Aristo head heater -- leave plugged in?

[Sanders McNew]

I am setting up an Omega D2 with an Aristo cold light head. The light plugs into the timer, of course. The second cord -- for the heater -- can I just plug it into the wall and forget about it? Or is there a reason to unplug it at the end of the day?

Thanks in advance for replies.

Best,

Sanders McNew

www.mcnew.net

[Jerry Flynn]

I plug both into a surge protector strip -- not that I'm concerned with power surges, just that it's easy to switch both off at the end of a session. I do not think it is a good idea to leave the heater plugged in -- that would leave it on all the time hastening the end of its useful life.

[Steve Feldman]

S.,

I do the same as Jerry. 45MXT plugs into a power strip, mounted on the wall, that controls the enlarger motor, head heater, and safelight. Just for convenience.

[Eric Woodbury]

Don't leave the heater on when you're not using the lamp. It's just a resistive heater, but if the thermostat were to go south, it could get quite hot.

[Donald Qualls]

Also, if the heater is running full time, you're paying to have the heater heat your darkroom full time -- this is the wrong time of year for that, first, and second, even in winter, your regular heating system is most likely more efficient. Burning energy unnecessarily is not only wasting money, it's adding to America's dependence on imported fuels (he said, while sitting at a computer that runs 24/7 -- don't take this last TOO seriously).

Plug the heater in fifteen minutes before you're ready to start printing, unplug it (or switch it off) when you're done with the lamp. No reason to pay to run it any longer.