Help with Omega Chromega B Dichroic

benstillerilluminati · Apr 8, 2014

Hi, I'm new to film photography and just received a Omega Chromega B Dichroic from a friend who's never used it. The problem is, I can't figure out how to turn it on, there's no power switch anywhere. He dropped it off with a variable transformer that it plugs into. Is there a way to get the enlarger to work with the transformer I received, or should I be looking for the specific power supply? Also could it be the light bulb that needs to be replaced? Thanks.

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

A variable Xformer?? That doesn't sound right. Doesn't sound like he brought the correct power supply with him.

benstillerilluminati · Apr 8, 2014

Yep, it's a big square powerstat transformer that ranges from 0 to 100

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

Well I just searched google images for that model and all I saw was a box wit one rocker-switch and nothing else. Further, the power supply on my Beseler is like that too. Sounds like he gave you a variac of some kind and not the right power supply.

benstillerilluminati · Apr 8, 2014

Alright, thanks for the help. I guess I'll have to find a power supply for it.

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

If you posted a pic of what you have there, we could clear this up.

jp498 · Apr 8, 2014

I really like this enlarger.
Mine has a black box with a single switch on the front which is the power supply.
The lamp is an odd voltage; you'll have to take the lid off as if changing the bulb and see what voltage the lamp is. I think it says in there. That's why there's a variac. If you swapped bulbs to something of a different voltage it could run on any appropriate power source.

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

EBAY is littered with power supplies for this model, cheap enough. Knowing that, there's no sense in tinkering with this oddball stuff.

ic-racer · Apr 8, 2014

Tom1956 said:
EBAY is littered with power supplies for this model, cheap enough. Knowing that, there's no sense in tinkering with this oddball stuff.

^ This

benstillerilluminati · Apr 8, 2014

Here's a picture of the transformer I received. I don't think my friend has the other power supply, so I'll have to get one on ebay. They're pretty cheap so that's not a problem.

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

That is a Variac or similar, possibly a well-done home made. Very nice--Wish I had it. They're used in radio/TV repair and other industrial applications. But it's not what you need for the enlarger. I'm not familiar with that particular one. It could also possibly have circuitry that makes it a voltage regulator. You should have somebody take a look at it and see exactly what it is. If it is a voltage regulator, and IF it has an equal or higher power rating than the enlarger's power supply, you might be looking at something that would be perfect for color and high-accuracy black and white work.
At any rate, it's a nice box, especially for a compulsive tinkerer like me.

ic-racer · Apr 8, 2014

benstillerilluminati said:
Here's a picture of the transformer I received. I don't think my friend has the other power supply, so I'll have to get one on ebay. They're pretty cheap so that's not a problem.
View attachment 85829

Looks like it is set right about 24v. Don't accidentally bump the knob
Actually, if you are a fanatic, you can hook this up to a AC voltmeter and tweak it to exactly 24V for each printing session. Kind of a semi-automatic regulated power supply.

Tom1956 · Apr 8, 2014

Actually it would work on the enlarger I feel sure. I never really doubted that. But I'm the kind who likes the right part. Besides, you could bump the knob accidentally and burn out your bulb, or make it too dim and yellow.

Help with Omega Chromega B Dichroic

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