new ALCS crystal sync motor for Eclair ACL

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 1/23/2024 at 11:38 AM, Aapo Lettinen said:

I am making couple of 2-speed crystal motors for entirely different camera model but the motor drive itself and the mounting parts are the same than on my Eclair ACL motors to save resources, only difference is that the 2-speed motor mounts on the camera right side like on most film cameras whereas the Eclair ACL has motor on the left (aka operator) side of the camera.

Would anyone want to buy a 2-speed motor like this for the ACL, I can make two or three of the motors MIRRORED so that they can be mounted on the camera left side if people want them for ACL but I need to know really soon if they are needed?

The time window is pretty limited, about 2 weeks from now. They need to be ordered and paid for before February10 if wanting one. Otherwise I will just make all the motors in the batch for camera right side use so that they would be painful to use with the ACL for needing to mount them upside down with the controls underside and all the text upside down

Price is 850usd a piece + shipping. The motor has integrated electronics (no external box, just everything in one package which is larger than my original ACL motor drive), it has either 24+48fps crystal OR 25+50fps crystal (need to be ordered with either one combination, not possible to change afterwards! I can change it just before shipping so you don't need to decide it yet) and "wild" variable speed. Manual inching knob.

Works with 18 to 20V just like my other ACL motors.

I can have the motors themselves shipping in March but the axle adapters may take some time to manufacture, if they are not ready in March I will send them afterwards in April.

Tested the software and circuit boards of the 2-speed motor now and they work perfectly.

One update: the motor can be switched between 24/48fps and 25/50fps modes by the user by installing or removing a jumper inside. Just open the front panel by removing 4 screws, jumper on or off, front panel back on.

So no need to send it back to me for this kind of fps base change, I decided to add the jumper method so that it is easier for me to finish them and it adds security to the end user that they can make this change by themself if in some rare cases need to do it ?

COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS 2-SPEED CRYSTAL MOTOR MODEL FOR THE ACL. Making a special version for ACL requires making different casings with mirrored controls and mirrored front panels, so I will only make them available if they are really needed.

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 2/7/2024 at 2:50 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Tested the software and circuit boards of the 2-speed motor now and they work perfectly.

One update: the motor can be switched between 24/48fps and 25/50fps modes by the user by installing or removing a jumper inside. Just open the front panel by removing 4 screws, jumper on or off, front panel back on.

So no need to send it back to me for this kind of fps base change, I decided to add the jumper method so that it is easier for me to finish them and it adds security to the end user that they can make this change by themself if in some rare cases need to do it ?

COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS 2-SPEED CRYSTAL MOTOR MODEL FOR THE ACL. Making a special version for ACL requires making different casings with mirrored controls and mirrored front panels, so I will only make them available if they are really needed.

I have still possibility to make the ACL version of the 2-speed motor. The deadline for orders is 15th March and delivery likely in May. I will need at least one order to move the ACL version forward, it is exactly similar than the normal 2speed motor but just everything mirrored to fit the different side of the camera, so I will just make the extral casing and front panel different and mount the circuit board differently, otherwise it is the same. That is why I did not make separate prototype of the ACL version because, well, it is the same motor, just buttons in different order https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXR6ep1cC1o

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 3/5/2024 at 11:31 AM, Aapo Lettinen said:

I have still possibility to make the ACL version of the 2-speed motor. The deadline for orders is 15th March and delivery likely in May. I will need at least one order to move the ACL version forward, it is exactly similar than the normal 2speed motor but just everything mirrored to fit the different side of the camera, so I will just make the extral casing and front panel different and mount the circuit board differently, otherwise it is the same. That is why I did not make separate prototype of the ACL version because, well, it is the same motor, just buttons in different order https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXR6ep1cC1o

The 2-speed motor for ACL would look approximately like this (MIRRORED PHOTO FOR DEMONSTRATION. WILL MAKE THE FINAL FRONT PANEL WITH PROPER TEXT IF THERE IS ORDERS FOR THIS MODEL). this example has the experimental 2-digit display with additional base speeds and possibly a simple footage counter added. The basic version is of course with normal 24/48 and 25/50fps crystal speeds options

 

[Aapo Lettinen]

The 2-speed motor will have a simple 3d printed protector for the inching knob which allows inching the camera easily but protects the knob from catching anything when the motor is running. the protector is just attached to the motor with 2-sided tape or glue and seems to hold pretty well even if printed out of simple PLA. I am intending on having the files available for users if there is a need to print a replacement part sometime later 🙂

 

[Aapo Lettinen]

Anyone interested in the 2-speed model (830usd + shipping) or the 2-speed model with additional display and more crystal speeds (likely 9 crystal speeds and the variable speed. And some kind of simple footage counter) for 1100usd+shipping?

