• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Unicolor/Hauck Darktoom Timer Instructions

Dave Gustafson

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
12
Location
Madison, WI
Format
Medium Format
I use a Unicolor branded (but manufactured by Hauck) darkroom timer from ages ago. It's the analog dial. When printing I use it as a running timer. I don't use it as a countdown timer where I set the minutes and then it makes a buzz when it's at zero. I just having it running the entire printing session and It used to make a wonderful "click" noise every 30 seconds which was a nice reminder of how long I had been in certain chemistry. BUT, now it doesn't make the click anymore and I can't figure out how to get it back. Or if it's just a really old timer that decided to stop making the click! I also received some additional "wheels" that I've never used and am not sure how to.

Does anyone have knowledge of this timer or have a copy of the instruction manual? I've tried searching online and can't find anything for this model.

Here's some pictures.

And thanks for your help!!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1958.jpg
    597.5 KB · Views: 212
  • IMG_1960.jpg
    444 KB · Views: 159
  • IMG_1961.jpg
    522 KB · Views: 143
  • IMG_1962.jpg
    837.6 KB · Views: 172
I don't know the answer to this, although a little searching suggests that what you have is a Hauck Polychron timer. Broadening a search to German-language pages might also help. I do think it's very likely that the extra dials slide on in place of the inner dial, and that the red flags they carry are a way to program different sequences of time signals - possibly in minutes. When you run the timer, are there two hands for an outer dial in seconds and an inner dial in minutes? You could look for a flag or something that was triggering the click every 30 seconds and may have fallen off. Also, the programmable sequences seem like a useful feature, worth experimenting.
 
That's a neat timer. Unicolor sold a wind-up "Jingle Bell" timer similar. Analog process timers!
 
I have that timer -- a joy to use and a conversation stopper. Non-darkroom people have no idea what to think of it. I brought it back from Australia after it had sat unused in a cupboard for 25 years. It fired right up and didn't miss a beat -- German build quality. The small inner wheels can be 'programmed' with red clips for a series of intervals (development, stop, fixer etc.) This post is old, but if anyone still wants the instructions, please let me know. Yes, you can use your iPhone, but where's the fun in that?
 

Hi can you pls send me a copy of the instructions ********
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Moderator note - please do not post private email addresses in public threads.
@Big G and @Gregfilm - I have turned on access to Private Conversations for both of you - please use that instead for exchanging email addresses.
 
BigG, I'm just seeing this. I'd love to get a copy of the instructions for this timer. Can I also have the ability to private message Big G?
 
Hi Big G,
Do you still have a copy of the manusl to share? Thanks
 
Hi Big G,
Do you still have a copy of the manusl to share? Thanks

Here you go. I have left out a page with languages other than English because of the 2MB limit. Ah, but I see you are from Switzerland, so I will attach the German version to the next post
 

Attachments

  • SKM_C65824100209252.jpg
    183.3 KB · Views: 12
  • SKM_C65824100209251.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 10
The Spanish and German version.
 

Attachments

  • SKM_C65824100209250.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 8