atl 1000 problem yet again...

[numnutz]

Hi - I have just processed three batches of B&W film in the Atl 1000. First set of films cam out OK! so whoop whoop processed the next lot and the processor missed out the fix - I did hear that no fix was poured out after the 6 minutes so quickly removed the tank and filled it with pre-mixed fixer so the second batch was OK. However with the third batch the machine missed out the developer so ruining one sheet of 10 x 8 film. After that I ran some processing tests just using water with no film. the result wast that on many occasions the chemicals were not being blown into the tank. I blocked the filler hole on each of the little bottles with a cork and found that the pump mechanism was working perfectly. It seems that the little lids are not airtight - I have replaced the seals with new ones supplied by the person I purchased the machine from but the lids still seem to randomly leak air. I was thinking of replacing all the lids with rubber bungs (chemical resistant Laboratory grade).

Has anyone done this? Will there be any problems? As it is the machine is unusable because of its unreliability.

Can anyone suggest another method of ensuring an airtight lid?

Thanks in advance

nn

[Joanna Carter]

I haven't encountered that problem.

Just a thought - there is a little spring loaded rod on top of each the bottles which should be pressed upon by the overall lid; try temporarily sticking some self-adhesive rubber (or similar) on the lid, immediately above where the rods would touch it. I could be that the bottle tops will seal when under pressure but the lid is not applying the pressure.

[Dave Dawson]

Empty all chemicals from bottles and force them under the water jacket one by one when it is their turn to 'pump'. Look for air bubbles.

One of the bottles on my ATL-2+ was driving me mad......Replaced both grommets, still leaked....Did above and found the air was leaking on the bottle threads. Nothing 18 inches of ptfe tape around the thread didn't fix!

Cheers Dave