Help with Chromegatron Pro Lab Color Analyzer

[zinnanti]

Hi All -

I just purchased an Omega Chromegatron Pro Lab Color Analyzer off of eBay. The unit powers up. However, when first powered up, the needle jumped to the right of the meter, then back left and hasn't moved since.

No amount of dialing, tweaking or variation of light manages to move the needle. The unit - which continues to power up - otherwise looks like it's in good condition.

Any ideas (besides getting my money back)?

Thanks -

Tony

 

[ic-racer]

Did you get the manual? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...KJ6be8zVy7rasSoMTx%2BBLB0sBw%3D#ht_1170wt_983

 

[Mike Wilde]

While I concur the manual is very useful place to start, a few other questions come to mind.

Are you testing this thing in the darkroom, illuminating the probe by the light of the enlarger?

Some analysers can 'saturate' and then stop working for a while when exposed to regular room lighting.

The other explanation is that the photomultiplier tube, which I am guessing your unit may contain, may have cooked off on power up.

Do you have experience with other analysers, to confirm how to expect how the thing is to work, or is this your first analyser?

 

[John Weinland]

I have two of them, plus the instruction manual, but not the factory maintenance/calibration manual. If the lights light, it probably can be made to work. But the factory maintenance/calibration manual is an absolute necessity, and I've never seen one. They must exist, and a few shops are willing to repair and calibrate this model of color analyzer. Shop around but, if you are technically adept - very adept - and have the instruction manual, you can copy/enlarge the schematic and try to troubleshoot the device yourself. I recommend saving for a new color analyzer and calling the Chromegatron a 'valuable learning experience.' Get your money back if you can.

 

[peoplemerge]

Rescisitating this old thread because I have two of these Chromegatrol Pro Lab analyzers. One turns on but won't read anything. The other works as an exposure meter but none of the color programming works (meter reads nothing in C/M/Y modes no matter what I do to the dials). If anyone has advice that might save me some time bringing at least the half-working one back to life and immortalize their knowledge to posterity, it would be appreciated.

I bought these for about $25 each, whereas there is only one on that auction site now that accepts returns, and the prices are generally $150. I have the schematic (posted), a hobbyist's electronics experience, and a handful of electrical engineering classes under my belt. I would rather use that knowledge and a few hours to build a working unit than deal with the frustration of waiting for other more expensive and probably broken units.

 

[Pop Alexandra]

Did you get the manual? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=170215783278&nma=true&rt=nc&si=MKJ6be8zVy7rasSoMTx%2BBLB0sBw%3D#ht_1170wt_983

Thanks a lot! I've been searching for this manual for hours.
_______________________________________________
Alexandra from CI Analytics

 

[ic-racer]

OP: zinnanti was last seen: Feb 15, 2012

I think that ebay sale from 2011 has long been deleted, but when the link was active, the pictures showed a manual with the analyzer he bought. We don't know if he ever got the manual and figured it out or if he sent the unit back.

 

[de3euk]

The manual seems to be sold for CA$10.95 at the link below
http://store.khbphotografix.com/Omega-Chromegatron-Pro-Lab-Color-Analyzer-Manual.html