Maxiprint Senator Auto Enlarger

I recently acquired this enlarger which is based on the LPL 7451 but with a motorised colour filters in the head controlled via an analyser/timer unit connnected to a sensor in the baseboard. Since I'm using it just for black and white printing I'd like to replace the current analyser/timer with an f-stop timer. I have no information on how the analyser controls the enlarger lamp and wondered if anyone has come across this arrangement before and if there is a wiring diagram available for it - my google searches have returned very little info.

Thanks in advance.

Jules:

I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of the f-stop timer(s) you are considering. They may have dealt with this question before.

If you are considering either an RH Designs or Darkroom Automation product, they are both advertisers and regular participants here on APUG, and very helpful as well.

Matt

Hi Matt,thanks for your response - I am considering the RH designs timer and have already contacted Richardat RH but he has no experience of this enlarger set-up and suggested posting here. Maxiprint are no longer trading so no chance of information there either.

Julian

Does the timer have a manual mode that allows you to set the filtration and turn the lamp on and off by yourself, without any 'automation' getting in the way?

If so, then there is - theoretically - a way to connect it to an external timer. Whether the effort would be worth it is another matter.

There is no manual mode as such with the analyser but the enlarger head does have manual dichroic filters that can be used instead of the ones controlled by the analyser, in which case the anlyser could just be used as a timer - albeit a fairly crude one. I should point out that the analyser is connected to the enlarger power supply, a sensor built in to the base board and the automatic filters in the enlarger head. The enlarger power supply is also connected to the enlarger head feeding a 240v fan and powering a 200w 24v halogen lamp via separate cables. If the analyser is disconnected from the transformer, the enlarger lamp is switched on - in which case it can only be switched off via the main supply. Now whilst I know a timer could be connected to the mains supply to the transformer in this configuration would this be wise or would it be better to try and switch the supply to the lamp - which is how the analyser controls it now. Apologies for the long post and if you're still following this I'd be grateful for some views!