De Vere 203 dichroic, anyone replaced stock fan with a 'silent' one?

Hi there,
wonder if anyone has done this - and wonder which fan you replaced the original with and any issues? Many thanks, Will

De Vere use common industrial fans, you could get a new one from RScomponents, just check the size and voltage.

Ian

Many thanks Ian. Best Will

I looked into this quite a bit when restoring my 507 dichroic enlarger. In the end I've decided to grin and bear it. If I want a silent head I'll opt for a condenser setup. Though, after thoroughly cleaning the fan units, they were quieter, but unfortunately the bearings for one unit is on the way out.

Following from Ian's advice, you will also need to consider the flow rate of the unit. I came across many fan units simply did not have sufficient CFM.

De Vere used a French manufacturer called Etri for their fan units. You can get like for like replacements, but be prepared for both the cost and time delay. The supplier I was in touch with noted a 12 week turnaround, due to Etri's manufacturing cycle!

To get you going, see attached the fan unit for a MK1 'bread bin' head (British voltage).



Hopefully you'll never need to replace the bearings for the lens and negative runner assemblies, otherwise you'll need a machinist and some deep pockets! It's doubly painful if you have a floor standing unit with a drop table.(In this rare instance having it serviced by Odyssey may be worthwhile.)

I had a crackpot idea of writing a self service manual/restoration guide for De Vere enlargers. If anyone thinks such a document is worth putting out there let me know.

Many thanks for info - really handy to have the spec.
Cheers
Will

No worries Will, hopefully it will help others in a similar position. I would recommend that you still visually inspect your fan unit to ensure it's the same make and model for your head. If it's anything like mine, you will need to unbolt the fan from the head main body to do so.

You should see the serial number on the underside of the fan unit. Take it as an opportunity to inspect your unit for any other wear and tear.

Wilco, many thanks

Hello De Vere users! I have a simple question and though I would write it here.
When inserting the lens in the lens panel of your De Vere, on what side do you insert the lens?
The concave side ( as in the first image ) or into the other side ( second image) ?

RR10 said:

Hello De Vere users! I have a simple question and though I would write it here.
When inserting the lens in the lens panel of your De Vere, on what side do you insert the lens?
The concave side ( as in the first image ) or into the other side ( second image) ?

Click to expand...

What focal length is it? I'd probably use the recessed side if it's under 80mm.

On my 105mm and 150mm lenses I have the flat type plate like what you have shown, both have the lens attached on the flat side with the retaining ring sitting inside the recessed portion.

The plate for a 50mm lens is quite recessed, far more than what is shown here; the 50mm lens sits inside the recessed part.

Mick.

@Mick Fagan - Are you sure that you aren't referring to the boards for the 504 & bigger machines? The recessed board for the 203 is meant for 28-35mm lenses for 1/2 frame etc - everything else in the 50-105 range goes on the flat board.

Ooops, Lachlan you are right I am referring to the 504 not the 203.

Mick.

Thanks a lot for your replies. I use that lens panel that I showed in the photo for 50mm-105mm lenses on a De Vere 203.
Just to double check, according to what you are saying, the one below is the correct side on where the lens should seat.
Cheers!

RR10 said:

Thanks a lot for your replies. I use that lens panel that I showed in the photo for 50mm-105mm lenses on a De Vere 203.
Just to double check, according to what you are saying, the one below is the correct side on where the lens should seat.
Cheers!

Click to expand...

For 50-80mm, that's what I do - longer, I use the other side. I'd need to check the manual to see if there's any instruction as to the 'correct' way round.

thanks Lachlan, It'd be great to know!

@RR10 - The manual implies that the lens should go in as shown in your picture - which is fine, unless you want to put a lens that's too fat for the recess on the enlarger (if in doubt, assume that De Vere used the dimensions of Rodenstock lenses for working out any clearances etc).

Lachlan Young said:

@RR10 - The manual implies that the lens should go in as shown in your picture - which is fine, unless you want to put a lens that's too fat for the recess on the enlarger (if in doubt, assume that De Vere used the dimensions of Rodenstock lenses for working out any clearances etc).

Click to expand...

Great to know! Thanks a lot @Lachlan Young

De Vere used a French manufacturer called Etri for their fan units. You can get like for like replacements, but be prepared for both the cost and time delay. The supplier I was in touch with noted a 12 week turnaround, due to Etri's manufacturing cycle!

To get you going, see attached the fan unit for a MK1 'bread bin' head (British voltage).

View attachment 249752

Hopefully you'll never need to replace the bearings for the lens and negative runner assemblies, otherwise you'll need a machinist and some deep pockets! It's doubly painful if you have a floor standing unit with a drop table.(In this rare instance having it serviced by Odyssey may be worthwhile.)

I had a crackpot idea of writing a self service manual/restoration guide for De Vere enlargers. If anyone thinks such a document is worth putting out there let me know.

Click to expand...

I've found these on the auction site, both new and used!

Hi guys, I have another question regarding De Vere enlargers and wonder if any of you had the answer.
I always wonder why Durst enlargers for example come with Anti Newton glasses on their negative holders while with De Vere there seem to be no need for a glass on the negative holder.

I did use a Durst once without the glass on the negative holder and did get Newton Rings indeed.
Never get them with the De Vere.
Why is that?

Thanks a lot!

RR10 said:

Hi guys, I have another question regarding De Vere enlargers and wonder if any of you had the answer.
I always wonder why Durst enlargers for example come with Anti Newton glasses on their negative holders while with De Vere there seem to be no need for a glass on the negative holder.

I did use a Durst once without the glass on the negative holder and did get Newton Rings indeed.
Never get them with the De Vere.
Why is that?

Thanks a lot!

Click to expand...

The person with the definitive answer will be John Boyce at Odyssey De Vere. It's only the 203 that doesn't offer glass carrier inserts - the 504 & up all have anti-Newton & regular glass available. That said, no glass means less dust spotting & if the enlarger head/ chassis are appropriately heat sinked/ cooled, if you aren't dealing with a 5x7"+ piece of film & your light source isn't tickling 1000w+, there's not really any great need for glass in the carrier.