the extension ring can easily strip the plastic threads of the lens mount. Next screw the lock ring onto the lens, then screw that assembly onto the installed extension ring.

Re-attach ribbon cable to the image board
View attachment 25985

I vent and ordered the parts for the lens swap. But im a little afraid to go further because what you said about the 7mm Extension ring. I cant get it to screw all the way inn without force.

Has anyone else also tried this method with the original lens mount? And did you have to use force?

Pic is how far I can go before I need to use force

 

[Boojakascha]

I vent and ordered the parts for the lens swap. But im a little afraid to go further because what you said about the 7mm Extension ring. I cant get it to screw all the way inn without force.

Has anyone else also tried this method with the original lens mount? And did you have to use force?

Pic is how far I can go before I need to use force

Mine is in more. One image out of focus, sorry.

What I did: remove the new lens and lock ring. Take the prolongation and the original female socket. Take grip gloves. I really don't know the English word. They would translate to Farmer's Gloves if I apply my mother tongue here. And then force it.

For me it caused plastic shavings. But I was able to blow them off the sensor surface just fine with a bellows.

After that, you can re-attache the lens and lock ring.