Infrared Dryer Ilford 1250RC

[luxikon]

I read that the Ilford 1250RC shall be a high maintenance dryer. What is your experience and what is to obey about its maintenance?

 

[JohnArs]

Not at all, I buyed mine used and still again use it since 8 years without any problem.

Cheers Armin

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have had two Ilford 1250RC dryers, they are an excellent machine, however they can have issues.

The ones I had were chain driven, with one of them the chain developed a kink after some paper went sideways through the gears on the side, this was a bit of an issue but eventually I straightened the kinked chain link enough to allow the machine to run reasonably freely.

Mostly though, the issue is with the foam exit rollers. These rollers will slowly start to fall apart little bit by little bit. I have used these machines in a busy trade house and the exit rollers on a machine running about 14 hours a day can sometimes fall apart within a couple of years.

Replacement exit rollers were extremely expensive when I last looked about 6 years ago in this country. I was quoted $2,000 AUD for two foam exit rollers, I stopped using my 1250 RC dryer shortly after that.

I then picked up a Rowi RC paper dryer, which is effectively the same as the Ilford dryer, except it is smaller and actually a better unit for a home darkroom if space is a problem. The Rowi unit I have, has rollers that are about 315mm wide. This means you can put paper that is 30cmx40cm or 12"x16" through easily.

I believe the Rowi unit is a better manufactured machine than the Ilford machines. My reasoning for this is because the Ilford machines were designed in an earlier era and the methods of manufacture and materials changed from when the Ilford machines were first designed.

Whatever RC paper dryer you finally decide upon, if the machine is equipped with foam exit rollers, then really have a good look at those rollers.

A good test is to get the machine running for about 5 minutes before the first piece of paper goes through. The idea is to get the heating elements to perfect operating temperature. Then wet a few 20x25cm pieces of RC paper and fill the machine up as fast as possible with these.

You are looking to ensure that the pieces of paper don't come together, especially when going through the exit rollers. When the exit rollers are on the way out, their outer pieces of foam have disintegrated making the rollers slightly smaller. This makes it hard for the paper to be pushed through.

When this happens, the paper will slow down or even stop halfway through the exit rollers. Whilst RC paper is very strong and can handle lots of abuse, it cannot handle the excess heat it is subjected to when it becomes stuck under the heating elements. Warped prints can look interesting, but the smell of burnt plastic isn't that nice.

If the paper is glossy surfaced, then this is even a harder test, as the rollers require correct pressure to work well. About the smallest sized piece of paper you can put through these machines is 5cm x 10cm this is the severest test of all, however I suggest you try this sized paper on the Ilford 1250RC machine with the paper put through diagonally.

The heating element in my Rowi unit is a solid rod type of element, which looks like the ones in our Miele oven. I'm going on memory here, but I believe the Ilford machines have a near identical heating element. The heating elements have never been a problem with any paper dryer I have used.

The Rowi machine has two speeds and a variable temperature control. Basically you can use the low speed and less heat, or the high speed and a lot of heat.

The Ilford units have a variable speed and a variable temperature, as far as I can remember.

Mostly any secondhand Ilford machines will have been used in industry, they may be reasonably well worn. The Rowi machines whilst they will work as well as any of the Ilford machines, were generally used in home darkrooms or small shops, you may get a better condition Rowi unit than an Ilford one.

Mick.

 

[luxikon]

Thanks Armin and Mick

My 1250RC was in a nearly mint condition when I bought it a year ago and is still working perfectly. When I read about its high maintenance demand I wondered what I can do to keep it in good condition.