Exposure times of some enlargers are way up??

[aca]

Hello,

My latest quesiton was about a piece of broken bulb / lamp still sitting in the cracked-ceramic-holder (I think I have found a donate unit on a local market, waiting for it to arrive).
Last weekend I notice another problem, the exposure times on one of the enlargers is way up compare to the other enlargers. My questions; what could be the cause and how can i fix this?
I thought a bulb/lamp (halogen) is good or broken? Can it also be less powerfull??
Could it be a faulty transformer??

Hope I don't need to find another unit

 

[winger]

Last weekend I notice another problem, the exposure times on one of the enlargers is way up compare to the other enlargers. My questions; what could be the cause and how can i fix this?

If the enlarger has a filter drawer, check that it doesn't have an extra filter in it. (yes, BTDT)
It is possible for a lamp to age differently than the others, but they'll usually blow instead of getting less bright.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Depends on the condenser or diffuser, the type of bulb, age of the bulb, bulb voltage, ...

 

[George Nova Scotia]

A lot of halogen bulbs use a common socket. You could have the wrong bulb in place. You need to know the voltage and wattage. There should be a three letter code for the bulb.

 

[aca]

Tx again,

I am going to the darkroom this evening and will check the drawer.

@George Nova Scotia : where can i find the 3 letter code? on the socket??

@Sirius Glass, the condenser, do you mean this condensing lens? and what should I do with these??


I have this bulb to use:

 

[Sirius Glass]

@Sirius Glass, the condenser, do you mean this condensing lens? and what should I do with these??

Leave the condenser alone, it could change the exposure time. Check to see if you have the right bulb in the enlarger.

 

[aca]

Leave the condenser alone, it could change the exposure time. Check to see if you have the right bulb in the enlarger.

Ok, I will leave the condenser alone. How do I check if I have the right bulb?? George said something about a 3 letter code, where on the unit/ enlarger can I find this code??

In another thread I read a halogen lamp will lose his power gradually. I need to buy a brand new bulb to be sure and check this. There are 3 bulbs in package, but I am not sure if these are used "and not strong enough anymore"

I will keep you up to date

 

[MattKing]

Check as well to be sure that the lens is both clean (both top and bottom) and free of haze. Also check that the aperture is working properly - not stuck at a smaller opening.

 

[aca]

Ok, just got back from the darkroom and did a couple of checks, but not happy with the results. Now I am home again I realize I test with the color buttons to get the contrasts and not with physical filters. Could the color unit be a bit off with the filter grades???