Anyone know how to use the Durst RCP 40 Vario?

pentaxuser · Jun 3, 2020

RR10 If it is possible to fit the paper into an easel by feel alone and then into the RCP 40 by the same feel then you will be able to eliminate or identify the safelight as the problem.

Which safelight have you got? If it's a DUKA or other sodium light then what is the setting on the light and how far away is it from the paper box and enlarger easel and then the RCP . All these things count towards the light being safe or otherwise

pentaxuser

RMB10 · Jun 3, 2020

I don't have any safe light for color printing. I print in the dark

pentaxuser · Jun 3, 2020

Sit in the darkroom for 10-15 minutes and see what you can see. If the answer is nothing then that suggests that it has to be a problem with the paper prior to you receiving it . Try a sheet from the middle of the box. If that shows the same colour then you have bought a box of faulty paper that is not fit for its purpose .

Contact the seller who has sold you a product that fails to comply with the sale of good act. As far as I can see once you do the sitting in the dark test and it passes the test there is nothing else other than faulty paper.

pentaxuser

RMB10 · Jun 4, 2020

thanks for your advice pentaxuser. I'm calling the seller now.

btaylor · Jun 4, 2020

My experience with third parties (two) who break down larger rolls to precut sheets has been entirely negative. Outdated and/or fogged paper. Factory sealed manufacturers boxes only from a reputable volume store for me and no more problems.

RMB10 · Jun 5, 2020

That's useful to know.
I contacted the seller and he's looking into it. Hopefully I'll get my money back to buy a fresh factory sealed box!

bardamu · Jun 7, 2020

about to acquire an RCP40 (not the Vario). trying to figure out if it was adapted to RA4. paper moves about 10 cm /4 inches per minute. a 24 cm / 10 inch long sheet of paper takes 7 minutes from start to end. is that ok for RA4? would so like a copy of the manual. thanks

bardamu · Jun 8, 2020

would it make sense to add a speed variator to the motor? what kind of motor is this?

gordrob · Jun 8, 2020

My RCP40 has bit the dust so I can't set it up to check the speed of it but if I remember the paper should take about 2 min 20 sec to travel through the machine. I think that if you are getting a 7 min travel time it is still set for EP2.
You will have to change the gearing to speed it up for RA4. When I got mine it was already upgraded so I can't help you with the mechanics.
Here is a link to a site for upgrading a RCP20 which may be of help.
https://www.vogelstimmen-wehr.de/rcp20.htm

bardamu · Jun 8, 2020

yes thanks I have read that. wondering if the same size gears would work on the RCP40...

bardamu · Jun 11, 2020

anyone please can check their RCP40 and measure the size of the two gears linked by the toothed belt? please note picture is from an RCP20, so just as a reference. thank you so much

gordrob · Aug 12, 2020

bardamu said:
anyone please can check their RCP40 and measure the size of the two gears linked by the toothed belt? please note picture is from an RCP20, so just as a reference. thank you so much

Were you able to get the gear and belt measurement that you needed for the RCP40?

bardamu · Aug 12, 2020

nope, anyone could help.
I also tried to get a quote for a motor replacement with speed variator, to no avail.

gordrob · Aug 12, 2020

bardamu said:
nope, anyone could help.
I also tried to get a quote for a motor replacement with speed variator, to no avail.

PM sent about parts for the RCP 40

RMB10 · Oct 5, 2020

hello RCP40 fellow users,

I need to get a new belt for my processor ( RCP 40 VarioSpeed)

The one I have is not the original one and it's too long, hence loose.
Would anyone with an empty machine be so kind to tell me what the original belt has written on it?
There should be a code like 220xl.

Or does anyone have a spare I could buy?

Thanks so much!!!!

RMB10 · Oct 7, 2020

After various attempts, I now know the right size RCP 40 timing belt should be either 192XL, 194XL or 196XL.
( I have a 200xl, way too long and a 195xl, way too short!).
If anyone has the machine not in use and could tell me what they have I would highly appreciate it.
Thanks a lot!

RMB10 · Dec 23, 2020

Just thought I'll let you know, I found that the correct timing belt for the RCP 40 Variospeed is the 198XL.

