JOBO CPE2 (not plus) - Lift won't attach - Help!

EDIT -- WHOOPS. Apologies. Posted this in the wrong forum.

I just acquired a great looking used CPE2 (not the plus version) and a brand new CPE2/CPE2+ lift.

I'm able to unscrew the magnet from the CPE2, but the new sprocket gear for the lift doesn't want to fit on properly on the spindle. I've checked the Lift box and instructions, and it is indeed the lift for the CPE2/CPE2+. The sprocket fits on the spindle, but the screw and little mounting piece from the magnet doesn't fit in the new sprocket gear. So there's no way for the new gear to make a solid attachment to the spindle.

I've checked my bag of parts, and I don't see any other fasteners. The lift is brand new from B&H (and marked that it's for the CPE2/CPE2+), so I assume I'm not missing any hardware.

Does anyone know of issues with attaching a lift to the CPE? I've ordered another used used CPE2+, so I'm hoping I've got an early model CPE2 with some incompatibility.

It's a shame, because the temp control is spot on with the CPE2 and the machine looks almost brand new. I'm hoping the lift will mount fine with the CPE2+.

Once I'm able to figure this out, I plan to sell the CPE2. (Or should I keep it for parts?)

Am I missing something obvious here? The lift instructions are clear, but they don't show enough detail for me to figure out if I'm missing a part or need another part.

There are two different mounting styles for the magnets and cogs depending on the age of the processor. But it would seem like a new lift would cover those bases. I had some links to Jobo's German web site that discussed the differences but they no longer work. The easiest thing might be to contact Omega Satter's support (current U.S. distributor of Jobo products) and ask them.

I've moved the thread.

I'm also very interested to follow up on this thread, since I have a CPE2 without lift and a box of spare parts which seems to me to include a complete lift assembly...

Well, bad news.

I've discovered that my CPE-2 is one of the early models and -- as bdial and AgX have pointed out -- has one of the early spindles. My new lift assembly from B&H has only the gear for the later spindle -- not the early spindle.

I contacted Jobo yesterday and they indicated that OmegaSatter is now the distributor for all (remaining?) Jobo darkroom items. Anyway, OmegaSatter does not have the piece I need. There was a sheet at the bottom of my lift box (which I didn't notice) indicating that I needed to obtain a special part from my Jobo dealer if the gear doesn't fit on the spindle. Obviously, this is no longer possible.

So I went ahead and ordered a used CPE2+. I'm assuming the plus version will have the proper spindle and my lift should be okay. The plus version also has (I'm told) a better motor assembly than the non-plus version, a better thermostat, and an electrical reversal mechanism instead of the mechanical reversal. (Which was another one of my concerns -- since it looked like the black lift gear had no way of hitting the reversal switch like the magnet part did.)

Last night I did some B&W experiments in the CPE2 (as I wait for the newer version) -- and I'm pretty impressed at how well the CPE2 holds the temperature. I'm not sure how old my particular unit is, but it seems to work great. If the lift would fit, I'd be thrilled.

I am irked that Jobo didn't include all the necessary hardware for all CPE2/CPE2+ models in the lift package. Maybe the CPE2 (non-plus) was such a limited run that they figured they could save a bit of money. Anyway, now I'll (soon) have a CPE2 w/magnet and a CPE2+ with (I hope) a lift. (I'm also told that the CPE2 and CPE2+ internals are vastly different, so using one as a "spare parts" box won't necessarily work.)

It dawned on me, though, as I was reading the Arista C-41 instructions -- and working through the process in my head before actually trying it for the first time in the Jobo -- that I don't really need the lift. It's nice, and I can see how it can help move the chemicals in and out, but the old-school "hand pour" will surely work as long as I time the pours and account for the time in the overall phases. (I'm doing C-41 and E-6 for the first time, so despite my reading and re-reading all the info on the web and in forums, I'm still figuring out a plan of attack.)

It is annoying. I have a spare Lift for my CPE2+ which I would not mind putting on the old CPE2 which is currently used for tempering and washing (I have a spare magnet base for my 5x4 tanks).

Omega Satter can't or is unwilling to order the part?
When I ordered mine, as I recall they were out of stock, but ordered it from Germany. It took a few weeks, but I got it.

grahamp said:

It is annoying. I have a spare Lift for my CPE2+ which I would not mind putting on the old CPE2 which is currently used for tempering and washing (I have a spare magnet base for my 5x4 tanks).

Click to expand...

Would you be willing to sell your spare Jobo Lift ?
Thanks.
Ted