De Vere 504 Dichromat (Unhappy face)

[buggleskelly]

Hi, I just bought a nice Devere "wit all de trimmins", however, there's no Timer. When I turn the enlarger on and the focus switch at the transtab, the fan works, but there's no light, I jut took delivery of some now lamps of the correct type, and still nothing. Does this enlarger need the De Vere timer to work or is there a fault somewhere?
I've used both Cathomag, and Varicon heads before but this is the first time I've had my own colour head, as I much prefer condenser enlargers.
can anyone help?

 

[Luis-F-S]

My De Vere 5108 came with the timer and I subsequently bought the cord to use a non-DeVere timer with it. Work great! Why not contact Odyssey Sales and have them help you trouble shoot it? I believe it makes a difference as to whether it's a one or two bulb head. If two, I would change the bulbs together and make sure they're the same brand, batch, age, etc.

http://www.odyssey-sales.co.uk/service.htm

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have had issues with the wiring to the lamp on my single globe colour head. In short I needed to scrape the pins to get a good connection then re-insert the pins into the globe. Over time I have found this to be an issue with various enlargers, but more so with my DeVere 504.

Another time I really couldn't figure out what was wrong, I had no power to the plug that the globe goes into, so I bought a new plug from an electrical radio parts type of outfit, bingo.

The white covered cable apparently goes off song in some cases, which happened to be my case and one other enlarger, not a DeVere, quite some years ago.

Do a search for a Gu5.3 socket replacement, I think you may find your problem there.

Dead Link Removed

Mick.

 

[buggleskelly]

Just been to Maplins and bought a GU5-3 lampholder, and tomorrow I'll have a fettle. If that does not do the job, I'll contact Odyssey re the cable. Thanks to Mick and Luis.

 

[buggleskelly]

Anyone know how to get into a 504 Dichro head to replace the lamp plug unit without undoing too many screws? It's in a really awkward place (of course). Does the Back panel come off easily? do I have to go in through the bottom plate?
I've just been fiddling around for an hour to no avail, If there's an easy wayto get in there, I'd be grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction.

 

[buggleskelly]

OK, I figured it out! I removed a side panel, and using a small screwdriver I replaced the lamp holder, but it still doesn't fire up, except for the fan which works smoothly. Will this thing only work with a timer or can anyone suggest anything else?
Living in hope

 

[Luis-F-S]

Must be one of the older heads, on the new ones the top panel just opens to reveal the bulbs. There is a plug you use when the timer is not plugged in. Have you read the owner's manual? L

 

[buggleskelly]

Yes, Luis, I think it's a Mk111, single lamp. I dont have the manual yet, I've had a few copies of it in my time as I've had Varicons and Cathomags, so I never looked at the stuff relating to Colour or stabilisers etc. I'm going to ordder a Universal timer or maybe a cable for my existing Bauerle timer which I like.
I got the 504 as a fairly good deal with a couple of Componons and nikkors, and a 4 blade easel etc, sO I don't mind spending a bit of money on it.
Harry

 

[buggleskelly]

DEVELOPMENTS!!
I bought a De Vere electonic timer and plugged it in, SUCCESS!! sort of the light comes on, but i can't get it to do timed exposures, the lamp is either on or it isn't, Am I doing something wrong? Help!

 

[buggleskelly]

It's working!! I took the timer apart, sprayed the timer press switch, and it's fine!
I'll shut up now.

 

[Luis-F-S]

It's working!! I took the timer apart, sprayed the timer press switch, and it's fine!

Best enlargers made IMHO!

 

[buggleskelly]

I bought a De Vere timer, from a UK supplier, not Odyssey,and it didn't work, at first, only after a spray with electric contact cleaner did it give me timed exposures, However It stops working , and I have to spray it again, obviously not an ideal situation, however i am going to replace the switch with a generic push for on switch from Maplins for a £ or 2, as it's cheaper than sending it back.
I had a reply to an email I sent to Odyssey asking about the 504 dichromat, and they told me that particular model does need a timer to work.
I agree with you Luis,, I've worked with and owned a few De Veres, and, once properly aligned, which is what i did today, they are unbeatable! I've packed my little Durst away for a while to get used to the Dichromat head. I'm using white light, and below the lens filters to get the grades, as I cant be bothered with the uncertainty of using the enlarger dichroics.

 

[buggleskelly]

I bought a De Vere timer, from a UK supplier, not Odyssey,and it didn't work, at first, only after a spray with electric contact cleaner did it give me timed exposures, However It stops working , and I have to spray it again, obviously not an ideal situation, however i am going to replace the switch with a generic push for on switch from Maplins for a £ or 2, as it's cheaper than sending it back.
I had a reply to an email I sent to Odyssey asking about the 504 dichromat, and they told me that particular model does need a timer to work.
I agree with you Luis,, I've worked with and owned a few De Veres, and, once properly aligned, which is what i did today, they are unbeatable! I've packed my little Durst away for a while to get used to the Dichromat head. I'm using white light, and below the lens filters to get the grades, as I cant be bothered with the uncertainty of using the enlarger dichroics.

 

[AgX]

...I cant be bothered with the uncertainty of using the enlarger dichroics.

What uncertainty?
There are the Agfa and the Kodak types of substractive enlarger-filter gradation.
For both types are conversion lists to contrast grades of VC-papers.