[andimill]

So I dislike hanging around my exposure unit when Im burning screens. If each screen takes me 2 minutes and I do 10 screens, I just wasted 20 minutes of my day/life. haha.

I'm unsure if it is wise to post instructions on how to do this, as some people should not be playing with electricity, however, I'm putting this video in, to demonstrate what is possible and those interested can obtain all the relevant information from the Internet.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5CKjpNhkuo[/media]

Hope you dig it.
Andrew

 

[Screenanator]

HMMMMMMM.......just might be upgrading the ole exposure unit....I HATE the twist dial on ours.......

 

[nation03]

Haha this is awesome. I must modify mine now.

 

[taricp35]

wow I guess if you have a spare microwave lying around otherwise you could have just went to home depot and picked up one of those wired timers for like $15 like everyone else.

 

[andimill]

wow I guess if you have a spare microwave lying around otherwise you could have just went to home depot and picked up one of those wired timers for like $15 like everyone else.

Well yeah, but what increments does that timer offer? Im betting not too many options, as it's made for lighting applications for your house. Definitely not to the second, and definitely not for free. Everyone has access to a free microwave, they are all over craigslist.

However as I mentioned, not everyone should do this, it's just an effective solution for me and perhaps some others. Either way Im stoked!

As a side note, the a microwave oven also will almost always contain a 110 - 120v AC fan with included plastic shroud that can be used for many purposes in the darkroom as well.

-a.

 

[taricp35]

Yes they do have increments in seconds, but they don't have the casserole option though if that's what you are meaning by not having too many options, but like I said if you have a spare microwave then hey more power to you. You are stoked so that is all that matters.

 

[andimill]

I didn't know they had those, and 15 is a good price for that type of convenience. I had looked before, but no luck. Im in Canada, but I doubt that would mean that there is a shortage of such a product at home depot. What I also like about this one is that it is programmable. Meaning that it's one touch operation for things like, "fine detail", "water-based", "thick emulsion" and so on. I 'll relabel the buttons accordingly once I've fit it into my exposure unit.

 

[macmiller]

that's pretty dang cool! I've been using the timer on my phone and it just went off as i was watching this!

If there was a way to make an electronically controlled shutter for a metal halide that would be cool. I can't just turn mine on and off.

 

[andimill]

You could, with a servo attached to a timer that would open when you wanted it too. The size you'd need would depend on your Shutter size, and perhaps you'd need to run two timer like this one as I can't imagine anyway to have it control more then one operation at a time.

Here's more information on servos then anyone should ever know. Servomechanism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

a.

 

[BillyV]

very cool... time to hit the thrift store...

 

[Thredz]

I just "gutted" an old microwave I got for free on Craigslist. I was able to remove the control panel and I removed the ribbon cable from the PCB. I'm not sure where to go from here. Do I use the existing fuse? Do I hook up the electric line directly to the power leads on the ribbon/PCB? There is what looks like a transformer and maybe a solenoid connected to the power. Are these needed?

I have the original block diagram for the microwave. It was tucked into the inside of the panel. I am fairly good at electronics, plus I have an electrician in the family who can help.

Do you have any schematics or details on what to hook up (or not to hook up)? What about the light and turntable connections?

A lot of questions, I know. I want to use this method as it's essentially free and it will definitely work.

Thanks,
Kevin - Thredz

 

[jimbo-lira]

can put the diagram as it did

 

[outbreak]

That is freakin' cool!