I had the classic would not advance problem. I disagree that it is a 30 minute fix, probably 3-4 hours to do a good job. You need to be handy with tools and have the right tools. I agree with the two reviewers who said it is a much easier fix if you cut away the sheet metal above the solenoid. When I finished the install, the cycle solenoid worked and the slide would advance (which it would not do before). Then when I put the case on, the projector would not advance. I read on line that sometimes you need to press the advance and return buttons a number of times to clear a jam. So I tried that and then it started working and has been working ever since. In removing the solenoid I accidently broke the auto focus gear. This wasn't a problem since the kit comes with a new one. Pounding the new gear onto the splined shaft took me about 1/2 hour. The instructions recommend using a 1/4" socket, drive extension, and a hammer. You want to be gentle to not break the gear and still put enough force on the gear to get it on the shaft. I recommend you remove the lenses and the bulb while doing the hammering. The instructions were very clear and there is also a youtube video that describes how to fix the projector. Don't go with the youtube video that wants you to take the entire projector apart. I didn't think the auto focus was working when I put it back together so I took the case off and saw that the motor was driving the gears and moving the lens. I read in the manual that auto focus works after you manually focus a slide the first time. It seems to be working much quieter than before. I am using this projector to sort slides to make digital copies. This fix came in handy for getting the projector back working. Read more
First of all I have to say my repair was successful. I have a 1974 Kodak Custom 850H Carousel pictured below. I read many of the reviews and the difficulties involved in the repair but I was up to the challenge and ordered the kit. It arrived ahead of schedule. I was very pleased to see that the kit includes a four page set of instructions which were very helpful. I was also able to find the projector repair manual on the Internet which was very helpful in the second phase of my repair. My projector suffered form the same "failure to advance" problem as described by many others. I followed the instructions and disassembled the necessary parts. The plastic link was broken as suspected. I was able to get the solenoid out, replace the link, and reinsert the solenoid per instructions. However, when I tested it before completely reassembling the unit, it didn't work. I used a multi-meter to test continuity and voltage to the solenoid to try to track down the problem. It turned out that it was a poor connection with the orange lead to the solenoid. I decided to disassemble everything again but this time I chose to use a pair of tin snips to cut the metal (along the red lines in the picture) above the solenoid to gain easier access. This makes everything 10x easier than trying to get the solenoid through the side of the sheet metal and doesn't weaken the chassis at all. After unwrapping the tape around the solenoid, I was able to fix the poor connection and reassemble the unit. Now the solenoid worked great. When I tried to put the new gears on the auto focus motor, I ran into another problem. It appears that Kodak made auto focus shafts with different diameters either based on model type or date of production. The white gear that came with the kit and goes on the shaft that connects to the lens, has an inside diameter of about 0.170. My shaft had a diameter of 0.200 and the gear would not go on. I had to take an appropriately sized drill and enlarge the hole in the gear. After opening the hole in the gear, I was able to tap it on the shaft by using a hex socket about the size of the gear to apply pressure evenly from a small tack hammer. The worm gear that goes on the motor shaft, fit without modification. I cleaned the inside of the projector and lubricated the parts per the instructions. The projector seemed to run a little more quietly after lubrication. I put everything back together and the projector worked fine for a minute or so then the bulb blew. I guess I can't complain. It was the original ELH bulb from 1974. Today I ordered a new bulb and hope to be able to review old slides next week. I hope you find this review helpful. Read more
I give this 5 stars for the quality of the parts and 4 pages of directions with lots of color pictures. However this is not a 30 minute job, more like 4 to 5 hours and if you frustrated easily this is absolutely not for you. I attempted this, busted the auto focus part while attaching a gear. Had the advance working for 30 seconds then it burst into flames (mostly smoke) so that was 4 hours wasted. Kodak is to blame for this, the company had a lot of problems back then and the design of this is the worst. Anyway, avoid this unless you have a work bench was plenty of light and tools and time to take this apart. Take lots of pictures for easy reassembly and good luck. Ps. The hole idea is a good one but vacuum as you cut or the shavings will cause damage. Read more
