Durst M605 Electronic

[federicoduenas]

Hello everyone. I just got an M605 with the color Electronic head. The information about it is almost non-existent, and the original manual doesn't include any information about the Electronic version. My question is, does anyone have any information about the power supply requirement to make it work, or any experience about its circuits to make it work on 110v? My bulb seems new, but it doesn't turn on the that voltage. Thanks.

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio!
First, check if the head is rated for 110V. If not, use a step-up transformer - but I expect it's intended for 110V operation and that voltage 'regulation' down to the probably ca. 100V is accomplished by a series dropping resistor (the grey box above the screw connectors).

I'd start by measuring continuity of the wiring and inspecting the bulb socket for loose/bad connections and corrosion. Especially the latter is often a concern. Measure the resistor to verify it shows a sensible resistance; I'd expect this to be a few ohms or so. The diode should measure ca. 0.7 forward voltage when measured with a multimeter in its diode measurement setting. The fuse looks OK, but check continuity. Measure the resistance between both leads of the blue round part (which is likely a MOV/varistor); without the bulb installed, this should be very high (several dozens of kOhms or more).

Also measure the bulb for continuity to ensure you're not working with a broken bulb.

The next step would be to measure the voltage on the socket with the enlarger plugged in, but without a bulb. You should measure your grid voltage now. If so, unplug the enlarger, install a bulb and try again.

If your enlarger is intended for 230V and you're attempting to use it with 110V, use a step-down transformer. Alternatively, a thyristor dimmer circuit may work as well and is usually a cheaper solution, but they generally blow at some point and may damage the rudimentary power supply of the enlarger (and it'll blow the bulb). If you don't want to risk this, use a step down transformer, which is generally the most reliable approach. Or find an enlarger + bulb rated for your grid voltage.

 

[ic-racer]

It is hard to make any comment without knowing what you have. Maybe a picture.

When you mention "electronic" it a Durst Optimo CL system? Or maybe a Durst Pictochorm system? I do have a service manual for the Pictochrom, but, unfortunately, Durst provided all the schematics separately and I don't have those.

 

[federicoduenas]

Welcome to Photrio!
First, check if the head is rated for 110V. If not, use a step-up transformer - but I expect it's intended for 110V operation and that voltage 'regulation' down to the probably ca. 100V is accomplished by a series dropping resistor (the grey box above the screw connectors).

I'd start by measuring continuity of the wiring and inspecting the bulb socket for loose/bad connections and corrosion. Especially the latter is often a concern. Measure the resistor to verify it shows a sensible resistance; I'd expect this to be a few ohms or so. The diode should measure ca. 0.7 forward voltage when measured with a multimeter in its diode measurement setting. The fuse looks OK, but check continuity. Measure the resistance between both leads of the blue round part (which is likely a MOV/varistor); without the bulb installed, this should be very high (several dozens of kOhms or more).

Also measure the bulb for continuity to ensure you're not working with a broken bulb.

The next step would be to measure the voltage on the socket with the enlarger plugged in, but without a bulb. You should measure your grid voltage now. If so, unplug the enlarger, install a bulb and try again.

If your enlarger is intended for 230V and you're attempting to use it with 110V, use a step-down transformer. Alternatively, a thyristor dimmer circuit may work as well and is usually a cheaper solution, but they generally blow at some point and may damage the rudimentary power supply of the enlarger (and it'll blow the bulb). If you don't want to risk this, use a step down transformer, which is generally the most reliable approach. Or find an enlarger + bulb rated for your grid voltage.

Thanks for your reply. After checking different things I ended up confirming everything is fine and I just had a broken bulb. There is almost no information about this version of the M605, but its head is 110V indeed and it uses an ESJ 82v 85w bulb. It is the same old M605, just doesn't require the transformer.

 

[federicoduenas]

It is hard to make any comment without knowing what you have. Maybe a picture.

When you mention "electronic" it a Durst Optimo CL system? Or maybe a Durst Pictochorm system? I do have a service manual for the Pictochrom, but, unfortunately, Durst provided all the schematics separately and I don't have those.

View attachment 364472


View attachment 364473

Hi, thanks for writing. It is a M605 Electronic, meaning that it doesn't require the transformer. That aside, everything is the same as the standard model.

 

[koraks]

I'm glad a simple bulb replacement fixed your problem!
Indeed, we don't see these heads too often. Virtually all of them are run off a transformer and/or stabilized power supply.

 

[ic-racer]

Hi, thanks for writing. It is a M605 Electronic, meaning that it doesn't require the transformer. That aside, everything is the same as the standard model.

How about that, "Electronic" right on the front!

Glad you got it running again!