pcs 2000 paterson

[mandocaster]

I bought an EL nikkor 80mm f.5.6 N today, and the seller basically threw in the enlarger, $50 for both. Plugging it in caused the controller to light up, but nothing on the enlarger. Anyone have a manual scanned?

 

[Mike Bates]

I have the Philips PCS 150 "Tri One" enlarger, which is essentially the same enlarger but with an older model controller. It's a very nice enlarger.

The first thing to check is the standby/focus/adjust switch. In Standby mode, the enlarger lamps aren't lit but it is ready to make an exposure with the Start button. Focus mode turns all three lamps on 100% for bright focusing. The Adjust mode turns on the lamps at their specified intensities for metering with a color analyzer and such.

Be aware there are different condensers for different size negatives. The manual has a table for that.

Send me your email address by PM and I'll send you the scanned PCS 150 Tri One manual.

(Edited to correct the standby mode description.)

 

[mandocaster]

I haven't figured out how to pull the top off to check the bulbs. The pcs 150 manual said to remove 2 coin slot screws on the underside of the head. There were 2 tiny screws there, but the top wouldn't come free.

 

[Mike Bates]

On the PCS 150, the two screws are on the bottom side of the lamp house, just above the focusing knobs. Removing these two screws allow the top of the lamp house to lift off.

 

[mandocaster]

As it turns out, the top just pops off. There is a little clip on top of the bulb assembly that holds the top on.

In any case, still no light. I tried the focus setting. The controller lights up, so I figure the power supply is ok. There is no obvious break in any of the leads. I feel like I'm just being dumb, somehow.

 

[RPC]

I think the enlargers are different and not just the controllers. I have a PCS 150 which is a tri-color condenser enlarger and I believe the PCS 2000 is a tri-color diffusion enlarger.

Were you told that it worked?

 

[mandocaster]

I was told that the guy bought it new and never used it. It is no huge deal if it's DOA, but I'm hoping to diagnose the issue.

 

[Mike Bates]

Perhaps I made a bad assumption that the PCS 150 and the PCS 2000 were very similar. I hope I didn't steer anyone too far astray.

 

[mandocaster]

Thanks for the info. There were two little screws in the same place as those in your picture, but they anchor the bulb assembly.

 

[mandocaster]

I see there is a yahoo tri color group. I requested membership last week but no response so far. I was hoping there would be something in their archives (that I can't access now) that might help. Anyone here familiar with the group?

 

[John Koehrer]

Have you checked the voltage to the sockets? Also stored for years there may be corrosion in the lamp holders or on the pins of the lamps themselves.

 

[Fordmondeo]

I have an original manual pcs 2000 it was with my enlarger when I bought it.
Do you still need help?

 

[mandocaster]

No thanks. I bought a reprint. I have to do some diagnostics on why the head is not getting juice. It seems unlikely that the three basically unused bulbs would be out. I suspect the controller might have been yanked or something. The connections will require disassembly of the head and controller. Yuck, but I hate to toss the enlarger.

 

[Fordmondeo]

Do you own the 6 X 6 diffuser box?
If so, I have a couple of questions.

 

[mandocaster]

Woo hoo! I fixed the problem. It was simpler than I could have imagined. The enlarger had been in storage for many years near Galveston, Texas, i.e. near the Gulf of Mexico. The pins on all three bulbs were corroded. After I cleaned them up, it works fine.

I do have the 6X6 diffusion box. What can I do for you?

 

[Fordmondeo]

I need to covert my 35mm diffusion box to 6 X 6 and could really do with knowing the wall thickness of the expanded polystyrene inside.
As far as I can see, the metal housings are the same for both formats.
If you could take a picture of the diffusion material that would be cool.

My thanks in advance.