Retrofitting an Aristo V54 lamp into a ZoneVI head?

jstraw · Jan 30, 2007

First, let me apologize. I've been guilty of perpetuating the myth that the older, round, Zone VI heads sold for use on Beseler MXT enlargers were OEM'd by Aristo. After talking to Aristo, I'm prepared to believe them, based on there vehemence in not only denying it, but in their expressed regret that Fred Picker is no longer alive to be sued.

Aristo currently sells a high output and a low output version of the lamps for the canister (D2) type heads. You can see that the "lo" has three "loops" and the "hi" has four:

http://aristogrid.com/prod02CB_D2.D2-HI.htm

The Zone VI had three also. But the person I spoke with told me that the "hi" is the more appropriate replacement because it's better suited to the Zone VI ballast. I was alos told that I may have to either drill new...or enlarge existing holes to accomodate the Aristo lamp.

Has anyone here actually performed the retrofit of an Aristo lamp into a Zone VI head?

Matthew Gorringe · Feb 3, 2007

Please let us know how you go, I'll be making a similar replacement soon and would like to know which model lamp works and whether installation was a pain.

erikg · Feb 3, 2007

I did this very thing. I put the high intensity V54 lamp into a Zone VI head about 5 years ago. I didn't have to drill anything, it was a pretty easy and straightforward change out. It has performed great. I don't recall the exact model number, but I just went by what Aristo recommended in any case.

jstraw · Feb 3, 2007

erikg said:
I did this very thing. I put the high intensity V54 lamp into a Zone VI head abou 5 years ago. I didn't have to drill anything, it was a pretty easy and straightforward change out. It has performed great. I don't recall the exact model number, but I just went by what Aristo recommended in any case.

That's VERY good to hear, Erik. They recommended the D2-HI-V54. As far as I know, the high intensity version isn't sold by vendors like B&H and Calumet...just Aristo and it's a bit more expensive.

erikg · Feb 3, 2007

I got mine right from them. I was a little nervous about the whole thing, as you might be Michael, but the guy I talked to there gave me enough info to do it. I'm not sure what you would have to drill, maybe the collar so you could switch the head out more easily? I don't know, I have the condenser head still, but I think I have only switched it once, and that didn't seem too hard. If you can afford it, go for it. I have the stabilizer/timer as well and that is a big help.

jstraw · Feb 3, 2007

I have the stabilizer and timer too. I plan to retire the timer when I get my StopClock Pro but will still use the stabilizer when I make that switch.

The suggestion of possible drilling or cutting had to do with the possibility that the "legs" (for a lack of the technical name) of the Aristo lamp may not line up with the Zone VI holes.

Aristo is adamant that they didn't OEM the Zone VI units. Somehow I doubt Fred Picker was bending those lamp tubes in his barn. I wonder who the heck actually *made* these things.

Curt · Feb 4, 2007

It sounds strange that Aristo, a company which makes the tubes, can't make a replacement, instead requires drilling into the original equipment. That's a bit like getting a new muffler for your car and being told that a new hole will have to be drilled into the body. This is why industries disappear, shear lack of interest and ability.

erikg · Feb 4, 2007

Perhaps there were variations in the Zone VI housing over the years, but I did not have to drill anything to get the lamp to fit in mine. Who knows where Fred got these lamps made, maybe Richard Ritter could offer some insight? I'm sure Aristo would love to sell these things like muffflers, but I doubt the numbers are there. As I said, I found them to be very helpful, and the retrofit to be quite simple.

Christiaan Phleger · Feb 4, 2007

Same here, same replacement of bulb in the Zone unit. No drilling or modifying needed, in fact the only thing I remember about it was that I thought it was going to be much harder to do it and when I was done thinking, That was Easy.
Really great support from Aristo, and the bulb works fantastic, replaced it about 4-5 years ago, now my contrast spacing is much more consistent, and I have to dial down the bulb to get realistic printing times (10 sec 5.6 for 8x10) which then makes 16x20s a breeze, no longer having 3-5 min exposures.
When I build my new darkroom I plan on getting the Aristo Safelight from them, I worked in a newspaper darkroom that had one and the bulb never burned out ever, like 10+ years, nearly full time use. Amazing, its like a red neon bulb.

Retrofitting an Aristo V54 lamp into a ZoneVI head?

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