• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Jobo ATL-1000 chemical bottle no pumping issue

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
201,768
Messages
2,829,827
Members
100,936
Latest member
rdbirt
Recent bookmarks
0

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
HI,All.
Recently bought a Jobo ATL-1000 processor.
First time tried the cleaning mode and E-6 standard mode with fresh water to test the machine, not bad.
But these days, the machine gets some abnormal issue, which can not pump the water from chemical bottles to the tank.
For example, the cleaning mode can go through the whole process, first and final incoming water can be pumped into tank in the process, only the six full filled chemical bottles failed, lids are checked and closed, and It's no beeping or warnings during the process.
Can anyone give advice what's going on with the machine or any suggestions to do with it, like reset to factory mode?


Best
Deane
 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
I just run the E-6 6-step standard program and C-41 3-step standard program, with the same results.
Fresh incoming water can be pumped into tank, 6 chemical bottles are full of water left when the whole process is done, no warning signal.
 

FotoD

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
428
Location
EU
Format
Analog
This can happen when there is an air leak in the system. There has to be a vacuum for the pump to work. The pump is working right? It makes a loud noise so you should be able to tell.

The lid of the machine may not be pushing down hard enough on the lids of the bottles to make a seal. You can tape a shim on the inside of the top lid to create more pressure and test this. A litte silicone on the rubber gasket can help the lids seal better.

Of course, the leak could be anywhere between the bottles and the pump. The fact that all 6 bottles are failing suggests that the leak is either caused by a really loose top lid, or that it's closer to the pump.

Good luck!
 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
Yes, i can hear the air pumping sound clear during each step, does that mean the pump work well?
The lid should be ok, as i push down very hard to ensure its close.
As my understanding, the air pumping sounds first, then chemical is sucked into tank, with fews minutes rotation, then arm lifts, chemical pours out.
And I find an interesting thing, the air pump seems a bit slower than the program.
After first time rinse water pours out, green lights off, No.1 yellow lights up. At this time, no air pumping sound, just rotation, arm lifts. Then air pumping sounds first time, No.1 lights off, No.2 lights up.
It repeats the same cycle four times, at the end, No.6 lights for a period of time, in the meanwhile, arm lifts, chemical pours out, here is the weird thing, last air pumping sounds, and green lights up, rinse water steps come.
 

FotoD

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
428
Location
EU
Format
Analog
I can't say I hear the pump working in the video. Do you hear it?

From memory it should run continously for about 10s every time a yellow LED turns on.
 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
Sorry for confusion.
There were two sounds lasting about 3 secs during each yellow led light shifting, maybe i have mistaken this kind of motor sound as the air pump sound.
So does that mean the root cause is the air pump part?
 
Last edited:

Kino

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,947
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
I have an ATL 2300 and if that air pump sounds the same as this one, I can certainly say it's not working.

It has a raspy, but muted staccato sound that is unmistakable.

Go to 0:39 into this video and you will hear the air pump...

 
Last edited:

FotoD

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
428
Location
EU
Format
Analog
Have you closed the drain valve?

Not sure if it makes a difference, but it would be an easy fix if it works!
 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
I have an ATL 2300 and if that air pump sounds the same as this one, I can certainly say it's not working.

It has a raspy, but muted staccato sound that is unmistakable.

Go to 0:39 into this video and you will hear the air pump...



It's different indeed.
I would check my air pump later.
Thanks.
 

nbagno

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
749
Location
SF Bay Area
Format
4x5 Format
Here is the air pump sound on my ATL1500. You can clearly hear it start at 00:10 and end about 00:27. You will also hear the sound of the water in the tank as it's being pumped.

 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
Thanks guys given above information for reference.
I have found the root cause of no pumping issue, which was the wire connector too loose to the pump pin, and i changed the wire connector, the pump works good now.
But there is another issue when running the the cleaning mode, the bottle 2 got about 100ml water remaining after the cleaning mode.
I have tried more than 3 times, same results.
Also i did the cross test, exchanging the bottle tube 2 with bottle tube 3, and water remaining happens in the bottle 3, bottle 2 is no problem.
Does anyone have experience of above issue and how to fix it?
Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • wire connector.jpg
    wire connector.jpg
    155.7 KB · Views: 120
  • bottle tube.jpg
    bottle tube.jpg
    120.1 KB · Views: 133
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
Describe a little more clearly
Replaced tubes #2 and #3 in the hose collector, not the chemical bottle side.
Then bottle #3 has water remains.
 

FotoD

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
428
Location
EU
Format
Analog
Good for you that you could fix the pump!

Make shure that everything from the lid on bottle #3, to the #3 hose connection to the pump is 100% air-tight. Then it *should* empty the bottle completely.

I'm thinking a small air leak makes the #3 bottle drain slower than the others, and 100ml remains when the others are empty.

Good luck!
 

FotoD

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
428
Location
EU
Format
Analog
I've had the same problem b/c the top lid didn't push down hard enough on the individual bottle lids. The problems started with a single bottle. There is an adjustment screw to tighten the top lid.
 
OP
OP

sunhouwang

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
40
Location
China
Format
Large Format
I've had the same problem b/c the top lid didn't push down hard enough on the individual bottle lids. The problems started with a single bottle. There is an adjustment screw to tighten the top lid.
Thanks.
I would try it later, hope it's only the lid issue.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom