Fine tuning my Jobo CPE2 setup - need some tips/info

I a getting my CPE2 setup for a convenient workflow and need some advice. I know some seem like basic questions and I have searched for the answers in the Jobo docs without luck.

First, a tip of my own - I just added a Sousvide cooker to the setup, and what a difference! I had to be careful to choose one that had a low (15 degrees C) starting point. The problem is I have to keep the tempering tube very full or the cooker will shut off due to a “low water anomaly”. This is not really a problem. The unit heats very quickly and even has a WiFi connection to monitor temp away from the unit. And the water circulator really evens the temp throughout the unit . I just leave the jobo heater at the lowest setting/off while processing.

Ok, now questions - how is the red bottle holder frame supposed to mount to the base? It has a hole for a pin on the left end that mates to a pin on the base, but does it mount under or rest on top of the bosses/nubs along the front or right side of the base? I find resting it on top it just floats around and when I try to put it under these nubs it twists the frame a bit. It has screw holes in the two front nubs - but the seems to stress and cracked the flimsy frame. When bottles/beakers are only partially full, they float the frame out of place easily. A picture of how this goes together would be greatly appreciated!

Also I inherited a few bottles and beakers the are not clearly marked - I rinsed these out with some sodium carbonate. Am I pretty safe in using these not knowing what was in them before ( and I may use developer in a bottle previously used for fixer)?

And, I am using the standard times for inversion developing after a 5 minute prewash - negs seem ok, but some quick tests with a Mamiya 7 and very contrasty lenses semi maybe overly dense. I assume I may need to reduce development about 10%. Any tips there?

Finally, a question regarding the modular tanks and capacities. Do you add the two capacities printed on the tanks or do you use the larger capacity ( on the extension model)? For example I have a 1520 and 1530- the first has a capacity listed of 240 ml and the 1530 lists 330. I assume that I should use 570ml, no?
many thanks

You need the roller tank support with the wheels. Wheels in for smaller tanks; wheels pulled off and inserted leaning out for larger tanks and drums.

On my CPE2 the red bottle holder goes under the extrusions on the front with a set of pins coming from the top holding the red holder in place. The far right has the knob over the red holder keeping it down. The rear knob on the far right is flush (sort of) with the red holder.

You will need to have the water level right up to the red plastic holder, in fact high enough that when the film tank is in position, the underside of the tank is in the water. Approximately covering at least half of the white tank rollers one can see in your picture.

As for having an extra water heater, I don't believe this is necessarily a good thing. The Jobo thermostat arrangement is really accurate once you calibrate the setting you choose. In other words, set the unit to 20ºC and see with an accurate thermometer just where the water temperature is at; adjust accordingly and you are set.

In general, if the bottles and beakers have been rinsed/cleaned reasonably, then you can mix and match with impunity. I've been doing that for around 30 years with E6, C41, RA4 and various B&W developers.

As for your volumes, yep, that is correct, although I generally up slightly. I use 250ml instead of 240ml and when I'm joining the extension core to the 1520 tank I use 600ml. Using the 1510 tank (140) and the 1530 extension creates the 1540 unit, which uses 470ml in total, I up it to 500ml.

The CPE2/CPE2 Plus have an upper limit of 600ml. This can catch you out using more dilute developers and bigger tank combinations. It just means running fewer films than the tank capacity.

Sirius Glass said:

You need the roller tank support with the wheels. Wheels in for smaller tanks; wheels pulled off and inserted leaning out for larger tanks and drums.
View attachment 301093

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I do have those set up the way the manual indicates - I’ll double check - thanks

Mick Fagan said:

On my CPE2 the red bottle holder goes under the extrusions on the front with a set of pins coming from the top holding the red holder in place. The far right has the knob over the red holder keeping it down. The rear knob on the far right is flush (sort of) with the red holder.

You will need to have the water level right up to the red plastic holder, in fact high enough that when the film tank is in position, the underside of the tank is in the water. Approximately covering at least half of the white tank rollers one can see in your picture.

As for having an extra water heater, I don't believe this is necessarily a good thing. The Jobo thermostat arrangement is really accurate once you calibrate the setting you choose. In other words, set the unit to 20ºC and see with an accurate thermometer just where the water temperature is at; adjust accordingly and you are set.

In general, if the bottles and beakers have been rinsed/cleaned reasonably, then you can mix and match with impunity. I've been doing that for around 30 years with E6, C41, RA4 and various B&W developers.

As for your volumes, yep, that is correct, although I generally up slightly. I use 250ml instead of 240ml and when I'm joining the extension core to the 1520 tank I use 600ml. Using the 1510 tank (140) and the 1530 extension creates the 1540 unit, which uses 470ml in total, I up it to 500ml.

Click to expand...

thanks - that is very helpful. i need some pins for those front nubs I see.

Also, I don’t see any problem with the extra heater - it is very quick to come up to temp and the circukation has to be good for even temps.

thanks!

grahamp said:

The CPE2/CPE2 Plus have an upper limit of 600ml. This can catch you out using more dilute developers and bigger tank combinations. It just means running fewer films than the tank capacity.

Click to expand...

yes I realize I need to keep an eye on that - I think I am good with my existing tanks.

thanks!

I added a submersible aquarium pump to mine. Keeps the water moving. Temperature control was improved.

The pumps used for small water features also work. I have one I use in the space at the end of my CPE2+. It certainly speeds up temperature stabilization.

I have a couple more questions for you experts —- why do I see the Multitank 5’s list as accepting 6 rolls 120 ( 3 x 2502 reels) and volumes are sometimes listed as 640ml and at other times it says 730ml for 6 rolls? ( see pics) maybe there were problems using only 640ml and they upped it? If it takes 730ml, then I think it exceeds my CPE2 capacity.

And to confuse it more - anyone know what these "Piolet" branded tanks are ( see last pic with made in China label) ? They are on ebay for about half price of the Jobo.

And finally - what tank will hold 2 x 2502 reels in 120 configuration? I’d like to be able to develop at least 4 rolls if not 6.

Thanks!

Bumping this to see if anyone can provide info/opinions on the Multitank 5 options above.

The choice of combinations depends on how many rolls of film will you process at a time.

From a system control loop standpoint, the two heating systems will work in harmony to maintain the temperature at the highest set point of the two.

I wish I had an answer to that minimum processing volume discrepancy. If no one chimes in, the answer may be in the Jobo newsletters that are available in pdf on internet.

Thanks- I’ll try to find the newsletters of there are no more ideas!

The 120 film capacities sited I believe are assuming two films on one reel. There should be a red tab on the reel to keep them from overlapping.