rocka
Hi everyone,
I’ve been given a second enlarger and wanted to ask if I can run both of them via a power strip connected to a timer switch.
Is there any risk of overloading anything?
Sorry, I don’t know anything about electronics.
Best regards,
rocka
Wolf_XL
...I don't see the point in running two enlargers on a single timer. You'll probably only be putting paper under one of them... In the worst-case scenario, firstly you’ll burn out the relay contacts, as they’re most likely not rated for this power, and secondly you might also run into problems with the light from the second enlarger. If rewiring it is too much of a faff, you should at least fit a switch into each lead – then you can use a multi-socket. However, this effort hardly makes much sense...
Stagirit
I have to agree with Wolf_XL; it doesn’t make any sense.
That said, it depends on the power consumption of the enlargers (i.e. the wattage of the lamps); the maximum capacity of the timer is indicated on the underside or directly on the output. You’ll then need to add up the wattage of both lamps to work out whether it’ll work or not.
If it makes sense to set up both enlargers (e.g. one B&W with a condenser and the other with a colour mixing head), then I’d get a second timer as well.
Richard
Hello rocka,
I can only agree with the previous speakers. Using two enlargers at the same time makes no sense. Apart from the issue of stray light, I think exposing two sheets of paper at the same time is nonsense. The negatives would have to be developed with exactly the same exposure time. But in that case, changing the negative on a single enlarger isn’t such a time-consuming task.
Running the second enlarger in ‘idle’ mode simply makes no sense due to the unnecessary stray light it creates.
If it’s a matter of switching, then build yourself a switchboard using surface-mounted sockets or simply install intermediate switches in the supply lines. Then you won’t need to worry about your timer either, as it will only ever be loaded by one enlarger. Although, to be honest, I think that’s just nit-picking.
Best regards
Richard
Oleksander
Hello,
The timer has a load of around 6A, so nothing will blow a fuse; otherwise, I don’t think much of the idea.
Just fit a multi-socket to the timer and unplug the amplifier you’re not using; perhaps the amplifier has a switch as well, in which case it’s no problem at all.
Oleksander
Gast
Hi Rocko,
I assume that both enlargers aren’t switched on at the same time. In that case, it’s not a problem; sometimes it actually makes sense, for example when enlarging different film formats, as you don’t always have to change the lens, condenser, negative stage, etc.
Regards
Hal
