Lith printing question...sort of

[thebanana]

I've read that some Lith printers use a warming tray under their developer tray to keep their chems up around 30c or so. What sort of warming trays are these? Would a typical tray (usually found in a kitchenware store for example) work, or are there specialised trays built for darkroom use?

 

[Andrew Moxom]

farmtek pig warmers... available here:-

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/ the site is undergoing maintenance though right now.

 

[thebanana]

farmtek pig warmers... available here:-

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/ the ... sink? Do they come in various sizes? Thanks.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

They are ammonia and pig pee proof. That's all I know...

You might do better if you don't put your trays in the sink directly, but just on a flat work bench. (I don't have running water in my dark room, just buckets). I use wire shelves to put my trays on, and I keep a room heater blasting underneath the tray. If that isn't enough in the winter I'll put 1L capped bottles of hot water in the tray as well. Works well. But not right for all applications.

 

[Mark Fisher]

I use an 11x14 tray for developer and float it in hot water from the tap. Another plus about this is that it makes agitation a lot easier. This is a pretty water proof solution I like the pig warmer idea though.

 

[tim rudman]

I've read that some Lith printers use a warming tray under their developer tray to keep their chems up around 30c or so. What sort of warming trays are these? Would a typical tray (usually found in a kitchenware store for example) work, or are there specialised trays built for darkroom use?

I use these
http://www.novadarkroom.com/cat/167/Dishes,_Heaters_and_Accessories.html

You can use a tray of warm water but it doesn't hold the temp very long.
Tim

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Heating pad from the local drugstore works okay, but not so well in winter. Putting some tin foil underneath the pad helps the heat stay out of the bench. Probably wouldn't put one of these in the sink with running water.

There are trays that are jacketed, if you have the hose and water source, and space in the sink for it.

 

[Pete H]

I have the Kaiser dishwarmer.

Pete

 

[dancqu]

Another option and very available is seed
starter heating pads. Dan

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Man, those dishwarmers look cool, but would be totally out of place in my junkyard-style darkroom. How hot will that seed starter pad get?

 

[dancqu]

How hot will that seed starter pad get?

Terrarium heat pads are another alternative.
Seeds or Snakes, I've not been able to pin down
the temperatures. Many are adjustable. My semi-
educated guess, low 80s to mid 90s. Dan

 

[thebanana]

I'm going to check out some of the farm supply and seed supply stores around here tomorrow to see what I can find. The Nova dish looks perfect, but I'm just a hacker so it's a bit out of my league

 

[Mike Té]

Are they waterproof, ie do they go right into the sink? Do they come in various sizes? Thanks.

I'm using the piglet warmer as well, John. I've not tested the pee-proofness, though...

When are you coming to the Ottawa area again? I'd be happy to show off my quirky darkroom.

 

[dancqu]

I'm going to check out some of the farm supply and seed supply
stores around here tomorrow to see what I can find.

Pet stores for terrarium supplies. Lots of Web sources;
via Google and eBay as well. Dan