Using a Durst Labotim 240v, on American power?

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

So I recently got an Omega Dichroic II Enlarging setup, and it didn't come with a power supply or anything. So i bought one from the US as it was the only one i could find and i am impatient. With that, i bought a 240v to 120v step-down transformer to be able to use this power supply. On the back of the power supply, however, the timer plugs are (obviously) US plugs, and me being a young Australian, doesn't own any US plugged darkroom timers, but instead now have a Durst Labotim that came with the enlarger. Is it possible to simply use a plug converter to use the timer? or will the timer either not work or be damaged from having to draw more current or something?
Can the Durst Labotim be switched to be able to use 120v power?
Cheers,
Oscar

Leigh B · Jan 23, 2017

Hi Oscar,

What's the frequency of your AC service in Australia?
It should be either 50Hz or 60Hz.

You need to match the frequency shown on the product label on the Labotim.
Otherwise the times will be wrong.

You change the voltage between 240 volts and 120 volts (either way) quite easily.
But you cannot change the line frequency. It is what it is.

- Leigh

Mick Fagan · Jan 23, 2017

Australia is 50Hz.

Mick.

Mick Fagan · Jan 23, 2017

Hmm, I'm not a sparkie, but thinking a bit out loud here.

I understand that the power supply is running everything, so could you not use the timer to supply the power from the get go, with everything running after the timer?

Mick.

Ps: welcome to APUG, where in Australia are you? We may be able to find someone who could open up some things to fiddle. (correctly)

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

Thanks Leigh,
it seems that the Omega power supply is between 50 and 60 hertz, and both my labotim and baeuerle bs782 say 50hertz. Does this mean i could use them both? I'm not to good at electronics, even beginner is an overstatement..
How could i go about changing the voltage? Would it require a transformer of some sort? or could i run it how it is?
Cheers, Oscar

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

Cheers Mick!
that was my original thought, but seeing as the power supply has a timer input and output, i figured it was designed to be used that way, but I'm always up for bending the rules a little. When it arrives, i could give that a go.
I am located in Evans Head, NSW,
AKA the blackspot for local camera gear
Thanks again,
Oscar

Leigh B · Jan 23, 2017

Oscar Brown said:
Thanks Leigh,
it seems that the Omega power supply is between 50 and 60 hertz, and both my labotim and baeuerle bs782 say 50hertz. Does this mean i could use them both?

Hi Oscar,

If Oz power is 50 Hz, as stated above, then yes, the Omega, Labotim, and Baeuerie (whatever that is) will all work properly at that frequency, including the proper times.

You may need a transformer to convert the line voltage.
What are the rated voltages on their nameplates?

- Leigh

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

Both of the timers say 240v
- Oscar

Leigh B · Jan 23, 2017

Hi Oscar,

I had missed the nameplate photos previously. Sorry.

You can plug either of the timers into your regular wall outlet and they will work properly.

The issue we have is the Omega unit, because it wants 120 volts.
The timers put out 240 volts, which would burn out the Omega if connected directly.

The proper solution is a transformer designed to reduce 240-volt power to 120 volts.
These are very common products, often sold to tourists so they can use their US stuff in Oz.

I'm sure you can find such online or in any store that carries products for tourists.

But be careful. There's a wide range of quality available for such goods.
You might want to go to a professional company that sells to commercial electricians.

Transformers here in the US are rated in Volt-Amperes (VAs) rather than Watts.
The numbers are the same. So your 300-Watt Omega is also a 300 VA Omega.

The transformer needs to be rated higher than the load to run reliably without heating.
I would suggest a rating of 500VA.

So you want a transformer rated 240 volts in, 120 volts out, 500 VA, continuous duty.
The continuous duty rating just means it won't burn up if you use it heavily.
It also disqualifies some of the real cheap tourist junk.

You plug the transformer into the timer, and the Omega into the transformer.
A commercial transformer should have the proper connectors for both.

- Leigh

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

thank you Leigh! that was my original planning. I shall order a transformer now. Thank you!
Does it matter if the power supply get turned on and off continually with the timer?
Anyways,
Thank you!
Oscar

Leigh B · Jan 23, 2017

Oscar Brown said:
Does it matter if the power supply get turned on and off continually with the timer?

Hi Oscar,

Yes, it does.

I thought the Omega was the actual light source in the enlarger.

If it's something that runs continuously, with the light being turned on and off by a switch, then we need to connect things differently.

In this case you would plug the transformer into the wall and the Omega into the transformer.

I would suggest using an outlet that's controlled by a wall switch so you can turn the Omega on and off with that switch. That removes power from the transformer when it's not in use, thus making it happier.

Now the question is how the light actually gets turned on to make the exposure.
I can't answer that. It should plug into the outlet on the timer.

Do you have a manual for the Omega unit with that information?

- Leigh

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

I dont, but the power supply has two outlets on the back of it for an american plug timer, a timer in and a timer out. I was wondering if i could just use a travel adapter, and plug my 240v timer into the output on the back of the supply and another travel adapter to plug the other cord from the timer into the input plug, next to the output one.

Oscar Brown · Jan 23, 2017

Here is an image of the back of the Power supply,

and here is a little diagram i whipped up to hopefully help explain it all,
Now, my thoughts are i plug the 240v to 120v transformer into the wall, which the american plugged power supply gets plugged into.
The enlarger plugs into the special 6 prong plug on the back of the power supply (C)

A US to AUS travel adapter (1) is plugged into the "To Timer" plug (A) , which i then plug my timer into

From the timer, i then use an AU to US travel adapter (2) to plug the other cord from the timer into the "From Timer" plug. (B)

In theory, if the timer can work off 120v, this should work fine.

The only issue is, is a step up transformer from 120v to 240v needed in space 1, (circled in red),
and is another step-down transformer from 240v to 120v needed in space 2 (also circled in red)

Im sorry if this doesn't make much sense, but i have explained it the best way i know how,
Cheers,
Oscar

AgX · Jan 23, 2017

Travel adapters often are of suspicious origin.
Typically they should withstand 10A and have some sturdiness.

Better would be to have your set-up rewired.

You also show as well 2-pin as 3-pin connectors. If your enlarger set-up is of the 3-pin kind, you must use a 3-pin adapter and a 3-pin transformer and also your wall socket must have 3-pins.

Johnkpap · Jan 31, 2017

Hi this might help

I saw a similar setup in a prolab many years ago controlling a Qmega D3 runing on 120 volts......imer was on 240 volts the D3 was on 120 volts, the timer controlled the Enlarger via a isolation Relay, they did this as the D3 kept blowing bulbs when they tried switching the 240v to 120 volt transformer, they were also getting colour shifts. The relay fixed the problem because the contacts switched the 120v after 240v- 120v transformer and the relay was powered by the timer on 240v, a relay does not draw a lot of current.....no more colour shifts and bulb blowing

johnkpap

Using a Durst Labotim 240v, on American power?

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