Build/Layout

[CMoore]

Where are you going to get 20 amps in a CA Residence.?
How much current does an enlarger draw.....isn't it just the light source?
Thank You

 

[Nige]

all our GPO's are 10amp... except if you get a 15amp specially done, I have one in my shed for my caravan. But this is Oz, you're in America, so local rules apply!

 

[Paul Howell]

Most common enlargers use a 75watt or 150watt blub, no different than a standard lamp, some use halogen lamps but in the same range. I use a voltage regulator to keep my enlarger steady output when the AC or other appliances kick in.

 

[Early Riser]

Where are you going to get 20 amps in a CA Residence.?
How much current does an enlarger draw.....isn't it just the light source?
Thank You

A 20 amp circuit for your enlarger just means that the electrician uses 20 amp rated wire and a 20 amp circuit breaker. You are building a whole new structure that's going have electric run to it correct? That means the electrian is likely to run a sub panel from your main electrical panel into the new building, that means you are free to use 20 amp circuits easily. In my darkroom each of my enlargers have a dedicated 20 amp circuit. So that's two just for the two enlargers, then the regular outlets are 20 amp, and the room lighting is a separate 15 amp. In my dry room my dry mount press has a dedicated 20 amp circuit, in my studio there are 4 20 amp circuits for studio lighting equipment, in my office my computers and scanners share 2 -20amp circuits. I have a dedicated 20 amp circuit for my stereo amplifier. In my old house I had a 30 amp circuit for it. It doesn't cost much more for the electrician to install 20 amp circuits as compared to 15 amp. The only increased cost is the higher cost of the wire, but it's the labor that's expensive, and there's no difference in labor for a 15 or 20 amp circuit.

You never know the long term requirements of the space you are building, to increase certain abilities now is far cheaper than doing it in the future.

 

[Early Riser]

all our GPO's are 10amp... except if you get a 15amp specially done, I have one in my shed for my caravan. But this is Oz, you're in America, so local rules apply!

In America a 15 amp rated circuit is standard, 20 amp or greater for things like air conditioners. Most houses in the US have 200 amp service. That means that 200 amps total are available, but you could have 20 20 amp circuits, because the actual draw from a 20 amp circuit that has nothing plugged in is zero. I have 200 amp service and probably 500 amps of circuits, if I turned on everything in my house and my equipment as well I am still not likely to trip the 200 amp circuit breaker.

 

[Early Riser]

Most common enlargers use a 75watt or 150watt blub, no different than a standard lamp, some use halogen lamps but in the same range. I use a voltage regulator to keep my enlarger steady output when the AC or other appliances kick in.

And if he should get more serious about darkroom work and get a bigger more powerful enlarger, like a Durst that uses a 2000 watt light and has a powerful cooling fan, or two for that matter, (I have two) or has a large dry mount press or print dryer, and he's run insufficient electric in that space it will cost him 100 times more to increase the available electric supply.

 

[CMoore]

In America a 15 amp rated circuit is standard, 20 amp or greater for things like air conditioners. Most houses in the US have 200 amp service. That means that 200 amps total are available, but you could have 20 20 amp circuits, because the actual draw from a 20 amp circuit that has nothing plugged in is zero. I have 200 amp service and probably 500 amps of circuits, if I turned on everything in my house and my equipment as well I am still not likely to trip the 200 amp circuit breaker.

OK...I see. For some reason I thought homes typically had a 100 amp service. But you know a lot more about this stuff than I do.....I will run your suggestions by the electrician.
Thank You Very Much
yes.....a new building in the backyard. so i am sure you are right, there will have to be a new (sub) panel somewhere.
thanks again

 

[Early Riser]

How old is your house? The 200 amp requirement goes back to the late 1970's in most states. And again, the real cost of electrical work is the electrician's labor. The difference between installing a 15 or 20 amp circuit is only the difference in the cost of the wire and who knows how much more electric hungry technology we'll need in the future. Remember 30 years ago most people used manual typewriters in their home office. Now you have computers, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers, cable modems, wifi routers, etc in home offices. So an office that was only wired for a single 15 amp circuit back then would be hard pressed to keep up. That's why I put two 20 amp circuits in my office just for the computers and technology.

And you can have 100 amp service and still have 20 amp circuits.

My last home had a darkroom and studio with extensive electrical supply. The new home owner turned the darkroom into a spa and steam room, and the studio into a large audiophile listening room. He appreciates all the power that was on supply there.

OK...I see. For some reason I thought homes typically had a 100 amp service. But you know a lot more about this stuff than I do.....I will run your suggestions by the electrician.
Thank You Very Much
yes.....a new building in the backyard. so i am sure you are right, there will have to be a new (sub) panel somewhere.
thanks again

 

[4season]

Any plans for a film processor such as a Jobo? I'd want to allocate counter space now, along with plumbing and electrical as needed.

One of the newer lab spaces at my office is furnished with modular cabinets and counters from Fisher Hamilton:
http://www.hamiltonlab.com

Beauty is, you can reconfigure to your heart's content. Photos on the web site show larger more elaborate configurations, but I'll bet some of the smaller bits would work nicely in a home darkroom.

 

[Paul Howell]

And if he should get more serious about darkroom work and get a bigger more powerful enlarger, like a Durst that uses a 2000 watt light and has a powerful cooling fan, or two for that matter, (I have two) or has a large dry mount press or print dryer, and he's run insufficient electric in that space it will cost him 100 times more to increase the available electric supply.

True, if he is going to build out might as put the service he needs now, and if he sells the house he will have the service to run a wood shop or kiln, might be a selling point for another hobbyist.

 

[CMoore]

How old is your house? The 200 amp requirement goes back to the late 1970's in most states. And again, the real cost of.

Yeah.....Thanks Again. My home was built 1988. I know a good electrician, he can advise me on all this stuff. I will definitely relay some of your Suggestions to him. Again.....I do not Know my house is 100 amps, I just thought that was typical, and it always seemed like a low number to me.
We have AC running on 240 as well.
Thank You

 

[Ronald Moravec]

A darkroom can be too large, meaning too much walking.

Build your enlarger bench (s) away from the tray area or provide a wall divider. The tray area needs to accommodate 4 trays of the largest size print you want to make. Nice to have them inside a fiberglass where spills do not matter. sink is next to trays for easy access. Then a holding tray.

A center island can be made to work well.

Ergonomics is most important. Tray height needs to be comfortable for you, not kitchen height for short spouse. I am 6`. Trays are 36" & I can stand straight up. Enlarger bench needs to be proper height for easy viewing of focus magnifier. My short friends have a lot of trouble.

Build in places for paper storage and /or drying prints. Aisles are 30", 24 minimum.

The leftover space is for finishing, print trimmer, mounting press, matt cutter, matt storage, framing materials.