Gravity works print washer: how to maintain flow

I recently got a hold of a 11x14" Gravity Works print washer and I've been trying it out to see how it works.

What I don't understand is, how do I hook it up to get a constant flow?

If I let the siphon hose down it will drain as it fills up so that's counterproductive. I could use the other larger drain to maintain a flow but I don't think I'd be using it for what it was designed for (to quickly empty the tank)? Unless the rate of water going in is what regulates the flow?

If anyone has used this before or has a manual, I'd greatly appreciate it

lauffray said:

I recently got a hold of a 11x14" Gravity Works print washer and I've been trying it out to see how it works.

What I don't understand is, how do I hook it up to get a constant flow?

If I let the siphon hose down it will drain as it fills up so that's counterproductive. I could use the other larger drain to maintain a flow but I don't think I'd be using it for what it was designed for (to quickly empty the tank)? Unless the rate of water going in is what regulates the flow?

If anyone has used this before or has a manual, I'd greatly appreciate it

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Temporarily clamp the drain hose securely with any common household device or even a clothespin. Unclamp when the system is filled with water then adjust the rate of water flow to suit.

It is obviously broken beyond repair, please forward to me for proper disposal. Seriously, look at USPlastics.com for tube clamp. Probably less than a dollar. Bill Barber

there is only a one page sheet of information - no manual.

as nsurit says, the smaller diameter hose has a adjustable hose clamp. you close it to fill the tank. once filled, you open it a bit to allow water to flow out the smaller hose, then slow the water down to allow a small stream from top drain hoses, thus allowing draining at the bottom and top of the tank.

i already have one, so if it doesn't work, yeh, send it to bill!!!
jvo

Thanks guys. I didn't say it doesn't work, only that I'm using it wrong

lauffray said:

Thanks guys. I didn't say it doesn't work, only that I'm using it wrong

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Using something in the wrong manners is easily correctable. Not working can be a bigger problem.

http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/Technical Manuals/Gravity Works AFW45 Film Washer.pdf

This should explain it.

Ronald Moravec said:

http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/Technical Manuals/Gravity Works AFW45 Film Washer.pdf

This should explain it.

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i had a 1 page instruction sheet/thank you letter/purchase info that came with mine, not like what's written here...

this is apparently for a 4x5 washer, mine is ~16 by 20 and these instructions don't sound at all familiar with way mine works or my memory (?) of the original instructions. could be these are particularly to 4x5 with a different design?

i have the same one but mine is an oriental print washer
there are 3 hoses .. one is intake one is a fat house for exiting all the water and
one is not as fat which controls the flow ( i haven't used it in years so i might be a bit off )
originally the 2 exit hoses had a plastic clamp ( went around the hoses and ratcheted / clicked with
your thumb and released just as ez ) you clamped them both shut when you fill it with water then you
release the narrow one ( from what i remember ) slowly to get equilibrium between the flow out and flow in ...
when you want to fully drain, you release the fat hose, repeat or rack the prints.
i used mine maybe a handful of times, but realized the prints got just as washed in a tray shuffled, filled and dumped ( less water too ).
and if you use something like perma wash or fixer remover your wash time / leech the chemistry out time is reduced considerably.
and it saves a ton of water. i think the last time i used it was in the mid 90s.

the posted instructions are for a film washer. it has a slotted basket for sheet film which can be removed so you can put reels in.
its basically a siphon that fills and dumps. ive got one of those and use it all the time. you can't blast the water, it won't refill. with the print washer
you WANT to blast the water so the cross jet-sprayers work.

jnanian said:

i have the same one but mine is an oriental print washer
there are 3 hoses ..

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Many thanks !