P3D Stereo Projectors

[Michael Georgoff <Michael_Georgoff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Given that stereo projectors seem to be going for more money than I have,
I'm thinking of a projector hack.  (I've seen TDC 116's at $450 on ebay
recently, and 716's going for about $500 to $550, saw a Triad 500 for $475
at A&I Camera.  Compcos and Nords are maybe affordable if you can find one,
which I can't).  I figure that I can get old projectors for about $20 or $25
each.  Given some time in the garage with saws, Demels, etc, I may be able
to "twin" a matched pair of projectors.  Anyone have any experience in
projector hacks they'd like to share? (I recall Harold Baize did a twin job
on a pair of Argus projectors)

And, I'm curious as to whether or not a projector bulb (sometimes scarce and
expensive) can be replace by a halogen bulb, as used in household lighting.
I'd need to install a new base, etc, but the bulbs are readily available and
comparatively cheap.  I am not looking for "big room" projection, just
enough to use at home, so megawatts not required.  I did note on T3D that
fan cooling of turned of halogen bulbs may cause thermal stress which may
cause the bulbs to crack, so I'll wire the fan and bulbs on the same switch.
If I do go the halogen route (if this is even a workable idea), can anyone
give me an estimate of how many watts I'd need?  Imagine a living room
scenario projecting about 10 or 12 feet.

On the subject of wattage, and therefore heat, I'd like to have "enough"
light to project, but not so much heat as to cause me to need to mount in
glass (I use paper mounts).  (And, why is it that "regular" slides, like Dad
used to project when I was a kid, why they are/were almost always projected
in the mount, but not in glass?  Why does glass seem to be a requirement in
stereo projection?)

Pretty clueless about projection...

Thanks.

Michael Georgoff
San Jose, CA


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