Enlarger Not Working - HELP!

Do you think it is within the plug or cord?

FIRST rule out a short or break within the wire or plug. If that is it, you can replace it as mentioned above.
However, sometimes the blades just aren't making a good connection, and can be spread slightly so they make better contact.

Again, rule out a short or break first!

what I don't understand is if it's the plug, then it would cut in and out when you plugged it into the outlet directly, not just when you tried going through the timer. changing a plug (polarised or grounded) is very simple.

can you post a picture of the plug ?

canuhead said:

what I don't understand is if it's the plug, then it would cut in and out when you plugged it into the outlet directly, not just when you tried going through the timer. changing a plug (polarised or grounded) is very simple.

can you post a picture of the plug ?

Click to expand...

That's not always true, and would be more inline with the wires in the cord meeting the plug. But this sounds like the actual plugs ends. Odd manufacturing variances might mean the wall outlet just had more surface area to get a connection than the timer(s), and/or the plug from the cord has shorter leads that just cannot reach the internals of the timer, or the timers (both the same model) were sourced with parts that had less contact area that is deeper inside.
The fact it works when wigged on both timers is good news.
$3 fix with a new generic plug, and is almost a certain fix after reading all these posts.
The post about trying an extension cord to the wall and then to the timer would prove this. If that doesn't work with the timer, then try the extension cord with one of the lights that did work. Then if that Doesn't work, you know the outlets on the timer are just weird, and you just open them up and put in a new outlet there....or even just use a plier to bend the metal tabs outwards.

Wow you guys are great! I saw a YouTube video on replacing a plug and think that even I can do it. I'll try the pliers first as I think this is just a mechanical issue with the plug arising from years of use. It is a standard 3-pronged plug.

Like I said, make sure you rule out a short/internal break.
I've never needed pliers to bend the blades - just gently pry with my fingers. It doesn't need to bend much (and too much can be a problem too).

This is probably getting too detailed, but some receptacles only have a wiping contact on one side of the internal slot. If you look into the slot, you may be able to determine if this is so, and which side it's on. Given that, I might put just a slight curve in the plug blades such that the middle of the curve is toward the slot contacts. (But I freely admit these are the anal ramblings of an olde farte engineer/tinkerer type.! )

I have good news. I fixed the problem by playing with the plug until it made a solid continual connection via an extension cord and then hid everything so that it would avoid human contact. I am using my second timer that I purchased as a result of this fiasco also, on the wet side and actually did a real darkroom session instead of playing with equipment. All is well with the world. Hopefully it will last this way for another 30 years (Will there still be chemicals and paper available? Will I still be available?) Thanks so much for the great help from everyone.

Glad to hear you got it working

the cavemen fear of electricity I have forces me to suggest you fix the short/connection problem and avoid safety issues - but I'm just paranoid that way, please excuse!