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

[thilosde]

Hello!
I'm here in Germany in Berlin, and for a long time I've wanted to digitize my Super-8 films, which I shot in the 70s with my Bauer Royal 8E makro. Recently, I came across the "Kodak Reels" online and managed to win one in an auction on eBay. The original invoice is dated September 7, 2026 (it is still under warranty), so it is relatively new.
My first attempt with a small reel disappointed me, and in the end I came across the video of Mac84 and this page.
After spending hours in front of my PC, I find myself even more confused.
Which version can I install on my device?
And if it fails, is there a way back?
The serial number is A3026148BK01199.
I would be very grateful for any help.

 

[JohnCT]

New here so excuse me if my post is different for other versions (I have an A version per 0Dan0's list).

Popped the back off and removed the motor assy.
Removed the snap ring and the second large gear.
Removed the 4 screws and black retaining cap (I guess you could call it ) and the 3 washers (2 spring washers and a flat sandwiched between them).
Four tiny screws remove the metal plate and the whole take up reel arm comes out.

The 3 washers mentioned above have nothing to do with acting like a clutch or slippage mechanism !
With the arm completely removed, I still have the same amount of force required to make this slip.
I took apart the take up reel arm and inside there are 2 notched gears off the 2 shafts that are connected by a notched drive belt.
If you apply enough force the belt will slip and jump over a notch or two.
This is the ONLY slip mechanism in the entire take up reel arm/motor assy.

Also, the motor itself is very stiff and does not move.
After seeing this I would not recommend anyone manually move the take up reel as this will eventually damage the drive belt !

Other units may vary, but from pictures I have seen I don't think so ?

My fist scan had lots of frame jumping similar to the above video but since most my reels are 400 feet, there is no way I'm using the "let it collect in a bin" method.

Next I'll try removing the left spring from the hold down door.
I wish I had measured the voltage to the take up reel motor during a scan before putting the back cover back on.
Perhaps I can lower the voltage to the motor a bit and slow down the take up reel ?

Have not put in any modified firmware yet...

I removed one of the two washers the heavy wound coil spring pushes against inside the hub (there is one on top of the coil spring and one below). Since the spring doesn't rotate on the washer, there's no issue with the spring sitting on the plastic as the washer isn't a slip bearing. The wavy/bent washer spring won't help with tension. I should have take some pics.

I will say that just once since I removed the washer the takeup reel stalled during a scan. A gentle push and it started again. That was the only time, and I would rather have a bit too weak than a bit too strong.

I modded many film projectors the same way when they used to snap film. It's a delicate balance between enough tension and too much tension.

John