Ilford multigrade 500

[marcos]

Hello,
I have an Ilford Multigrade 500 System originally from the USA that was arranged by his previous owner to be used in European voltage (230 V).
The thing is that when I try to get it going nothing happens.
If I switch on the power unit, I can see nothing in the 500 CPM unit, while I can hear the fan working. The keys do nothing if I press on them.
Since I also have the 500 S controller (the one with the tactile keys) I connected this one and for a while it looked as if everything was OK, but while trying to figure out if it was so, everything failed. Afterwards, when switched on, this controller reads 000 for the timing and 00 for the contrast grade. During the 2 minutes it worked I could check the bulbs, which seem to be in good working order.
I have read the manuals, the one for the 500CPM and the one for the older 500 controller, and I don’t know what is going on. Can you help me?
Thanks.

 

[thedarkroomstudios]

I know it sounds dumb, but, easy to overlook... did you check the fuses? Sounds like after a couple of minutes the bulbs made the fuses blow (not unusual for it to take a little while with slow-blow fuses and only a minor short) If the fuses blew, start following leads (the 500H head has a somewhat common issue of the lead from the socket getting caught in the light cover on the right side) and also double-check the bulbs that were put in to be sure the prev. owner gave you the correct ones rather than some that "just fit" and may in fact be over-wattage.

-Brad

 

[marcos]

Many thanks for your help, Brad
Messing around with the fuse I made the unit work again with the 550C controller (I’ve seen only one fuse in the power unit, so I’m assuming there is no more to be checked?). I think that turning on and off several times helped. Sometimes it works and others it doesn't. I can use the focus key and see how the lamps go on, but I cannot change the contrast grade or the timing.
With the 500CPM controller now I can read P1 in the led window of the right. I can see nothing in the left one.
I can’t see any of the 50/60 frequency indication once I turn on the unit, which makes me think there is a problem with the range of . The indicator is probably referring to “HEL P 1”, that the manual considers.
Anyway, I’ll check the lamps and see what happens.
Thanks again. Marcos.

 

[Andrew4x5]

Hi Marcos

It sounds like there is something wrong with the 500CPM controller, or the cable that connects it to the power supply. When you switch on the head, first "50H" (mains frequency) appears for about half a second, and then an initial time (16 sec, I think) and grade (2) should appear. Also, the fans in the head go for approximately 2 minutes.

You can get the repair (and user) manuals from http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/page.asp?n=161.


Regarding fuses, there are two. The main one is at the back of the power supply, and is embedded in the voltage selector switch. (Obviously, this must be OK because the fans and lights work.) The other, at the front, is for the safelight socket.

Good luck with your troubleshooting, Andrew