Bulb replacement (with LED?) for LPL 4x5 Enlarger

[Taija71A]

Okay...

You have a problem with either your Lamphouse Module and/or Power Supply.
Therefore, please be guided accordingly. Thank-you!

[Pollywog]

I also have an LPL, I agree with the advantages for LED replacements, however when available (and I haven't come across these yet) they seem to cost a lot more than the tungsten originals, is it worth the time to find one when the original tungsten is so inexpensive?

I searched here https://www.superbrightleds.com/ without success. Please let us know if you find them.

I had managed to utilise this LED, and currently running without fault:

http://ap.opple.com/en/led-lamps/led...eco-max-mr16-1

MR16 GU5.3 AC/DC12 5W-50 857-24°

I agree these LED bulb costs a whole lot more than regular quartz halogen, but it doesn't do well when the original quartz halogen burns out every 10 minutes or so.

I do agree in tradition with most answered here is to stick with the original feature and not bother to dabble with what works in the first place, but as mentioned, I have to at this moment to get this contraption running.

I do not want to dabble with the transformer (yet) if the alternative and easier solution is by putting in an LED bulb instead, which I have a spare bulb for it.

Yes, the LED bulb works without changing any parts or meddle with the transformer, which I tried moments ago.

It is almost as bright, fires up fast, no heat. And I believe it will help with the utility bills

I was just curious if anyone here have ever used such bulb for their enlarger (which none had answered that yet) and could print just as well (in sense of efficiently does the same job) with the quartz halogen counterpart?

I guess I am just updating my enquiry...

[Oren Grad]

I do not want to dabble with the transformer (yet) if the alternative and easier solution is by putting in an LED bulb instead, which I have a spare bulb for it.

It may be easier, but if there is an electrical fault in your power supply or lamphouse it's certainly not safer. I would urge you to track down and repair the fault, and deal with LED-vs-halogen only once you are sure that your enlarger is working properly.

[Luis-F-S]

I've had the same bulb in my LPL 4550 XLG enlarger for about 2 years, and that bulb has a 50 hr life, so I suspect your problem is not in the bulb, but something else in your enlarger. I would suspect the transformer, I would try to get a reading of the transformer output with a meter. If the output is correct, then perhaps you got a bum batch of bulbs.

L

[Geary Lyons]

I am going strictly from memory. IIRC there is no transformer in the LPL 45xx power supply. It is a just smallish PC board with rectifiers, a regulator and a couple of pots to set the output. There are also the expected variety of capacitors and resistors. I had to repair mine and also a friends. On my board a cap was leaking and I replaced all of the caps. On my friend's, a rectifier went and took the voltage regulator with it. It was passing dirty VAC and taking out bulbs just as you describe. The caps are not high quality and, depending on the age of the unit, may be at or past end-of-life. Get a DVM or DMM and check the output voltage, as was previously recommended. Let us know the result Don't put a band-aid in place, fix the problem!!


Cheers,
Geary

[Sal Santamaura]

I had managed to utilise this LED, and currently running without fault:

http://ap.opple.com/en/led-lamps/led...eco-max-mr16-1

MR16 GU5.3 AC/DC12 5W-50 857-24°...

In addition to the concerns others have posted, that unit has a CRI of only 80. Unless printing exclusively on graded paper, you'll need to perform testing to establish how the LED's spectrum affects filter performance. It's possible there may be contrasts unobtainable with that source.

[Fred L]

Don't see one for LPL enlargers and they're rather super spendy but I'd look at these if I was considering switching over to led illumination. They'd be especially useful for those using the Heiland split grade system.

http://heilandelectronic.de/led_devere_504_mk2

[Tin Can]

This thread belongs in DIY where it might gain strength.

Change is unsupported by traditionalists.

[Taija71A]

... Change is unsupported by traditionalists.

No One in this thread is necessarily against change (LED) -- 'In itself'.
However, when making suggestions... It is always 'prudent' to (first) consider your intended, target audience.

... If a direct 'Drop in' LED replacement were readily available...
... Or if the OP had a greater understanding of Electronics 101...

I 'personally' would be all for it -- Really!
--
But, "In the Meantime and In Between Time"...
I am quite sure that the OP would be 'More than Happy' -- To just first, get his Enlarger working 'properly'.

Thank-you!

[Luis-F-S]

Change is unsupported by traditionalists.

I don't think that's the case, I feel change is unsupported by something that works just fine as designed by the manufacturer! It's a great enlarger just as it is, without having to mess with it!