Phototherm Model 14 tempering bath

Wayne · Dec 2, 2020

I got one that I haven't used yet. The pump is very strong causing turbulence in the tank. Is that normal? anybody else still have one of these and have that issue? I'm thinking of attaching a perforated tube to distribute the output more diffusely, but I don't want to cause too much backpressure and damage the pump either.

Wayne · Dec 9, 2020

well it may not matter now. It worked one time and now it doesn't even heat so the turbulence isn't a big concern...

btaylor · Dec 10, 2020

I had the same exact experience! Bought a cheap bucket heater and use the circulated water for my tempering bath. Very disappointing!

Wayne · Dec 10, 2020

The good news is, it seems to be a wiring problem in my house. Apparently the polarity is reversed or the ground isn't grounded in my darkroom, and it just didn't like that. I took it back in the bathroom and it worked fine again. The bad news is I have to get that fixed.

MattKing · Dec 10, 2020

Wayne said:
The good news is, it seems to be a wiring problem in my house. Apparently the polarity is reversed or the ground isn't grounded in my darkroom, and it just didn't like that. I took it back in the bathroom and it worked fine again. The bad news is I have to get that fixed.

And the really good news is that you found out about a wiring problem in your house - before it caused damage or injury!
Hope it can be fixed easily, at reasonable cost.

Wayne · Dec 13, 2020

And the best news is I was able to figure out that I had reversed polarity and no ground in my wet darkroom...which is kind of important...and was able to fix it.

The turbulence is still there though, but with larger bottles it doesn't really matter much. Will have to figure out something for smaller, lighter bottles. The manual recommends floating styrofoam lids with bottle cutouts so I may see if that helps.

Ed Sawyer · Dec 15, 2020

I have one of these and a floating styrofoam lid with bottle cutouts is exactly what I used. it worked well but half-empty bottles would still tend to float/wobble, but that is not only due to the turbulence but also just the nature of the floatation of the bath itself with a less-than-half-full bottle. Glass bottles would probably have less of an issue with that.

Wayne · Dec 15, 2020

Ed Sawyer said:
I have one of these and a floating styrofoam lid with bottle cutouts is exactly what I used. it worked well but half-empty bottles would still tend to float/wobble, but that is not only due to the turbulence but also just the nature of the floatation of the bath itself with a less-than-half-full bottle. Glass bottles would probably have less of an issue with that.

Good to know, thanks. It works really well, and maintains temperature within .1-.2 degree F.

I noticed that the power unit also has "with level control" printed in the upper right and >check water level< on the lower left side of the top.

I have no idea what those mean, do you. It came with a short manual that says nothing about either. I sure don't see any way it can control the leveling of the unit or the water level. There is a water level sensor below which which it supposedly won't work.

gordrob · Dec 15, 2020

The unit is designed not to turn the heater on unless it is plugged in to a properly wired 3-hole receptacle. On my unit there is a 4" plastic tube attached to the output port on the pump that helps to push the water around the tube and ensures the heated water is properly circulated so the water temperature is even throughout the tub. If you are doing some electrical work in your darkroom to fix the grounding on your plug, you should take the opportunity to install a ground fault circuit interrupter if you don't already have one.

Wayne · Dec 15, 2020

gordrob said:
The unit is designed not to turn the heater on unless it is plugged in to a properly wired 3-hole receptacle. On my unit there is a 4" plastic tube attached to the output port on the pump that helps to push the water around the tube and ensures the heated water is properly circulated so the water temperature is even throughout the tub. If you are doing some electrical work in your darkroom to fix the grounding on your plug, you should take the opportunity to install a ground fault circuit interrupter if you don't already have one.

That's all been fixed. It will not heat without a grounded outlet.

Mine is also as you described.

Phototherm Model 14 tempering bath

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