Kaiser Electric Timer 4030/4031 problem

[nsurit]

I've connected a Durst 305 enlarger to a Kaiser Electric Timer 4030/4031 both items of which are 220V. It is being run through a 110 to 220 converter. Using the timer on for focusing everything works great, however when I dial in a time for an exposure and push the timer button, the light comes on and stays on. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be. User error is certainly a possibility and I'm hoping for an easy fix. Bill Barber

 

[Mike Wilde]

not a user, but a thought

Silverprint's web site shows the timer, and mentions that there is a focus footswitch that can be used with the unit.

There isn't a switch you need to set if there is no footswitch connected?

 

[nsurit]

There is no foot switch attached to this timer. Bill Barber

 

[Mike Wilde]

sorry you are so far away

I usally can troubleshoot these things when i can lay my hands on them. Tinkerer and electrical engineer...

The phrase voltage convertor makes me suspicious. Not all convertors are created equal. If it is heavy, and magnetic based, then likely it is good. Little power switching semiconductor things are a different story, particularly wehn lightly loaded, as this application could present.

Will the timer run without the enlarger plugged into it?

Is it possible to source a different lamp with the same color temp and form factor for the enlarger? Is the existing bulb 220V , or is there a step down transformer?

A lot of european technical stuff was made dual voltage, ready to be used all over the world with the change of a few internal jumpers. Usually this involves connecting the two primary windings of the transformer in parallel for 120V, whereas in 220V they are wired in series. Mind the polarity. The two windings have to add magnetically, and not cancel one another once paralled. This may be beyond your ability. I have cut over a slide projector, and a color analyser to 110V this way.

 

[nsurit]

With the enlarger not attached it does not seem to move, if in fact it is supposed to move. Bill Barber

 

[Mike Wilde]

Time for the old faithful

Put a cheapo 110V Gralab 300 upstream of the voltage convertor. Declare the other timer dead.

 

[nsurit]

Oh, so timer plugged into wall socket, voltage converter plugged into timer, enlarger plugged into the converter. Thank you, I'll give it a try. I was not thinking outside the box and I do have an extra timer to test it with. Bill Barber