Jobo atl 1000 problem(s)

[valdoo]

Hi folks,

I'm having a problem with newly acquired Jobo atl 1000. The processor is connected to domestic water supply. After switching it on the pump does not bring water inside nor any of lights are on. The only sign of processor being on is rotating mechanism, which starts right after I press the on/off button. Mechanism is however rather weak and slow if compared to my my CPA 2 processor, plus if i leave 2531 drum inside it stops after a minute or so, in slowing gradual manner. I also tried to switch programs with no effect. Here is a video footage:
http://youtu.be/ofeRzI23Im8

Is my processor completely broken /pump, engine/ or am I doing something wrong and perhaps it needs some kind of system reset? After a day and night I can't find any relevant information on this problem.

Would very much appreciate any insights.

Thank you for your time,



Vlad

 

[Muihlinn]

IIRC there it was a reset in such units, unplugging, and/or switching the switch #10 when leds didn't lit up. Speaking from memory, allow me a few to check the docs. But looks to me sounds like a faulty overload circuit.

Check here for the proper manual. http://is.gd/cDTdQk

 

[CatLABS]

1. Check heater protection reset switch:
it is located under the control panel, undo the 3-4 screws holding it on, and carefully move it back, the reset switch is right below the opening. Press it lightly. If you hear a light click, it was reset, if not, it might not have been tripped in the first place.

2. Make sure the drum you are attaching does NOT have the orange washer on the cog lid. This will cause the slowing and stopping of the motor.

3.Make sure your machine is hooked up to a water outlet, and pressurize the hose by opening the water source tap. The solenoid will keep it pressurized until needed by the machine.

Try those three things and let us know what you find.

 

[David Nardi]

Here's a link to my ATL1000 processor running some C41 film. First, you should have your water line on. I use a pass thru photography thermometer to temper my water for the process and then close the two-way valve when running a process. You can see in the video that my water line is open. Since I am manually tempering my water with the thermometer I use the two-way valve to check the temp before programmed water rinses (I get a more accurate reading when the water isn't pressurized). When you select a process (C41, E6, B&W), make sure your water line is pressurized, the machine will automatically fill the basin with a water jacket around the drum. The drum starts turning bi-directionally right away and it is quite fast. At least two and a half revolutions before spinning the other way. Try what CatLabs suggested, but you may have an issue with your motor or the AC current that the machine is receiving.

If you fix the motor then I suggest running a full E6 6-Bath process with water to troubleshoot the rest of your machine. This way you can test if all the bottles are properly injecting all the water, if the bottles switch over, if times and buit-in tempering works, etc. The machine will not inject your first developer until it reaches the process temperature (in this case E6 needs to temper the water to 100F or 38C). There is a thermometer in the first bottle. It should take about 18min for a full bottle at room temp to come to 100F. If you find that it's been much longer and the machine hasn't injected yet then you need to hit the heater reset switch under the main panel that CatLab suggests.

Catlabs specialize in Jobo processors and are a very good resource should you have any more questions. I'm glad they're around. I have bought much of my accessory equipment from them via their eBay store.

http://youtu.be/1YtxudopgXI

 

[valdoo]

Gentlemen, let me all thank you very much, resetting heater protection helped. The engine is now running as it should. Operation light is on as well as beeping sound. Tomorrow I'll try connecting processor to water supply and see if the rest works. I am now to believe the whole problem was linked to heater protection.

@David, at the moment I have very similar setup, lacking thermometer, but it is easy to check during the process with the second valve. Water temp is pretty constant in my place so I do not worry about it.
Also I have large water tank with heating element which I'm about to connect with processor and eventually run in independently with central heating pump to pressurize the flow.


Thank you all once again, very very kind of you indeed.



Vlad

 

[CatLABS]

Good! The thermal protection can trip during shipment, or moving the machine.

Glad to see you solved this one.

 

[valdoo]

Hi folks,

After all excitement I realised there is another problem with the machine. Lift gear mechanism is not able to elevate the tank(empty tank, without reels or chemicals). Video footage here:

http://youtu.be/CXRMP7c6sLU
.

Also, after removing the cover it seem to me that modification is made inside the processor. Although I'm not sure if this was attempt to repair or adjust lift mechanism issue.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9wq4tey9gz5pfnw/Photo 14-05-2013 00 35 20.jpg


If you gentlemen came across this I would like to ask kindly yet again what you think can be done to fix this. Thank you.

Perhaps I should just return the machine back to London, it did receive quite harsh external damage during delivery. I can think of scenario with internal construction being cracked..


Nice days to you all,



Vlad

 

[CatLABS]

It is not clear from the photo what the modification inside the machine was trying to do. The clicking sound is the arm motor gear grinding agains the arm gear cam, or at least it sounds like it.

If you try to help the arm up does it engage at all? It may very well be the the cam is stripped (made of plastic).

You can easily remove the cam and inspect it.

Let us know what you find.

 

[valdoo]

Hi there, thank you for reply! You're right about clicking sound, the mechanism is only able to lift the arm. It won't work with tank attached. I'll have a look at the gear cam when I'm back home this Thursday. Thank you once again.