Nova darkroom Novatronic heater

[ZachInIsrael]

Does anyone have any experience with the Novatronic Heater. I was thinking of getting one to develop E-6 at home. Finding a good lab here in Israel is getting harder so I am looking for a good home solution.

 

[Dave Miller]

I haven't, but when I tried E6 I used an aquarium heater because I didn't know that a special one existed. It worked ok.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Is there anyone here who has used this?

 

[keeds]

I've just got one from ebay second hand to help with dissolving chemicals. Not used it yet though. It has a heating element and a separate temperature probe and a dial to set the temp. Looks simple enough...

 

[Mike Wilde]

Valid concept

I have a bit bulkier set up - a wing lynch automated film rolls in a tube processor. It keeps the chemistry at 102F (or wheatever you have tweaked each separate tank to) on it's own, but relies on an incoming water supply to temper the tube itself, and for wash cycles.

I would go broke if I had to keep the hot water running on for the length of time the thing wants me to, even at a trickle, so I built a work around.

I had an unused small roller b&w processor, and I scavenged the heater, thermostat and pump out of it. Along with a good sized jug to act as a reservoir, and after a bit of water and drain reconnections, I now have a recirculating temperature controlled water jacket for the processing trough. Works like a charm.

For c-41 for many years I procesed in stainless steel spirals and tanks that were tempered, along with the chemistry, by a fish tank heater and pump running in a 10 litre lunchmate sized cooler.