B&H Filmo/Eyemo AC Motor Connector

Matthew Hall · November 16

I have run across this problem and can only assume that others have as well. I obtained a Filmo 70-DR 16mm movie camera with a 115v AC motor. It has a 3-prong connector (Cannon) for the power supply, but after an exhaustive search I could not find a Cannon connector that would fit. Apparently B&H used a proprietary or discontinued part that just isn't currently available. Not being one to let that stop me I began to search for something else I could use. The answer came the other day when I was on Amazon. I looked for a three prong connector similar to what was on the motor. I ran across a "XLR Connector Male Female to 1/4 Audio Jack 3 Pin Secure Plug with Locking Ends." The diameter was within the range of the original on the motor so I thought I would risk the $7.95 for five of them (you know, get 5 in case you screw up the first couple trying to figure them out). They arrived the other day and I was astonished to find that they basically just fit inside the existing plug on my Filmo motor. Here are the specifics with photos:

The first image shows what I got from Amazon. The second image shows the internal male plug removed by unscrewing the one screw. In the third image you have to drill a hole in the top of the cover on the motor connector. There is a small circular depression inside the cover that around its girth (see image #4). You need to make sure that the hole you drill is in the center of this depression as that depression is where the new connector will sit. Place the connector into the old cover and insert the screw to securely attach (photo #4). I then placed some epoxy glue into the cover to permanently attach the connector to the cover (photo #5). Just drop it in and let the connector sit facing directly upward while the glue dries (IMPORTANT -- only put glue on the back side of the plug, not on the side facing outward where the female plug will sit!). This kind of puddles around the bottom of the connector and attaches it really well. This very is important to ensure the connector does not come loose due to the pushing/pulling of the female matched connector as you attach it and remove it. The next image shows the connector installed into the cover. Notice the small depression in the top of the cover where the female plug would clip into to avoid it accidentally falling out or getting loose. Well, the new plug has this same clip and it fits right into this hole like a glove to provide a secure connection (see the following photo). Just push in the new plug and it clicks into place. Then simply press the button on the connector to remove. You can also see a keyed slot just below this small depression used to align the female plug. The new connector has this same key and it also fits perfectly into this slot. The next two photos show the entire unit plugged together. It really fits snugly and securely. The last photo is the finished product. Just solder the wires to either end and reattach the cover to the AC motor with the two screws and you are finished. Remember to put an inline switch on the supply side cord as there is no switch on the motor.

Item:

5 CORE XLR Connector Male Female to 1/4 Audio Jack 3 Pin Secure Microphone Plug with Locking Ends - XLR 5 Pair

Just copy and paste this into the Amazon search bar and it should pull it up -- $7.99 for 5 pair of plugs.

NOTE: For those of you worried about running 115v current through an audio plug. We are not using the lesser rated audio cabling and the pins are of the same size and thickness as the original. Even that said, this will only be run for a most several seconds as the 100 foot roll of film is quickly exhausted. That is simply not enough time to build up any heat inside the coupling to do any damage. It should be fine.

Edited November 16 by Matthew Hall

Matthew Hall · November 16

Here is the final product. Just plugged it in and confirmed it works. I also spoke with a friend of mine who is an electrician and he confirmed that as long as cords rated for 115v are used, the miniscule 900mA this motor draws will not present a problem for this connector (the placard on the side of the motor rates it at 0.9 Amps or 900mA). I have used a standard 115v rated extension cord and a straight through inline switch rated for 115v as well.

Simon Wyss · November 17

Congratulation 🏅

Good black-and-white photographs!

Steve Switaj · November 23

Matthew;

Sorry I didn't see this earlier or I could have saved you a bit of trouble.

Switchcraft still makes a 3 pin, male, right angle, chassis mount, XLR connector. It's their p/n W3M, and it's available for $15

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Switchcraft/W3M

As you've discovered, the innards of these connectors are pretty interchangeable, if you need something other than 3 pins, you can buy the above part to get the right angle housing, and then by another standard cable-mount XLR male switchcraft plug, say, this 4 pin...

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Switchcraft/A4M

and swap out the contact blocks.