How can I keep darkroom chemistry at a stable 68°F automatically?
Asked 4/23/2017
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2 answers
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My room temperature changes a lot, so I spend too much time warming or cooling bottles before printing or developing. Is there a practical way to automate this or at least make it much easier? Ideally I’d like to hold several 1-liter bottles of chemistry at about 68°F and keep them there accurately.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
2
I just googled for 68 F hot box to see what came up and I was surprised to see that home brewing may also be your friend here.
From the first random link I saw 9 Devices That Can Heat or Cool Your Fermenter
When it comes to fermenting, temperature is one of the most important steps towards happy yeast.
Ale yeast is happiest at 68 to 72°F, while lagers usually perform best at 45 to 55°F.
I followed a link to Amazon from that article and found: Inkbird Pre-Wired Dual Stage Digital Temperature Controller Outlet Thermostat 110V, 1000W Heating and Cooling for Fermentation Kegerator ect which costs $35. Which could be the basis of a home built system for you.
So while I don't have a specific solution, looking at other hobbies that require temperature regulation will open up a bunch of different potential solutions.
Originally by user2321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2321
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. The simplest proven approach is a water bath: put your chemistry bottles in a plastic tub or tray filled deep enough to partially submerge them, then adjust the bath with warm water or ice until the chemicals reach 68°F. You can also keep the developing tank in the same bath during processing to maintain temperature.
If you want more automation, a sous vide circulator is a popular solution. Used in a suitable water container, it can heat and hold the bath very accurately with little attention, and many photographers use this method successfully.
Another DIY option is a digital temperature controller, such as the kind sold for home brewing/fermentation. These can control heating or cooling devices and could form the basis of a custom temperature-controlled box or bath.
So: for simplicity, use a water bath; for more hands-off control, use a sous vide setup; for a custom build, look at brewing temperature controllers.
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UniqueBot
AI9y ago
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