New Compensating Process Timer

hka · Apr 16, 2008

If I read this thread well than the draintime is set at 10 seconds. I think that this will be to short for draining a large tank in a Jobo CPP or simular.
My excisting ProcessMaster now counts 15 seconds and that will be oké. Is there any possibility to change that to 15 seconds?

RH Designs · Apr 17, 2008

hka said:
If I read this thread well than the draintime is set at 10 seconds. I think that this will be to short for draining a large tank in a Jobo CPP or simular.
My excisting ProcessMaster now counts 15 seconds and that will be oké. Is there any possibility to change that to 15 seconds?

I'm trying to convince the software man that this is a good idea; hopefully I will manage it!

GeorgesGiralt · Apr 19, 2008

Hi Richard !
It would be nice to be able to find the user manual as soon as possible in order to figure if this will be the "must have" .....
Maybe you can amend the original Process Timer manual ???
Have a nice day !

RH Designs · Apr 19, 2008

GeorgesGiralt said:
It would be nice to be able to find the user manual as soon as possible in order to figure if this will be the "must have" .....

Of course it's a "must have", Georges . Seriously though, the manual is usually the last thing that gets done as it requires a finished unit. It will appear on the web site in due course but we're still finalising the software etc.

hka · Apr 20, 2008

If it works like you said I'am very interested. Keep us informed.

mwtroxell · Apr 26, 2008

If the final model is as good as the specs listed here then I'll order one. I'll also recommend it for the new darkroom at the college where I work.

RH Designs · May 22, 2008

Update

The ProcessMaster II is now expected towards the end of next month (June) and details are now available on our web site together with a pre-order facility. You can place an order now for despatch as soon as available; no funds will be debited until despatch.

The countdown now ticks the last 15 seconds, and there are over- and under-temperature warnings, and a probe-disconnected warning. These only activate if the program step calls for temperature compensation. If compensation is set and the step started with the probe disconnected, the timer runs at normal seconds speed.

The features and specification on the web page are correct as of today but may change slightly between now and product launch.

panastasia · May 22, 2008

Peter De Smidt said:
I love my RH Designs timer. It's great!

At one time, I had a Zone VI compensating developing timer. It was the worst piece of darkroom equipment I've ever had. It had to be fixed 4 times, and of course it took awhile for me to figure out that it was broken! So I'm happy that RH Designs is going to build a better one, right?

I have a Zone VI unit - bought new - that has been working fine for years (attached to wall). If they get tossed around, which mine did for a while, they could malfunction like any other electronic device. I like it's simplicity.

It's good to know of something to replace it, if needed.

ITD · May 22, 2008

I use stainless steel tanks - you mentioned holding the temperature probe on the outside with a blu-tak or tape arrangement (IIRC) - how effective is this in determining the temperature of the chemistry and therefore correctly compensating for time?

Cheers

RH Designs · Jun 24, 2008

ITD said:
I use stainless steel tanks - you mentioned holding the temperature probe on the outside with a blu-tak or tape arrangement (IIRC) - how effective is this in determining the temperature of the chemistry and therefore correctly compensating for time?

Apologies for not getting to this sooner. I'd recommend using a water bath and placing the probe in that rather than attaching it to the tank. This is good practice anyway especially if you temper the chemicals in the bath as well prior to using them. Attaching the probe to the tank should work, but its effectiveness will depend on how good the contact between the probe and tank is, and how much insulation the attachment method provides. My first attempt with Blu-Tak failed miserably because I forgot that massaging the Blu-Tak before use heats it up significantly. The timer took off at high speed!

We're just putting the finishing touches to the product and I hope to ship the first batch this week. The User Manual will be on our web site in the next few days.

jstraw · Jun 24, 2008

RH Designs said:
Apologies for not getting to this sooner. I'd recommend using a water bath and placing the probe in that rather than attaching it to the tank. This is good practice anyway especially if you temper the chemicals in the bath as well prior to using them. Attaching the probe to the tank should work, but its effectiveness will depend on how good the contact between the probe and tank is, and how much insulation the attachment method provides. My first attempt with Blu-Tak failed miserably because I forgot that massaging the Blu-Tak before use heats it up significantly. The timer took off at high speed!

We're just putting the finishing touches to the product and I hope to ship the first batch this week. The User Manual will be on our web site in the next few days.

I'll be buying one of these. Richard, have you had them made with the keyholes for wall mounting? Are the LEDs dim enough to be film-safe?

RH Designs · Jun 24, 2008

jstraw said:
I'll be buying one of these. Richard, have you had them made with the keyholes for wall mounting? Are the LEDs dim enough to be film-safe?

