Robin Guymer
Allowing Ads
It has taken me a while to realise just how handy a foot switch for the Enlarger Timer would be. I was just going to adapt a foot switch from the electronics shop when I figured it needed to have two functions. First it needed to be in a fixed On state so the Timer could be used normally. Second it had to work as a momentary foot switch to start the Timer in Timer mode or turn the Timer on/off in manual focus mode. I had a few circuit breakers from an old switchboard in the junk box and adapted these to a peddle operated foot switch.
WARNING - Only do this if you know what you are doing with electrical wiring and can use a multimeter to check active circuits. Get your electrician to check it out for you.
The Momentary upright switch has a perspex stopper screwed to it so the switch cannot click into a fixed On state. The Constant power switch is also located such that it prevents the upper peddle from pressing any further on the Momentary switch as an added precautionary stopper. The foam in the hinge acts as a spring to keep the peddle above the Momentary switch. I have used a short power lead and opened this up in the middle to extract the Active wire. This then runs in and out of the Momentary switch and an extra wire runs in and out of the Constant switch bypassing the Momentary switch.
The foot switch provides power to the Enlarger Timer which then supplies power to the Enlarger transformer. To use as a Momentary Foot Switch the Constant power switch is Off - Then with the Enlarger Timer press down either the Focus button, or set the Time and press down the Timer button - when the Foot Switch is pressed the Enlarger comes on either to focus or to run down the time on your print. Or turn on the Constant power switch and just use the Enlarger Timer as normal. The Constant Power switch can be turned on or off by foot to save bending down.
Use lots of quality insulation tape to cover the connections and secure all the wiring. Enjoy and stay safe.
WARNING - Only do this if you know what you are doing with electrical wiring and can use a multimeter to check active circuits. Get your electrician to check it out for you.
The Momentary upright switch has a perspex stopper screwed to it so the switch cannot click into a fixed On state. The Constant power switch is also located such that it prevents the upper peddle from pressing any further on the Momentary switch as an added precautionary stopper. The foam in the hinge acts as a spring to keep the peddle above the Momentary switch. I have used a short power lead and opened this up in the middle to extract the Active wire. This then runs in and out of the Momentary switch and an extra wire runs in and out of the Constant switch bypassing the Momentary switch.
The foot switch provides power to the Enlarger Timer which then supplies power to the Enlarger transformer. To use as a Momentary Foot Switch the Constant power switch is Off - Then with the Enlarger Timer press down either the Focus button, or set the Time and press down the Timer button - when the Foot Switch is pressed the Enlarger comes on either to focus or to run down the time on your print. Or turn on the Constant power switch and just use the Enlarger Timer as normal. The Constant Power switch can be turned on or off by foot to save bending down.
Use lots of quality insulation tape to cover the connections and secure all the wiring. Enjoy and stay safe.