COMPLETE RESTORATION OF A BRAUN VISACUSTIC 1000 STEREO PROJECTOR BY RENZO DAL BO

(Text, photos and videos by Renzo dal Bo)

Shortly before the Christmas holidays I received a desperate case from my friend Mauro Coscia: a Braun Visacustic 1000 p(rojector that had previously suffered serious damage, likely due to careless transport by the courier.

Mauro's request was to evaluate the possibility of recovery and, if necessary, a complete overhaul. However, several other problems emerged during the restoration, making it a typical case demonstrating the commitment required to bring machines, over 40 years old, back to life.In the following sequence of images and videos, I illustrate all the main phases, which required more than two full days of work, but with the full satisfaction of a successful final result.

The rewind reel shaft was bent and some plastic pieces of the clutch were broken.

The rest of the mechanics seemed in order though.

To disassemble the bent shaft, it was necessary to use the force of the hammer.

Luckily, I had all the parts I needed to replace, not only the shaft, but the entire rewind arm assembly.

This is the comparison of the two details, with the shaft no longer reusable.

I also had to replace the back cover.
However, I had a different back cover model available.
Some slight modifications were made during the production of the Visacustic projectors. Over time, two small screws were added to the top to better secure the back cover to the projector frame.
To fit the replacement back cover, which required two screws, I also had to drill and tap two small holes in the frame.

After installing the new arm, I checked that the clutch assembly works properly and that it disengages when the film is reversed.

It was time to try starting the projector, but another surprise awaited. Although the motor started, the projector's mechanisms remained stationary, indicating that the rubber belt was slipping on the motor pulley and needed to be replaced.
A very positive feature of the Visacustic series projectors is that replacing the belt is simple and can be done with a Phillips screwdriver, in less than five minutes.

After changing the motor belt, the projector started normally but reported a movement irregularity, a sign that some mechanical parts, typically a gear, needed replacing.

The original gear with plastic teeth showed small radial cracks and required replacement with a new one.

The imperceptible crack seen up close.

After a complete overhaul of the moving parts, including cleaning and lubrication with new grease, the projector finally ran properly at all speeds.

Then it was the time to check the electronics related to the sound, and another typical problem, that can afflict Visacustic projectors, occurred: a pulsating sound coming from the amplifier, due to the loss of some electrolytic capacitors. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to disassemble the sound board located at the base of the projector.
Since many parts must be disassembled to reach it, it is advisable to replace not only the electrolytic capacitors causing this defect, but also, as a precaution, others that can, over time, cause other problems such as lack of sound, the motor not starting, or a blown fuse among the many fuses this projector comes with

The difficulty of reaching some components in a crowded electronics system in a small space requires great care. Extreme caution must be exercised when handling the board to avoid interrupting any of the connections of the many soldered wires extending from the board itself.

I also replaced the double-sided adhesive on the plug holder that goes to the magnetic head.
Over time, the foam part flakes off, and the holder comes off the multi-pin plug.

Before reassembling the sound card, it is necessary to remove and replace the old conductive thermal paste, which allows the heat produced by the power transistors to disperse.

The sound card was reassembled in its original position, making sure that all connections were correct.

The power and motor control board also has a heat sink, which requires new thermal conductive paste.

Once all the connectors are in place, the cables must be arranged so that they do not interfere with the moving parts.

For this purpose, cable ties are used to secure all the cables.
Note the gem: I used the original design ones.

Finally, the time has come to check whether the extensive work on the electronics has paid off.
Indeed, the amplifier's pulsating noise has disappeared.
Bingo!

Using the microphone originally supplied with the projector, I checked that the first channel's output was working correctly.

I repeated the same operation for the second channel.

Having made sure that all the functions are present and working correctly, I moved on to regulating, using the strobe light, all four speeds that the projector is equipped with.

The most exciting and anticipatory moment: the first test with sound film.
It seems to have been successfully completed.

It's time to reassemble all the plastic parts that make up the projector's outer casing, after thoroughly cleaning them, of course.
Aesthetics are also important...

The back side, with all the sockets.

The front side, with the 1.1 lens.

The opposite side with the knob for manual advance.

And finally the main side with all the controls.

Final test screening a sound film.
Unfortunately, the cell phone footage doesn't do justice to the brightness and stability of this projector's image.
I hope the effort to restore this machine to full efficiency is rewarded by the owner's satisfaction.