It looks like this is the last motor model I'll be making for the Eclair ACL as it is pretty optimized price-performance ratio and possible to make in smaller batches because almost all the parts are the same than on my 2-speed Universal Crystal Motor, only the front panel is different and I need to make the extra axle connectors and mounting parts (which are basically included for free as the price is the same than the Universal Motor without these extra ACL specific parts)

I have possibility to assemble couple of these in Summer if anyone needs them but would want to know ASAP if they are needed because I am already scheduling projects for the whole Summer and it can cause the motors being delayed for a month or two if the orders are last minute. So I advice ordering during April if you are interested in this motor, or at least let me know soon so that I have some kind of idea how many motors could be maybe needed 🙂

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 3/24/2024 at 4:23 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Anyone interested in the 2-speed model (830usd + shipping) or the 2-speed model with additional display and more crystal speeds (likely 9 crystal speeds and the variable speed. And some kind of simple footage counter) for 1100usd+shipping?

It looks like this is the last motor model I'll be making for the Eclair ACL as it is pretty optimized price-performance ratio and possible to make in smaller batches because almost all the parts are the same than on my 2-speed Universal Crystal Motor, only the front panel is different and I need to make the extra axle connectors and mounting parts (which are basically included for free as the price is the same than the Universal Motor without these extra ACL specific parts)

I have possibility to assemble couple of these in Summer if anyone needs them but would want to know ASAP if they are needed because I am already scheduling projects for the whole Summer and it can cause the motors being delayed for a month or two if the orders are last minute. So I advice ordering during April if you are interested in this motor, or at least let me know soon so that I have some kind of idea how many motors could be maybe needed 🙂

(mirrored image to reference how the ACL version of the motor approximately looks like with the extra display)

One of the advanced versions with the footage counter display and extra crystal speeds was ordered and I will assemble it in Summer. Would anyone else like to order one from the same batch? You would get the motor faster if ordering from the same batch. Payment would need to be done in June if wanting it from this batch. Shipping in August.

The advanced version is 1100usd + shipping (shipping typically about 70usd).

Edited May 23 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 5/23/2024 at 12:55 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

(mirrored image to reference how the ACL version of the motor approximately looks like with the extra display)

One of the advanced versions with the footage counter display and extra crystal speeds was ordered and I will assemble it in Summer. Would anyone else like to order one from the same batch? You would get the motor faster if ordering from the same batch. Payment would need to be done in June if wanting it from this batch. Shipping in August.

The advanced version is 1100usd + shipping (shipping typically about 70usd).

One advanced and one 2-speed version were ordered, I am making them in early August and designing the improved mounting system at the moment.

There is still possibility to order a ACL motor from this batch, let me know ASAP if needing one.

I would love to get at least one extra order to get the assembling stage as efficient as possible, I normally make motors in batches of 4 and will keep one by myself so one extra order would be perfect 🙂

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 3/24/2024 at 4:23 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Anyone interested in the 2-speed model (830usd + shipping) or the 2-speed model with additional display and more crystal speeds (likely 9 crystal speeds and the variable speed. And some kind of simple footage counter) for 1100usd+shipping?

It looks like this is the last motor model I'll be making for the Eclair ACL as it is pretty optimized price-performance ratio and possible to make in smaller batches because almost all the parts are the same than on my 2-speed Universal Crystal Motor, only the front panel is different and I need to make the extra axle connectors and mounting parts (which are basically included for free as the price is the same than the Universal Motor without these extra ACL specific parts)

I have possibility to assemble couple of these in Summer if anyone needs them but would want to know ASAP if they are needed because I am already scheduling projects for the whole Summer and it can cause the motors being delayed for a month or two if the orders are last minute. So I advice ordering during April if you are interested in this motor, or at least let me know soon so that I have some kind of idea how many motors could be maybe needed 🙂

I am intending on ordering custom axle adapters which are shrink fitted to the motor axles at the local machine shop. this is much higher quality approach than my original ACL motor's axles but it means that I will probably only make a single batch of these 2-speed and 9-speed motors as I need to get all axles treated at the same time to get a good deal on the work.

Will try to include extra ones if possible but I strongly advice ordering these motors from this exact batch if wanting one because I may not be able to make another batch after this. and if missing out you would need to wait 1.5 years for the triple priced "final ACL motor" model.

it is possible to pay these motors in parts if needed, you would just need to add shipping costs then

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 7/1/2024 at 1:22 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

I am intending on ordering custom axle adapters which are shrink fitted to the motor axles at the local machine shop. this is much higher quality approach than my original ACL motor's axles but it means that I will probably only make a single batch of these 2-speed and 9-speed motors as I need to get all axles treated at the same time to get a good deal on the work.

Will try to include extra ones if possible but I strongly advice ordering these motors from this exact batch if wanting one because I may not be able to make another batch after this. and if missing out you would need to wait 1.5 years for the triple priced "final ACL motor" model.

it is possible to pay these motors in parts if needed, you would just need to add shipping costs then

Final call for orders for the August2024 batch of ACL motors!

I will start to order CNC machined parts soon and will need to know the exact amount of motors I will assemble, thus there is a deadline for orders. For 2-speed motors the deadline is very strict as I will only assemble the exact amount ordered and no extra ones. With 9-speed motors I might have chance to assemble one or two extra ones for later sale but that is not guaranteed as I have tons of other projects at the same time.

