Darkroom Ah Ha Moment - Keeping it cool

[Steve Feldman]

I'm sure someone out there in traditional darkroom land has done this, but I've just now discovered this on my own. I'm in Sunny Southern California. Make that HOT! Sunny Southern California. I was mixing up developer for black and white print processing. The cold water in my darkroom comes out at over 80 degrees. I added a few handfuls of ice to the water before mixing it into the Dektol. Thus getting it all down to 68 degrees. After 2 prints I checked the temperature and it was up to 75. I didn't want to add more ice because it would dilute the developer. So I thought for awhile. Hmmm . . . Went to the fridge and took out a frozen gel pack that I use to ice down sore muscles. Placed it under the developer tray. Five minutes later the temp in the tray was 68 and held there until my print session was done. Cool huh?! (Pun intended). An added but unplanned benefit was that it made the tray self rocking. Didn't have to lift one side and then the other. Just gently push down one side and then the opposite side. Easy. I'm so proud of myself.

Can I patent that?

[atlcruiser]

that really is a good idea....off to target to buy some ice packs!

[gevalia]

Steve,

I use those packs as well. I'm in CT and because of the orientation of my darkroom (make that kitchen sink, heh), I get a lot of sun. I use a daylight tank in a cat litter water bath and the packs work great. I just had to experinent with the size and number of the packs to get the cooling effect right.

Good trick.

Ron

[jk0592]

This is a neat solution to an otherwise difficult problem. Thanks for sharing.

[BetterSense]

I use these:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodontheGo/utensilsIceSubstitutes?productId=10004856

[ic-racer]

What problem are you having with Dektol at 75 or 80F?

[Steve Feldman]

What problem are you having with Dektol at 75 or 80F?

Lower contrast and a mottled appearance. Depends on the paper in use.

[Steve Feldman]

Darn! I knew I shoulda taken out that patent sooner.

[Jim Andrada]

Glad I stumbled on this thread - I'm just getting back into LF film and have been puzzled by the same issue - I have a Jobo temp controlled processor but it works by warming the water bath - not what one needs in Tucson in the summer when the "cold" water comes in over 90 degrees and the temperature in the garage area I get to use is over 100. At one point I was thinking of a thermoelectric cooler but something like this might work.

[jeroldharter]

You can get Small gel packs that are meant for soothing muscle aches that can be frozen or heated in the microwave.

http://www.amazon.com/Ice-Heat-Pack-.../dp/B000K7CUUG