RMB10 · Dec 23, 2020

On another note, I was wondering if someone can tell me how they do the replenishment in the RCP 40.
Do you take out the same amount of chemicals that you replenish each time?
I tend to print in sessions ( more or less 30days in a row) and then empty the machine when it's not in use.
Then I mix some new chemicals ( in my case Kodak RT) when I start a new session so I don't really know for how long I could possibly keep on using the same chemicals before they expire....
It would be great to hear your experiences.
Thanks a lot!

btaylor · Dec 23, 2020

10ml per 8x10 surface area. My processor takes 4 liters of chemistry. I’ll use it for a session (a day). When I clean up I count up how many 8x10’s (or equivalent surface area) I processed times 10ml. Put that amount of replenisher in the developer bottle and drain the tank, discarding any additional used developer over the 4 liters. Then I am ready for the next session.

RMB10 · Jan 6, 2021

btaylor said:
10ml per 8x10 surface area. My processor takes 4 liters of chemistry. I’ll use it for a session (a day). When I clean up I count up how many 8x10’s (or equivalent surface area) I processed times 10ml. Put that amount of replenisher in the developer bottle and drain the tank, discarding any additional used developer over the 4 liters. Then I am ready for the next session.

thank you so much and sorry for the slow reply. That's great to know.
Then for how long do you keep using the same replenished chemicals until you empty the processor and refill it with fresh ones?
Would you say if you are printing for 4 weeks in a row and then stop printing for a while, would you then start over with brand new chemicals?
Just to get an idea on how long you can go on using the same replenished solutions ( still talking about RA4 Kodak chemicals).
Thanks a lot!

btaylor · Jan 6, 2021

RR10 said:
thank you so much and sorry for the slow reply. That's great to know.
Then for how long do you keep using the same replenished chemicals until you empty the processor and refill it with fresh ones?
Would you say if you are printing for 4 weeks in a row and then stop printing for a while, would you then start over with brand new chemicals?
Just to get an idea on how long you can go on using the same replenished solutions ( still talking about RA4 Kodak chemicals).
Thanks a lot!

I am using Silver Pixel chemistry from Freestyle, although I doubt there is any significant difference between Kodak and Silver Pixel. Using pop bottles filled completely between sessions I can go months between sessions with no problem. At 9 months I just mix fresh. My volume is low, I will print maybe once a month. I leave the chemistry in the processor no longer than overnight, as I can only print on weekends. I got a Durst Printo with dried chemistry left in it, it took many hours to clean it so I am pretty careful with keeping the machine spotless. I am also concerned with oxidation with the chems sitting in the processor for too long.

RMB10 · Jan 20, 2021

btaylor said:
I am using Silver Pixel chemistry from Freestyle, although I doubt there is any significant difference between Kodak and Silver Pixel. Using pop bottles filled completely between sessions I can go months between sessions with no problem. At 9 months I just mix fresh. My volume is low, I will print maybe once a month. I leave the chemistry in the processor no longer than overnight, as I can only print on weekends. I got a Durst Printo with dried chemistry left in it, it took many hours to clean it so I am pretty careful with keeping the machine spotless. I am also concerned with oxidation with the chems sitting in the processor for too long.

that's great to know you can use the same chemistry for such a long time as long as you replenish regularly! Thanks so much for the explanation!
I use the Durst RCP and replenishing is all doing manually. Im not so sure how to drain the tank to get rid of additional chemistry. Does that mean I just let some of it out judging by eye through the pipes before I replenish? Or isn't the chemistry just used during printing and there is no need to let some out when adding new one?

Cameralisatie · May 19, 2022

Dear friends. Im reviving this thread to see if someone had any luck with rubber rollers swelling up at the ends? if so I would love to know what I could do to fix them.
I'm an darkroom educator and my RCP40 would be great in the darkroom.. if the rollers werent in this state. hope to hear from any of you!

AgX · May 19, 2022

Rollers in roller-processors have turned out consumables. You likely have to to get yours refurbished.

Anyone know how to use the Durst RCP 40 Vario?

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