Replacing the Pad on the Ilford 500

[Rmaydana]

Replacing the Pad on the Ilford 500

I’ve got an Ilford 500, and the pad is pretty worn out. What are my options for replacing it? Thanks!

 

[Lachlan Young]

Is it an electronic or cosmetic failure? There might be a very few replacement pads out there (though those that I know who have them are hanging on to them in case their current MG500 control pads fail), there are complete controllers (the main power box is often where the failures are rather than head or controller) and various aftermarket options that tend strongly towards splitgrade - RH Designs/ Secondhand Darkroom and Heiland. There are LED options too if you want to replace the whole system at various price points.

 

[Rmaydana]

If there are several options, one is to stick to the Ilford model and replace the pad. I know that over time, the parts start to fail; in this case, the controller. It could be the power supply or the filters, or the command for the upper fan, which is an integrated Intel component. Going for newer parts is the right path or the option that will give me at least another 10 years. By Heiland, I discarded it because the cost exceeds my budget. Something from RH is more accessible, or switching everything to LED; in this case, I've only seen Heiland's product and have no idea if there are other brands or market options.

TK

 

[koraks]

I've only seen Heiland's product and have no idea if there are other brands or market options.

Intrepid has a LED light source which is OK for black &white printing. A little controller comes with it. Don't expect the kind of experience that went into the Ilford 500 design, though.

What's the "pad" on the 500?

 

[MattKing]

What's the "pad" on the 500?

The touch "pad" on the face of the controller unit:

 

[koraks]

Thanks @MattKing, I suspected it might be keypad he's referring to. I could also imagine the entire building block (housing, cable, all internals) being referred to as 'the pad'. Personally, if the keypad on that one would give me problems, I'd open it up and clean it. It's most likely just dirt/grime. Possibly a microswitch or two will need to be replaced; it's a matter of finding a suitable replacement based on dimensions and then maybe do some force-fitting, dremeling and other creativity to get the job done.

 

[MattKing]

Those pads wear physically - I've seen more than one where the repeated use over many years has worn off the text on the pads and left them unreliable and uncertain in use.
These controllers and light sources were priced for heavy duty commercial use, and they were used that way.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, the foil and the print/stickers tends to wear out. I used to own one of those; it was in good nick, but I can see how it might be physically damaged. However, in that case, it's also possible to repair the unit although it'll never look like new.