Performing a modification on my Bell & Howell Super8 film projector to replace the original DJL incandescent light bulb with a newer style halogen flood light. The original bulb now costs over $100 in most cases, despite this being a very popular bulb with no shortage of them out there. They’re gouging us, but we don’t have to take it!

There are several options for replacing the DJL bulb with newer and cheaper bulbs but I liked the idea of this one most because it ends up looking like it came that way and once you’ve done it all future bulbs will be very cheap, unlike some other options. The only problem I have with this method is the directions were terrible and the instructional video was the absolute worst instructions I’ve ever watched! I’m hoping this guide will be much better than the rest.

Original lamp was an Eiko DJL 120V 150W incandescent light bulb. Replacement lamp is an ESK 120V 150W halogen spot/flood light bulb. Looks like a standard halogen flood type bulb seen in many track lighting fixtures.

My projector is a Bell & Howell Motion Picture Projector 626R Design 462A. I’ve read that nearly all Bell & Howell projectors used this DJL lamp and others like Sears also used them.

I also have a written guide with pictures if you prefer that: http://shot97retro.blogspot.com/2017/08/super8-motion-picture-projector-light.html

If you’d like to do this yourself this is the link to the exact page I bought it from: https://goo.gl/ZGiuEe

My Unnecessary Surgery Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_W3r-eAOdMwa6uKbTZNYmt6t68ofCQIA

00:00 – Introduction/Dead Bulb
01:05 – Price Gouging On DJL Lamp
02:34 – Solution: Newer Halogen Bulb
03:57 – Terrible Instructions
05:15 – Taking Out Screws
07:12 – Taking Off Back Case
08:15 – Unscrewing Light Socket
11:26 – Getting Ready To Drill Frame
14:00 – Taking Off Plastic Fan Air Guide/Drilling Out Rivets
16:30 – Rubber Grommet Option/Drilling Power Holes
18:29 – Reattaching Fan Assembly
19:13 – Rewiring Power Lines
21:54 – Reattaching Fan Assembly Plate
22:18 – Testing The New Bulb In The Projector
23:31 – Putting The Case/Screws Back Together
26:45 – Cleaning
28:28 – Putting The Light Cover On/Test With Everything Together
30:02 – Showing Off A New Super8 Film With The New Light
34:16 – Final Thoughts
35:47 – NSlate

Unnecessary Surgery Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_W3r-eAOdMwa6uKbTZNYmt6t68ofCQIA

Unnecessary Surgery – Ep. 2×4 – Motion Picture Projector Light Upgrade