ACL Motors

As the ACL design evolved, various types of motors were installed.  The different motors all perform the same function, however they have subtle differences that can be important when choosing a camera.  The critial differences are the frame rates the motor supports and whether it can pull a 400′ magazine.  The first version of the ACL 1 motor was not designed to pull 400′ spools and so is prone to burning out.

Original ACL Motor

Original ACL Motor

The original motor included with the ACL 1 is a single speed crystal sync motor set to either 24 or 25 fps.  The ACL camera was originally produced with only a 200′ magazine.  In response to customer demand, a 400′ magazine was designed for the ACL, however the original ACL motor did not have sufficient torque to reliably use them.  When shooting 400′ rolls the original ACL motor has a tendency to lose sync, overheat, blow fuses and even burn out entirely.  Because of this the original ACL motor has developed a bad reputation as being fragile.  The truth is that the motor was simply not designed for pulling 400′ mags, but is fine for shooting with 200′ magazines.

Most ACL cameras have had the original motor replaced with the heavy duty version and so an original is actually not commonly found.  This motor can be identified by the fact that there is a raised square plate on the front and, of course, no setting to change the frame rate.

Heavy Duty Motor

ACL “Heavy Duty” Motor made by Thomson (France)

Due to complaints of motors burning out with 400′ mags, Eclair produced an improved “heavy duty” motor.  The heavy duty motor runs crystal sync at 24/25fps.  This motor will also run at 8, 12, 50 and 75fps.

This is probably the most common motor found on ACL cameras as most original motors were replaced with this version.

Cinema Products (CP) Motor

CP Motor (Photo by Andy Anderson)

The CP motor is an improved version of the original Eclair motor.  This motor is smaller than the “heavy duty” motor.  A limited quantity of these motors were produced and sold.  The CP motor is capable of pulling 400′ mags when in good running condition.  Some have reported the CP can lose sync when pulling 400′ mags, others have reported it works fine so it likely depends on the particular motor.  One of the benefits of the CP motor is that is is considerably smaller and lighter than any other available motor, yet it is still powerful enough to pull the 400′ mags.

The CP motor’s available frame rates are 8, 12, 16, 20, 24/25, 36 and 48 fps.  Crystal sync is only available at 24/25 fps.

TCS (Tobin Cinema Systems) Motor

ACL w/ Tobin Motor

Clive Tobin designed and sold a limited number of high quality after-market motors for the ACL.  From a purely technical standpoint, this motor is easily the most full-featured available for the ACL.  From a practical standpoint; however, it makes the body somewhat akward for hand-held work since it attached to the base of the camera.  Some owners also report that the TCS motor is a bit louder than a stock ACL motor.

The TCS motor drives the ACL mechanism through a miniature timing belt. Shutter Parking stops the camera each time in the viewing position, so you are instantly ready to start the next shot. At the end of the parking sequence the power is shut down completely. The motor features speeds of 9.375, 12, 12.5, 15, 18.75, 24, 25, 30 and 37.5 FPS when powered with a 12 volt battery, and also 48, 50 and possibly 60 FPS with a 16.8 volt battery . (The 60 Hz HMI speeds are 12, 15, 24, 30 and 60 FPS. For 50 Hz the HMI speeds are 12.5, 25 and 50 FPS).

An RJ-12 receptacle accepts a Tobin Milliframe Controller for .001 FPS speed increments over the range of 5 up to 42 (or 60 FPS depending on the battery voltage). There is an output for the TMC2′s footage counter. The less expensive Tobin Videoframe Controller can be used for getting just two specific speeds: 23.976 and 29.970 FPS for filming off NTSC TV sets without a roll bar. A red light shows if correct speed is not maintained. An amber light shows when the shutter is parking.

ACL w/ Tobin Motor (side view)

The TCS motor is finished in Black Velvet baked powder-coat with silk screened white legends. Power input is by a standard XLR 4-pin male socket and a 3 amp fuse. The speed switches are accessed through a removable cap in the front of the base. A front rocker switch controls the Run and Stop functions. Two tapped holes on the front of the right side can be used for attaching an accessory hand grip. An inching knob is provided on the right side. The motor is mounted in rubber to prevent the transfer of noise to the housing. Tripod threads are provided for 3/8″ and 1/4″ screws.

As with the CP motor, replacement parts may be more scarce.  The TCS offers no provision for energizing the exposure meter, bloop or pilot circuit found in some cameras. This motor is not recommended for students or rental, owing to the rather small and delicate nature of the speed switches.

HafleXX Variable Speed Motor

HafleXX Motor for NPR

HafleXX produced heavy duty, variable speed motors for the ACL and the NPR. The motor resembles a heavy duty ACL motor to allow for hand-held shooting.  It includes an LED sync light.   The HafleXX motor it takes about a second or so to ramp up to speed (a design intended to ease the pressure on old cameras) which can be a negative aspect when shooting fast action.  In place of an inching knob, the HafleXX motor has an inching button which requires power to operate.

The HafleXX motor has been reported to hold sync well when pulling 400′ magazines, even in extreme conditions.