Infrared heaters in the darkroom

[Pieter12]

I am considering getting an infrared heater for my garage darkroom. I don't know--so I am asking here--if the infrared light emitted by these would affect either film or paper in the darkroom? I don't shoot IR film or any of the simulated IR films, so that is not a concern for me.

 

[rcphoto]

The light emitted is not infrared. It would likely fog your paper

 

[Pieter12]

I suspected that--along with infrared, there is visible light.

 

[Rick A]

I use a ceramic disk heater in my DR, I put black tape over the "on" light and keep it below a work bench out of direct sight.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Bit of a tangent, but related...the temp in my darkroom is set for 16C (60F) and I put waterproof seedling/greenhouse heat mats under the trays which keep solutions at 20C (68F) no problem.

Baby pig heating pads are much fancier and can be ordered with temperature probes, thermostats, and timers.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

You could always get a safelight filter for your glowing heater

Seriously, though, an oil-filled radiator heater works well in my darkroom. I got one at the local thrift shop for $12.

Doremus

 

[ags2mikon]

Back in the 70's I tried an electric resistance heater that glowed red and it fogged the paper so it was replaced with a baseboard type heater that did not glow. I still have and use it at times in the darkroom. I also have 2 oil filled radiator type electric heaters that do most of the work. I would rather have 2 heaters on low than 1 run on high. I also have an aladdin blue flame kerosene heater that I use to bring up the temperature quickly and turn off when I get to temp. When I am not using the darkroom I leave the heaters off unless it is going to be below freezing. I do not use heaters with fans.

 

[Pieter12]

Bit of a tangent, but related...the temp in my darkroom is set for 16C (60F) and I put waterproof seedling/greenhouse heat mats under the trays which keep solutions at 20C (68F) no problem.

Baby pig heating pads are much fancier and can be ordered with temperature probes, thermostats, and timers.

Are you using metal trays? The seedling heater I tried didn't seem to get very warm, maybe it takes a long time to get to temperature.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Are you using metal trays? The seedling heater I tried didn't seem to get very warm, maybe it takes a long time to get to temperature.

Plastic trays. I got Vivosun10x20.75 mats, and yes, it does take a while. The farming supply baby pig heating pads offer a lot more control, but are more expensive.

 

[fiddle]

I have an infrared heater in my garage darkroom as well. Did a bunch of tests with it on and off, saw no fogging. Cant assure they are all the same though.

 

[gone]

$16.87 is about as cheap as it gets for a well made, budget priced portable heater. Mine did a very good job of heating things up when I was in an AIRBNB where their thermostat defaulted to 63 degrees no matter where you put it. I prefer things around 75-80 degrees, and it got the temps up quickly. Doesn't make a lot of noise either. Don't remember if it put out light, just put it under a table or chair and face it toward the wall like Rick A said.

I have NO idea why the link here is asking if you are a human or a robot. Just tell it that's none of its business.

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[Kino]

I use an oil filled radiator heater. Cheap to run and with tape over the red indicator, no light problems. The heat is gentle and constant.