Jobo Motor Question

Helloooooo I just purchased a 3005 drum to process 8x10 sheet film. I am currently seeking out a CPA or P2 and I have been offered an A2 in excellent condition. However the seller pointed out that it does not have a later motor upgrade so my 3005 drum may wear it out.

I have seen some contradictory accounts of this. I'm not planning on using chemistry beyond the minimum amount to cover my film and develop the images. It will likely see E6, C41, and D76 1:1.

Can someone inform me about what to expect in terms of the motor? Does anyone know how much it actually costs to have it changed should it break down?

Thank you in advance for your help.

I doubt that anyone who is free to talk about it has hard data about MTBF for the earlier vs the later motor, under the load of the bigger Expert drums. But if you intend to use the machine to process customer film, given how small the difference in cost for a processor with a newer motor is, why would you increase your risk of a processing run failure by using the less-durable motor?

Ask CatLABS about the cost of replacing the motor.

Also FYI:

https://www.catlabs.info/how-to-choose-the-right-jobo-processor

EDIT: And a PS - I use a CPA2 with the newer motor, and I routinely run the 3004 and 3005 drums on it. Loaded with film and sufficient developer solution, those drums are *heavy*. Sorry to be so blunt about this, but I strongly advise you not to take the unnecessary risk. Thinking as a prospective customer, I wouldn't have a lot of confidence in a lab that was cutting corners in this way.

Thanks for your concern but 8x10 is for my own personal work. I have no immediate plans to run customer work in a non automated film processor. Were I to start I'd probably look for an ATL machine, and that would require a slightly more complicated workflow that I have now.

Fair enough! Given the cost of 8x10 film (especially color film!), though, and the value of your time and effort, I think it's still a good idea to go with the newer motor. Depending on how attractive the price is for the CPA2 you've been offered and how much a motor replacement would cost, it might be worth your while to buy and immediately upgrade.

Just get it if you think it's a good deal. Check and see what kind of motor it is. See if you can get a replacement one when you need it. In the mean time it works right?

NortheastPhotographic said:

Thanks for your concern but 8x10 is for my own personal work. I have no immediate plans to run customer work in a non automated film processor. Were I to start I'd probably look for an ATL machine, and that would require a slightly more complicated workflow that I have now.

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You are going to need a lift, CPA2 has less electronic doodads to go bad. You can replace the motor. I got a CPP2 with a new lift for parts and fixed. These machines are amazing. German quality. It's really up to you, Catlabs will help if you have problems.
I want to buy a CPP 3, I am in your situation, can't justify.
I would seriously consider the NEW CPE3 and a Catlabs CL-810 reel. Not buying the Expert drum will save you a lot of money. I have Expert drums, I still use the 4x5 reels and 8x10 reel now and then.

Omer at Cat labs would have a lot of information for you. I bought my new unit from him.

Hi,

Those motors are not so easy to find and can be quite expensive. The circuit boards also go. Good luck finding one of those cheap. The CPP has a digital temperature control, which is more convenient than a thermometer, which is what you'll need with a CPA. (I've had both a CPA2 and a CPP2).

Those 3000 series drums really are quite heavy, even when filled with the minimum required solution. My CPP2 is a later model and it still strains with my 3010. I get a little nervous every time. Unless it's a really good deal I'd hold out for a later CPP2. I found a pair on Craigslist for $600 with a bunch of accessories. CatLabs and people on Ebay know what they are and charge accordingly. Most everyone else just wants them out of the house If you look a bit you'll likely find a deal.

In addition to CatLABS contact Dave Smith at Darkroom Doctor. http://www.darkroomdoctor.com/ joboman@aol.com

NortheastPhotographic said:

Helloooooo I just purchased a 3005 drum to process 8x10 sheet film. I am currently seeking out a CPA or P2 and I have been offered an A2 in excellent condition. However the seller pointed out that it does not have a later motor upgrade so my 3005 drum may wear it out.

I have seen some contradictory accounts of this. I'm not planning on using chemistry beyond the minimum amount to cover my film and develop the images. It will likely see E6, C41, and D76 1:1.

Can someone inform me about what to expect in terms of the motor? Does anyone know how much it actually costs to have it changed should it break down?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Click to expand...

I don't know about the 3005 drum, but I use a JOBO 2550 tank with the CatLabs CL81 for 8x10. 570ml is all you need, you can get by with a lot less than that if only doing one sheet in the outer slot, though I usually just run 600ml and be done with it.

I asked the official source in Germany and he told me that a new motor upgrade for my old CPA2 would be easily around 1000 euros. Unless you are lucky and handy enough to fix it on your own, so take that into account.

As I've discovered (too late), consider your options well; this can be a very expensive rabbithole to fall down. If you are going to do 8x10" C-41/E6 in larger quantities, if I were you, I would source a machine that has the newer, stronger motor. And most likely with a lift. I had no idea how big the 3000 series drums were until I saw one in real life. Even with the 330 ml amount of developer it would put some strain on the motor.

Adrian Bacon said:

I don't know about the 3005 drum, but I use a JOBO 2550 tank with the CatLabs CL81 for 8x10. 570ml is all you need, you can get by with a lot less than that if only doing one sheet in the outer slot, though I usually just run 600ml and be done with it.

Click to expand...

Some others have reported scratches with the CL81. Have you experienced that issue?

Frankly I think I am now saving my pennies for either a CPP3 or refurbished 2. Thanks for everyone's advice! I may pick up a CL81 to use with my CPE2 in the interim, depending on the scratching issue.

I looked into this at one time, check the actual motor plate, some (but I am sure not all) Jobo motors are actually windshield wiper motors for big trucks.

Unfortunately, upgrading CPP2 units is no longer an option due to lack of several of the required parts to do this.
The last upgrade parts for 120V CPP2s were used and inventory depleted in 2014. I am not sure when 220V parts were gone.

At the last time such an upgrade was possible, the cost of the parts alone was around 1500$, and this included replacing ONLY the parts related to the motor upgrade, and left all other components in place - which might mean in some cases the machine would have a new drive motor, but a 30+ year old pump motor or support PC boards and all other components.

Some CPA2 upgrade parts are available (for 220V ONLY), and the cost is around 1000 Euro for the parts, though most likely closer to 1500$ since the last main drive motor cost update, then add labor, the cost of shipping, and the cost of complete service to the machine, potentially replacing other EOL components, and the price easily exceeds that of a new CPP3. This has been the case for the past 10 years, well before the CPP3 was available.

Naturally, we are happy to sell new CPP3 machines - we make money, Jobo makes money, and the future of this production is secured with more orders. With that said, from time to time, last production CPA2 and CPP2 machines come up on the used market - which at best are by now 15 years old. Consider supporting the industry by buying a new machine.
CatLABS offers a "buy back" credit towards a new CPP3 when you send back your old CPA/CPP machines. Its a modest credit, and should really be an incentive for anyone with an EOL machine which is not serviceable, or otherwise defective to get into a new machine which can be serviced with current parts well into the future.

Watch the video on the new CPP3, totally new internals. I've got a reasonably newer CPP2 with the new style lift. It's OK for the limited amateur work I do, but having worked on this machine, it looks like a old style transistor radio inside.
I've been using 3005 drums lately, that's a LOT of mass to be moving back and forth.
There's motors that claim to be direct fit replacement on Ebay now and then, but it's a Chinese motor, no trasmission. ???
Catlabs, correct me if I'm wrong, but the CPP3 has no birds foot reversal switch to go out.

" Buy back, hmmn."