Nova Slot Processor Running a bit Hot

I got a 2nd hand Nova Slot processor recently. The temp settings don't seem totally correct. I had it basically turned all the way down so I could process Ansco 130 at 70F, and it heated my chemicals up to 80 in the center tank. Then when I was testing with just water for RA4 temps, it was a bit low (though I had room to move on the dial so I could presumably just keep going up in steps until I get to the correct temp).

For the 'running hot' issue, I just unplugged the unit and started processing at 75F, nbd. Any ideas?

So just to be clear you turned your dial down as far as you can and it still heated the central slot ( I presume you measured the slot in which you had the chemical or do you mean the water jacket that surrounds the slots?)
I have a 4 slot Nova so the first slot is the crucial one for developer temp and while the temp dial is not 100% accurate I can turn it down to a measured temp of about 20C(68F) . My tank temp may well be above my slot temp given the loss in heat transference from the water in the tank to the developer in the dev slot

I have a feeling that what I am hearing you say and what you are actually saying may be two different things in terms of tanks v slots so a more detailed explanation of this might help

Not wishing to insult your intelligence but what is the ambient temp in the darkroom? Once I have been in there for more than maybe 30 mins the shear presence of a human body expending energy thus heat is enough to raise the room temp to 70 or usually above so in the course of a printing session I can end up with a slot temp that is a little above 70F

pentaxuser

I measured the water jacket from the drainage holes, which were about 80F. My darkroom is generally cool, hence the slot processor. But yeah last night it was a bit warmer because I had been working in the space all day with a heater going. Probably not much more than 70F though... When I filled the units the water temp was very cold, especially the jacket water. It is currently coming out of my taps in the 40s.

I'll try again soon with the processor turned all the way down.

Measure and monitor the temps in the developer slot. Is your unit 120 or is it a 220 that you are using with a voltage converter ?

It's a 120 unit with a standard American plug. Right now I have the processor oriented to me with the drain and controller on my left hand side. Wouldn't that make the first slot to me the developer slot?

According to my instructions it's normal for the middle slot to run a bit hotter, which is find since in my system it will always be a stop bath.

I think the only important temp is the one in the first slot i.e. the developer slot and there with the kind of temperature you have in the darkroom itself, it should be possible to get the slot down to 70F if the thermostat is running as it is designed to.

However if it is running at say 72 or even 74F is this a problem with Ansco 130? Most print developers will still be fine at 74 or even higher but I have no knowledge of how critical the temp is for Ansco

pentaxuser

pentaxuser said:

I think the only important temp is the one in the first slot i.e. the developer slot and there with the kind of temperature you have in the darkroom itself, it should be possible to get the slot down to 70F if the thermostat is running as it is designed to.

However if it is running at say 72 or even 74F is this a problem with Ansco 130? Most print developers will still be fine at 74 or even higher but I have no knowledge of how critical the temp is for Ansco

pentaxuser

Click to expand...

I think based on what I've read that the glycin in Ansco 130 wants to be in the 70s. So I'm guessing 70-75 isn't much of an issue and that I'm developing to completion.

Running it today from cold with the dial all the way down. It's running at 75F. Guess that's my processing temp for B&W. *Shrug*

NortheastPhotographic said:

Running it today from cold with the dial all the way down. It's running at 75F. Guess that's my processing temp for B&W. *Shrug*

Click to expand...

Well Ilford MG developer instructions give a range of 68-75 F so you should be OK and not worth trying to get into the workings of the thermostat to try and do anything about it IMO

pentaxuser

75F will work fine. I have a little Jobo Duolab, has 4 slots, the coolest setting is 24C/75F. It does seem weird that the machine won't hold 20°C? Especially in a cool room?
Here's a bit of overkill, but it holds temperature. It should, full it weighs 150 lbs

That’s a nice looking beast.