Pyrocat MC problem

Back in July I bought some Pyrocat MC in Glycol from the Formulary. This week I finally had a chance to use it & had serious problems. The film - HP% in 4x5 - comes out almost blank. There's a very faint image there, but not enough to be printable. I noticed that when I emptied the Jobo 3010 drum that the developer was extremely dark brown in color. I checked the part A in the bottle & it's a little dark, too. I shot some of the same box of film with the same camera settings & developed it in freshly mixed D-76h. The negatives look fine. Anyone have an idea on what may have happened?

Do you use distilled water? Do you let the developer sit around for a while after mixing it? If so you shouldn't. How long are you developing it?

You should contact the Formulary, that's not normal.

I don't use MC but I have made up HC with deionised water and also Glycol for a few years now. Even in water it lasts well over a year and that's in a part full bottle as it gets used up. Having said that the grade of plastic bottle is important my very first batch was in small lab sample bottle and Part A was going off in less than 6 months.

Now I'm very particular what bottle I use.

Ian

I use distilled water & mix it during the 2 minute film presoak. One thing I do wonder about - is it possible part A could separate after sitting on the shelf for a few months? I pull what I need from the bottle with a small syringe, so if there is, I'm only getting what's on the top. Doubtful, I know, but I'm trying to eliminate all possibilities. I'll try shaking both bottles before drawing any off & see if that makes any difference.

I had a similar problem with the mc I bought from the formulary..maybe put the a solution into a glass bottle might help....otherwise purchase a hotplate stirrer and the chems to make it yourself
I have NEVER had a failure from my the pyro MC I homebrewed
Best, Peter

Similar problem here with homebrew. First use was fine and very encouraging. Second film not long after was blank. I was never happy dissolving the metol with even a small amount of water.

It's unlikely it's an issue with the Metol itself there's not much there in the first place, if you left it out you'd still get an image. It sounds like something's happening to the Pyrocatechin.

Ian