Broken fan with my Durst 138

[matti]

So finally I had some time to testrun my newly aquired, installed and leveled Durst 138 with Color head. Then suddenly my Lafan (Looks like this) started to sound odd for a couple of seconds and then died. I took it apart but couldn't find anything obvious, so I suppose the electric motor is shot?

So, what are my options?

- Take the fan to someone that can fix or change electrical motors. Do these places exist?

- Change to somehting less than 2x300 W and do without fan. (Probably not a good idea?)

- Try to find some other ordinary fan that can be attatched to the hose. (This sounds like the most simple solution to me. I am thinking about an ordinary ventilation fan.)

/matti

 

[Fotohuis]

- Take the fan to someone that can fix or change electrical motors. Do these places exist?

- Change to somehting less than 2x300 W and do without fan. (Probably not a good idea?)

- Try to find some other ordinary fan that can be attatched to the hose. (This sounds like the most simple solution to me. I am thinking about an ordinary ventilation fan.)

1) Yes, you can sent it in.
2) Not a good idea. At the end you will have an overheated enlarger head and maybe things are melting/burning.
3) Maybe if you can find a suitable replacement with the same type of mounting.

 

[blaze-on]

try this page for durst parts availability/possibilities:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Denis P.]

So, what are my options?

- Take the fan to someone that can fix or change electrical motors. Do these places exist?

- Change to somehting less than 2x300 W and do without fan. (Probably not a good idea?)

- Try to find some other ordinary fan that can be attatched to the hose. (This sounds like the most simple solution to me. I am thinking about an ordinary ventilation fan.)

/matti

First option sounds expensive (Durst servicing/replacements tend to be generally expensive). Of course, if you just need to fix the fan motor, it could be cheaper, provided you can find a place/person who services electrical household appliances, lice vacuum cleaners, etc.

Second option is not recommended for various reasons - others will probably chime in.

Third option is what I would personally opt for - attach an ordinary household vacuum cleaner - it's the solution I've seen often, and works like a charm. Doesn't need any complicated power source, and every household usually has one
If you're into something more durable - i.e. a permanent attachment, you can probably use something like a ventilation fan, like you mention, or even a fan used in PC computers - something could be easily rigged, I gues. It just needs enough "suction" power. Durst fans are usually turbine kind, and generally provide a lot of air flow.
I'm sure something can be rigged cheaply... (yes, I'm a cheap b***ard, and tend to rely on DIY solutions , so your mileage can vary....)

Denis

 

[wfwhitaker]

What's a Lafan worth?

 

[resummerfield]

My first option would be to install a new LAFAN fan assembly, as this would keep everything original, and ensure you have sufficient airflow to remove the heat. Check with Jens Jensen. However, venting the heat out is not that complicated, so if you can not get a new unit (price or availability), my next option would be along the lines of a common ventilation fan connected with vent hose. Just keep in mind the airflow of the original unit, and use a substitute of at least that amount.

 

[matti]

So, now I have come up with a solution that might be permanent or might be temporary.

I bought a simple ventilator intended for bathrooms and after some adjustments it was possible to connect it to the hose going into the enlarger head.

It seems to work fine! I printed all evening and am pleased so far with my new 138. As I am not used to it, I made some stupid mistakes, of course, like adding time when doing contact sheets for thinner negatives...

Even though my fan is not as strong as the original Lafan, I think it will work out ok. The head has a thermometer that controls the fan via the voltage stabiliser and it was only if I took a really long time focusing that the fan continued blowing after I turned off the lamps. Maybe I should be a little careful when doing lith work with really long exposures.

/matti

 

[Donald Miller]

So, now I have come up with a solution that might be permanent or might be temporary.

I bought a simple ventilator intended for bathrooms and after some adjustments it was possible to connect it to the hose going into the enlarger head.

It seems to work fine! I printed all evening and am pleased so far with my new 138. As I am not used to it, I made some stupid mistakes, of course, like adding time when doing contact sheets for thinner negatives...

Even though my fan is not as strong as the original Lafan, I think it will work out ok. The head has a thermometer that controls the fan via the voltage stabiliser and it was only if I took a really long time focusing that the fan continued blowing after I turned off the lamps. Maybe I should be a little careful when doing lith work with really long exposures.

/matti

I converted my 138 S from the 250 watt Thorn lamp to a 1000 watt lamp. I have melted the heat absorbing filter without a fan (950 degrees celcius).

I now have a fan installed that moves 240 cfm continually. The fan that I use is mounted on the wall next to the enlarger with flexible metal duct connecting the two.

I learned from my experience that isolating the fan vibration is vital to having sharp prints...especially on long exposures.

 

[matti]

My new small fan will move about 150 cfm. I fell the thermostat in the head gives me a good clue to if it is ennough. (And I only have 2x300 W.) Now I let the fan hang from the roof and hope the flexible hose will take up the vibration. I looked at the grain in the focuscope but couldn't see any vibration but maybe it will be better if I secure the fan to the roof.

/matti

I converted my 138 S from the 250 watt Thorn lamp to a 1000 watt lamp. I have melted the heat absorbing filter without a fan (950 degrees celcius).

I now have a fan installed that moves 240 cfm continually. The fan that I use is mounted on the wall next to the enlarger with flexible metal duct connecting the two.

I learned from my experience that isolating the fan vibration is vital to having sharp prints...especially on long exposures.

 

[wfwhitaker]

What's a Lafan in clean working condition worth?

 

[big_ben_blue]

I converted my 138 S from the 250 watt Thorn lamp to a 1000 watt lamp.

What type/brand of lamp are you using? I am curious to find out (in case the lamp in mine needs changing somewhen in the future).

Thanks

 

[Donald Miller]

What type/brand of lamp are you using? I am curious to find out (in case the lamp in mine needs changing somewhen in the future).

Thanks

I am using an Osram FEl lamp. This required the use of a reflector and a different lamp socket.

 

[wfwhitaker]

What's a Lafan worth?

 

[matti]

An update: Today I blew one of the 300W ELH halogen bulbs. They are not that expensive but I will try to fix the motor in the lafan to get better cooling than my substitue "bathroom"-fan.

/matti