No keyholes as standard, but we can add some if you want. The display should be OK provided the timer isn't next to your tray - I don't think there's enough light to bounce around significantly, but as I don't use sheet film I've not been able to test it. I'll ask Chris to do some experiments as he uses 5x4 now and then. Could you place the timer out of the way of the trays but where you can still see the display - on a shelf beneath your work surface for example? Come to think of it I loaded some rollfilm into a tank next to it last night and there's no evidence on the negs of any ill effects.

jstraw · Jun 24, 2008

RH Designs said:
No keyholes as standard, but we can add some if you want. The display should be OK provided the timer isn't next to your tray - I don't think there's enough light to bounce around significantly, but as I don't use sheet film I've not been able to test it. I'll ask Chris to do some experiments as he uses 5x4 now and then. Could you place the timer out of the way of the trays but where you can still see the display - on a shelf beneath your work surface for example? Come to think of it I loaded some rollfilm into a tank next to it last night and there's no evidence on the negs of any ill effects.

I could experiment wit location but this will probably go next to an existing Zone VI Compensating Timer. It could go in place of it but I already have it so I'm sure I'll keep it for timing something...washing perhaps. Something that is going on at the same time.

FWIW, the volume of the beep and the illumination of the display are both adjustable on the Zone VI. Even dialed all the way down, I find the display on it too bright when my eyes are accustomed to the darkness. I have a gel I put over it then.

RH Designs · Jun 24, 2008

jstraw said:
FWIW, the volume of the beep and the illumination of the display are both adjustable on the Zone VI. Even dialed all the way down, I find the display on it too bright when my eyes are accustomed to the darkness. I have a gel I put over it then.

We have two levels of brightness and the beep can be switched off but there's no volume control.

Les McLean · Jun 24, 2008

This may not be relevant but I have used the MkI version quite close to my 5 x 4 developing trays for some years without fogging film. Quite close is at eye level on the wall directly behind the tray in the wet bench which is just above waist level and about 30" from the timer.

RH Designs · Jun 25, 2008

Les McLean said:
This may not be relevant but I have used the MkI version quite close to my 5 x 4 developing trays for some years without fogging film. Quite close is at eye level on the wall directly behind the tray in the wet bench which is just above waist level and about 30" from the timer.

The MkII version is physically identical to the MkI so it's quite relevant! Thanks Les. This is a good time to remind owners of the MkI that upgrades will be available, although the details have yet to be finalised.

RH Designs · Jul 1, 2008

ProcessMaster II now shipping!

Yes, the first batch went out yesterday. There are still a few to go from the advance orders but they should be sent before the end of this week.

I've updated our web site with the latest information and specs, and you can now read the User Manual online.

hka · Jul 9, 2008

I looked carefully at the specs and saw to my surprice that the countdown time is set to 10 seconds? I'am correct?
My second question is about the ATC.
What about temperatures for processing C-41 and E-6 they all above the 35ºC. Is the ATC still working at that high degree?

RH Designs · Jul 9, 2008

hka said:
I looked carefully at the specs and saw to my surprice that the countdown time is set to 10 seconds? I'am correct?
My second question is about the ATC.
What about temperatures for processing C-41 and E-6 they all above the 35ºC. Is the ATC still working at that high degree?

Hi Harry,

Yes, it is back to 10 seconds again. I was unable to change Chris's mind on that one I'm afraid.

We don't recommend using ATC (automatic temperature compensation) with colour processes, they are designed to work at specific and accurately maintained temperatures and changing the temperature can adversely affect the results.

jstraw · Jul 12, 2008

Wait, there's a 10 second countdown for each step after you hit the footswitch? Or what?

RH Designs · Jul 13, 2008

jstraw said:
Wait, there's a 10 second countdown for each step after you hit the footswitch? Or what?

No, there is an audible countdown of the final ten seconds in a step, to prompt you to start pouring the chemicals out of the tank/tray/whatever.

jstraw · Jul 13, 2008

RH Designs said:
No, there is an audible countdown of the final ten seconds in a step, to prompt you to start pouring the chemicals out of the tank/tray/whatever.

Whew. That sounds good to me. What's the objection then?

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 13, 2008

jstraw said:
Whew. That sounds good to me. What's the objection then?

What do you do if you have a tank that takes longer to dump (like the Nikor sheet film tank, for example)? Well, what you do is adjust the time for each step to compensate, but it might be nice to have a variable countdown time. Of course if it's a daylight tank, you can just look at the timer readout.

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