Controlling developer temp in trays

[andy-b-photo]

Just curious about how you all control (or don't) the temperature of paper developer in trays. I sometimes use another tray with water (warm in the winter, cold in summer) to try to keep my developer at ~70F. My California basement darkroom can be cool in the winter and I noticed my chemicals get down to ~62F if left alone (this became really apparent when I recently tried Ansco 130 for the first time). I don't mind the water bath, but something easier and less distracting would be nice.
Thanks
Andy

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Any chance to heat the entire darkroom and get it up to temperature about an hour before your printing session starts. I wouldn't want to work in 62F even if the developer is at 70F.

 

[MaximusM3]

Like Ralph has suggested, I usually let trays get to 68-70 by warming the room an hour or so before a session. Having said that, I have been in a rush at times and worked with trays at 60 degrees (with Moersch ECO4812 or SE6, Cathecol) and aside from slightly longer developing times, have noticed no difference.

 

[holmburgers]

Here's an older thread on the topic -> (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

If I were designing something, I'd create a hollow, metal platform of stainless steel that could be easily filled/dumped with temperature controlled water. This platform would be big enough to accomodate your tray(s) and you could regulate the temperature by adding cooler or warmer water (metal trays preferred). Another option would be a hot plate of sorts, like I mentioned in the above thread, last post. (I think I have a gift of killing threads...)

I agree that water baths are a pain. My tray floats like a toy boat in any waterbath I make.

 

[MattKing]

And another similar thread, with my favourite APUG thread title of all time :

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

 

[holmburgers]

Nice, the pig thing looks good. That thread is hilarious.

This is exactly what I was talking about, finally found a picture... -> http://www.etsy.com/listing/24175492/vintage-very-retro-thermo-tray

 

[brian steinberger]

I've found heating pads at wal-mart that work great, similar to the pig heaters above. You'll have to run some tests to find the right heat setting, taking into account the ambient temperature in your darkroom.

 

[eclarke]

And another similar thread, with my favourite APUG thread title of all time :

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

It is funny, but 3 of us in my area bought these pig warmers and they are the best warmers for trays I've seen. They beat water bath 10 to 1. Murray also had a thread on wicked ice cleats which I also bought, they're terrific. Murray Minchin knows his stuff...EC

 

[BetterSense]

I didn't know people even cared about, or controlled paper developer temperature. The only time I have given it a thought is in the winter when I noticed that it took longer for prints to fully develop.

 

[eclarke]

I've found heating pads at wal-mart that work great, similar to the pig heaters above. You'll have to run some tests to find the right heat setting, taking into account the ambient temperature in your darkroom.

I used heating pads before I bought my pig warmer, set it once and it's kept even temperature ever since!!..EC

 

[andy-b-photo]

Thanks

Thanks all for the commentary -- pig warmers, who knew? Something like that, waterproof, thermostat controlled pad would be good. The basement is too big to heat and 62F is not bad (it's winter in the Bay Area). Water baths continue for the time being.

I also never worried about temp, but 130 seems to be picky about it and I would like to keep time and results consistent.

Maybe a small nuclear reator in a submersible container?

Thanks again

 

[dpurdy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/350-WATT-TITANI...507?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5642a8c253
I bought one very similar to this and I love it. I can either keep it in the developer or in a water bath outside the developer. I also use it to warm my film developer tank.
dennis

 

[andy-b-photo]

Thanks dpurdy, this is perfect, and fairly cheap, too. Appreciate the help.

 

[dpurdy]

The one I got has a temp control box that does not submerge. I see most of those on ebay have the temp control dial on the end of the heater, I don't think that would work. Make sure you get one that the heater part submerges completely and the temp control box stays out.
Dennis

 

[Laurent]

I'm very happy with a Kaiser dish warmer, and find I have better control now that I check the temperature (24°C is fine for me) and always use fresh baths...

 

[jglass]

You folks in cold climates just slay me. Imagine, needing to warm chemistry! How odd!

I have the opposite problem here in Hel . . . I mean Texas. (73 F. here right now! and it's just gonna get warmer.

Can someone who has a pig warmer confirm what was said in that thread: they actually cool also?