After this single batch of these motors is made, I will concentrate on the "final ACL motor model" which costs about 1900usd+shipping and these lower priced models are not available anymore then. This is likely the last chance to get an affordable ACL motor if the "final model" is too pricey and advanced for the intended use.

If you are interested in purchasing the 2-speed or 9-speed ACL motor, please contact me ASAP and place the order before July 22. It needs to be paid by then too, either the first part if paying in 2 parts or the full amount if paying it all at once to get free shipping.

[Aapo Lettinen]

Today is the deadline for final orders of 2-speed ACL crystal sync motors. This motor type has internally switchable 24/48 and 25/50fps crystal sync and wild variable speed which goes up to over 70fps if needed. Works with 18 volts, can be used with for example a power tool battery or one can use higher voltage battery and step down converter to power it. The motor is powerful enough to run the ACL reliably with full 400ft loads. Pictured is the empty housing to show the size of the motor compared to the ACL with 400ft mag.

I will need to order the rest of the CNC machined parts for these soon and this is the only batch of these made, after which I will concentrate on much more expensive designs. So the final chance of getting a affordable ACL motor if needing one. The 2-speed model is 830usd, can be paid in 2 parts if needed, or if paid all at once one would get free shipping.

I also have a 9-speed (18 crystal speeds total) version of this motor which is 1100usd. There is still some 2 weeks left to order those ones. The ordering for the 2-speed model closes today. Both motor types will be delivered in late August / early September 2024.

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 7/22/2024 at 10:43 AM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Today is the deadline for final orders of 2-speed ACL crystal sync motors. This motor type has internally switchable 24/48 and 25/50fps crystal sync and wild variable speed which goes up to over 70fps if needed. Works with 18 volts, can be used with for example a power tool battery or one can use higher voltage battery and step down converter to power it. The motor is powerful enough to run the ACL reliably with full 400ft loads. Pictured is the empty housing to show the size of the motor compared to the ACL with 400ft mag.

I will need to order the rest of the CNC machined parts for these soon and this is the only batch of these made, after which I will concentrate on much more expensive designs. So the final chance of getting a affordable ACL motor if needing one. The 2-speed model is 830usd, can be paid in 2 parts if needed, or if paid all at once one would get free shipping.

I also have a 9-speed (18 crystal speeds total) version of this motor which is 1100usd. There is still some 2 weeks left to order those ones. The ordering for the 2-speed model closes today. Both motor types will be delivered in late August / early September 2024.

I will make either 1 or 2 extra pieces of the 9-speed motor for later sale. those are still possible to order. price 1100usd if ordered this month or 1200usd afterwards.

the other part of the cnc machined mounting plate will arrive from factory next week and then I can design the final axle connector. The motor batch will be assembled in late August and shipped out in September.

So if still wanting to order this motor:  there is one or two pieces of the "advanced" 9-speed model available. order this month to get it at normal price. When these run out there will be no extra ones and one would need to wait 1.5 years for my more expensive "ACL2025" motor version.

Edited August 16 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

Assembled all the circuit boards for the 2-speed and 9-speed motors now. Will deflux them tomorrow and drill the casings for the motor units. Will assemble some final 2-speed motors next week.

the axle connectors (fitting to the motor axle and driving the camera with 2 small steel pins) will still take some time to arrive, maybe a week or so. I ended up with pretty similar type of design than on my first ACL motors but just improved a lot so they should be more accurate and better working.

Will post images of the 2-speed motor mounted on my ACL as soon as getting the first one finished.

the 9-speed version will require some additional testing of the footage counters and display after I have the first motor body assembled. will triple check that the software is working correctly and counting right. after that I can finish the 9-speed version too.

Like mentioned before, I will have one or two extra pieces of the 9-speed version available. let me know asap if wanting to order one, they will ship in about 2 weeks so you will get it pretty soon

Edited August 30 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

BTW, none of my ACL motors use the original camera base. One could just take the original base completely off from the camera!

That enables some interesting developments. Because one could manage with a "dumb" base which does not need to have electronics inside, it is possible to easily design a new very compact camera base which just has a tripod mount on the bottom and HAS INTEGRATED 15MM RODS AT EXACTLY CORRECT HEIGHT!

here is a very quick 10 minute draft about what I mean. It does not need to be more complicated than something like this, just rod fastening system added and sharp corners rounded.

Base like this would fit all my ACL motors, including the previous v1.0 models (16-speed, 12-speed) and the 1.5 models (2-speed, 9-speed). And the 2025 version too.

Price tba but it is not particularly expensive, depends on the finishing level and how the rod mounts are made. I expect couple of hundred dollars or something like that. CNC machined aluminium of course. It is relatively easy to design stuff like this so someone else could try too, but because my motors make it possible to use these in the first place it could be logical that I would offer a simple camera base system like this too 🙂 

 

Edited August 31 by Aapo Lettinen