Drat and double drat !!!

TPPhotog · Apr 16, 2005

Just as I was about to start printning the lamo blew on my Meopta Opemus 5a Enlarger with colour head.

When I went to change the lamp the replacement blew and I found that the electrical connector that the lamp plugs into has perished. It looks like it was made of that old fired clay type stuff.

Is it possible to obtain a new connector?

Donald Miller · Apr 16, 2005

TPPhotog said:
Just as I was about to start printning the lamo blew on my Meopta Opemus 5a Enlarger with colour head.

When I went to change the lamp the replacement blew and I found that the electrical connector that the lamp plugs into has perished. It looks like it was made of that old fired clay type stuff.

Is it possible to obtain a new connector?

From what you have described, the lamp socket appears to be a procelain pr ceramic material which is used for it's resistance to heat. You should be readily able to find a replacement. I would do a google search to find a replacement socket. Beyond the search you may want to contact Bulbman here in the US because they do also supply sockets for some lamps. They will better equipped to tell the type of lamp that you have ie..bypin, federal mogul etc.

TPPhotog · Apr 16, 2005

Thanks for the info Donald. The fitting is bypin? 2 "wire pins" sticking out of the back of the lamp ... you can see I'm very technical.

Donald Miller · Apr 16, 2005

TPPhotog said:
Thanks for the info Donald. The fitting is bypin? 2 "wire pins" sticking out of the back of the lamp ... you can see I'm very technical.

Yes sounds like a bypin...if you check with Bulbman...gather any information off the lamp and they should be able to help you or to direct to who can help you.

Bob F. · Apr 16, 2005

Maplin have a few types, but you need to know which base type you need: Dead Link Removed and then scroll down a bit...

If you know the lamp type number, you can find the base type that it requires from one of the online suppliers such as Bulbman as referenced by Donald above.

Bob.

TPPhotog · Apr 16, 2005

Thank you again Donald, that should give me plenty to go on.

Bob it's been ages since I use to look at their stuff and I forgot about them, so thank you also.

Ian Grant · Apr 16, 2005

I can see a redundant halogen spotlight on the wall in front of me with just what you need inside

Tony, do you want me to post it tomorrow ? Can probably find another as well as a spare.

Ian

TPPhotog · Apr 16, 2005

Ian your my guardian angel that sounds perfect. My connector just crumbles in my fingers.

Just let me know how much I owe you. Do you still have my Addy or shall I re-PM it?

Thank you very kindly

Tony

Ian Grant · Apr 16, 2005

You can buy me a couple of pints next time I'm passing, as the postage won't be much. I'm assuming the Meopta bulbs are like the Durst's in its own reflector with 2 straight pins. These bulb holders are designed for continuous use in shop lighting and are very robust.

You're lucky my new darkroom heater uses 4 120v 300watt halogen bulbs so gets very hot and bulbs dont last as long.

Still have 3 more 105mm lenses left, one went to the US last week free to an APUG member, who paid the postage costs, so thats 2 good home so far . . .

PM addy again please

Ian

TPPhotog said:
Ian your my guardian angel that sounds perfect. My connector just crumbles in my fingers.

Just let me know how much I owe you. Do you still have my Addy or shall I re-PM it?

Thank you very kindly

Tony

TPPhotog · Apr 16, 2005

Ian,

Yep you have the description spot on, the lamps are A1/231's.

Well I can highly recommend those 105mm lenses, beautifully sharp as can be seen when I load up my Ilford Pan F negs in the beastie.

It's s*ds law that something always goes wrong just when the darkroom is ready and the chemicals are mixed (now safely bottled without air LOL).

OK next time your this way I'll make sure that none of the pub licences have run out and that we don't have to search for a pub that can sell alcohol

Addy on it's way.

Thank you again ... Tony

gainer · Apr 16, 2005

It sounds like you're covered. Before you replace any more lamps, check the line voltage or get someone to do it for you. The nominal 120 volts can be as high as 127 and the power company won't tell you. The life of a lamp is shortened drastically by a 5 volt over voltage.

I gave up trying to get the power company to do anything and made an autotransformer out of an old filament transformer. Reducing the line voltage by roughly the nominal output voltage of the transformer increased the life of my $21 lamps by about 10 times.

Now, if you don't know what a filament transformer is, you are much younger than I. Find someone who does. You can still get them at Radio Shack, but they may not call them filament transformers.

TPPhotog · Apr 17, 2005

gainer said:
.... if you don't know what a filament transformer is, you are much younger than I. Find someone who does. You can still get them at Radio Shack, but they may not call them filament transformers.

Errrrm sounds like maybe just a month or two younger, but many thanks for the info I'm sure my local electrical store will know

Drat and double drat !!!

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