can't see my film developing timer

[TexasRancher]

Hello,
I'm trying to practice my semi-stand film developing procedures but I have run into a problem.
I use a "sink line" that is an open tank to open tank setup in total darkness. Problem is I can't see my big gralab timer It is even hard to find in the dark.
Does anybody have a timer alternative so I'll know when to agitate?
charlie

 

[David Brown]

Make an audio recording with the steps (agitations) at the proper places and music of your choice to fill in the gaps.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I use my Iphone and use this app. You can set the display to green and dimmed. I have the phone/timer at least 5 feet away. You don't even have to see the display. It has audio cues of when to agitate.

http://www.digitaltruth.com/apps/mdc/

 

[wildbill]

what if you "charge it" with a light beforehand. that's what I've done. Side note, I've had to gralab timers quit on me in the middle of a processing cycle with open tanks. Not fun. Keep a backup timer handy.

 

[jimjm]

Similar to David, I use a small digital voice recorder to pre-record the countdowns to my agitations and when to move the film to the next tank. Once I hit the play button, I don't need to touch it again until I'm ready to turn on the lights after the fixer.

Alternatively, if the flourescent hands on your timer aren't bright enough to see, you can also get some green flourescent tape from most art supply stores. I cut a small piece and stick it on the tip of the minute and second hands.

 

[Nige]

Not that I use it in total darkness, but I have a little timer that 'speaks' the count down. Calls out minutes then in the last minute, each tens seconds. I do like David's suggestion.

Mines like this one http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lux-TT10...301120824278?pt=US_Clocks&hash=item461c3323d6

 

[cliveh]

With colour neg we use to use a sound recording - "now agitate and place in second bath".

 

[MartinP]

The voice recording is a good idea, or there are free timers for Android (and hence probably also iOS) that will give audio prompts for agitation and total times. An emergency backup can be a super cheap cooking timer for total time, plus counting thirty sheep for agitation.

 

[winger]

I use a LCD kitchen timer for everything in the darkroom. It has a magnet on the back so I can put it where it will stick so I have my hands free.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Can you cover the top of the tank with a book and then perhaps drape something over that? Then turn on the lights. When time to agitate, turn them off, uncover, agitate, recover and turn the lights back on. If you cannot come up with a way to do the whole thing in the dark, that is...

 

[DWThomas]

Years ago I made a cardboard gizmo using a cylindrical tube from a roll or spool off something that just fit the outer diameter of my old 1960s vintage mechanical stop watch. This was in a pre-LED era, so I used a small neon bulb and a current limiting resistor mounted under a flat mat board cover that closed one end of the tube. The other end was placed over the watch and taped in place. There is about a quarter inch hole in the cover that allows looking inside, but seriously limits any light coming out. It plugs in to a wall receptacle via some very fine, flexible two conductor cord (likely making the electrical code folks shudder!)

Were I making it today (or using it enough to justify tinkering with it) I would probably use a small battery holder on the outside and an LED of some sort.




You could do something similar using a box or tube of appropriate shape and size.

(And it appears the stopwatch may have stopped permanently, so maybe a modernization is in order! :confused: )

 

[dpurdy]

I kind of think you should be able to see it. Perhaps it is dirty and you should wash the face with dish soap. You can also buy a bottle of glow in the dark paint and reinforce the glow. I have done that to an old timer.
Dennis