CPE-2 film processor

[IanCC]

Hello all,

I have the CPE-2 film processor and was having problems with temperature control. So, like I knew what I was doing! Which I obviously didn’t I opened up the control box and found that a tiny plastic pin was used to balance the thermostat control, and it had shifted sideways. With a pair of tweezers I tried to straighten it and dislodged it altogether. In trying to pick it up again, it flew from the tweezers to the nether regions of my darkroom never to be found or seen again.

Bottom Line, does anybody know where I can find to buy such a minute but essential part of a piece of such expensive equipment? I have provided a photograph of the little critter if anyone is interested or can help me.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Photrio.

Contact the Darkroom Doctor, Dave Smith directly or through FreeStyle, a Photrio supporter, https://www.freestylephoto.com/black-and-white-darkroom-practice-with

 

[IanCC]

Hello, thanks for that info’ I have made contact via email.

Has anyone on the forum had experience with the Jobo CPE-2 processor, and in particular maintaining a consistent temperature, and rotation speed for C-41 developing?

 

[Joel_L]

I have had a CPE-2 for many years to process B&W, C41, and E6. No issues with temperature control or rotation speed. Before I modified mine ( PID temperature controller ), it worked well enough. Just note that the temperature on the knob will be off from the actual temperature. You will learn where the proper setting is.

 

[IanCC]

Thanks for response Joel_L, which model PID temperature controller did you use, was it relatively easy to set up, and was it worth it in terms of greater control of temperature consistency?

 

[koraks]

Hello, thanks for that info’ I have made contact via email.

Has anyone on the forum had experience with the Jobo CPE-2 processor, and in particular maintaining a consistent temperature, and rotation speed for C-41 developing?

I had a leftover aquarium pump that I put in mine to circulate the water in the bath. This helps to keep everything in there at the same temperature.
It's a no-fuss, simple system. Dial in temperature, wait until the developer has hit the required temp and then process. I use the fast rotational speed and do a pre-rinse for C41. I find the pre-rinse helps against flow marks on sheet film and 120 roll film; with 35mm it's not really necessary. Opinions and experiences vary wildly; whereas I need the prebath on 120 and sheet film, some others find exactly the opposite. Just try it out and do what works for you. Start without a prebath, and only add one if it's needed.

I don't see the need for a new temperature control; the old-fashioned thermostat in the Jobo is plenty stable enough for color processing.

 

[Photomultiplier]

I use a sous vide stick in my CPE-2, gives variations below +/-0.1°C and a nice recirculation with no hot or cool spots.
This removed all my worries. The digital setpoint entry makes everything extremely repeatable.

 

[Joel_L]

Ah yes, forgot, I added an aquarium pump also, that is probably the best mod to do. Adding a pid controller requires a bit of hacking.

This shows my pid controller and where I stuck my pump,

Hacked my CPE2 Plus

I got a wild hair to modify my CPE2 Plus. Not that it was terrible but the mechanical thermostat would dwell a couple to few degrees. I decide to try and shoehorn a digital temperature controller into it. I had to think about it a bit because it it a one way ride. After collecting all the bits...

www.photrio.com

I've since replaced it with this one,

I had to add a 12V power supply to make it work.

Is it worth it?????? I just like being able to set the temperature I want and be done with it. There is a one time calibration to do ( set the offset ).

 

[IanCC]

Thanks all, l like the Sous Vide idea, and have tried it with my latest C41 session. Worked a treat. However, I would like to have the whole thing more compact as it was before I screwed up!
A bit of searching online led me to a low cost thermostat that I think I can fit, without that silly little balance pin, (who designed it?). The thermostat is here: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/thermostatic-switches/7334710
I’ll let you know how I get on.

 

[Kilgallb]

Hmm, maybe you could run the sous vida machine in a separate tank and run supply and return lines to the CPE2 tank.