Durst CLS450 Power supply

[Crowbar56au]

I recently picked up a Durst L900 with a CLS450 color head, an EST 450 transformer and a CNA 450 analyser. After about 4 days the EST 450 made a clunk noise and stopped working. I am not at all electrically minded so would appreciate any help or advice. What trade would I take it to for possible repair? Some photos of the unit with the cover off (https://goo.gl/photos/tS46bVqcMKk8q6Cu9). Is it interchangeable with a TRA 450? Are they similar circuitry? A friends father said that if I have a schematic for the EST 450 he will have a look at fixing it. I have been able to find a schematic for the TRA 450 but not the EST 450. Is there a reliable (non Durst) alternative to the EST 450?

[LarsAC]

Did you check the fuse?

Lars

[Crowbar56au]

Yep. The first thing. It was blown of course. Ordered replacements, put one in, no response.

[Tony Lakin]

I threw my Durst L1000 out yesterday I still have the CLS450 head and power supply (220-240 volt AC) obviously I am too far away from you to ship the complete power supply but if you require any parts you can't find I would be happy to help.

[ic-racer]

I threw my Durst L1000 out yesterday I still have the CLS450 head and power supply (220-240 volt AC) obviously I am too far away from you to ship the complete power supply but if you require any parts you can't find I would be happy to help.

What if he paid shipping? Too bad the power supply sits idle when another enlarger is in need.

[Tony Lakin]

TRA450 weighs in at 6.4 KG, allowing for packing would be in the 5 to 10 KG price band which would be approx. £100 from here on the Isle Of Man, I wouldn't want anything for it but I am sure the postage cost is prohibitive (more than the L1000, CLS450 and TRA450 would fetch in the UK).

[Crowbar56au]

I threw my Durst L1000 out yesterday I still have the CLS450 head and power supply (220-240 volt AC) obviously I am too far away from you to ship the complete power supply but if you require any parts you can't find I would be happy to help.

I am happy to explore the shipping options for the TRA450. If it takes a while to get here thats ok. I have a Durst L1000 with condenser head as a backup so I am not standing still waiting. The L900 is for my youngest. I am teaching him the full B&W process; and at 17 he is quite taking to it. PM me and we can see what we come up with.

[adam03000]

First time poster - and I only signed up because I had this exact situation occur and know the frustration involved in finding answers with this thing.

Hopefully you've fixed it, but I'll outline my experiences in case anyone else with an EST450 hits google after it goes pop.

I bought a near mint Laborator 1200, CLS450 head and EST450 power supply working. Fired it up for the first printing session and three hours later heard the dreaded pop and off it all went. There was a faint whiff of burning 1970s electrical work, but no sparks or anything spectacular. I ended up taking it to a local bloke who specialises in stereo/turntable repair and he diagnosed a failed electrolytic capacitor - I do believe he used the phrase "blown it's head off!" According to him, these capacitors should only have a working life of 15 years - my EST450 is older than I am, and I'm certainly older than 15. I just got it back with all the capacitors replaced, and a full check over - he told me that these units are incredibly well built and could not identify any other potential failure areas. The issue with sourcing old power supplies is that the capacitors "dry out," meaning any secondhand unit you find is liable to go bang at some point, and according to my repairman, even more so if they have been sitting, unused.

Bottom line is that it will cost anywhere between $250-400 to get it working again, but should go for a long time. The guy who repaired mine is in Melbourne, but I can provide his details if required. He also quoted a complete rebuild at around $1000 - apparently there is a huge amount of labour to make these things new again.

Good luck!

[Crowbar56au]

I appreciate you going to all the trouble to put your experience in the thread. I have not been able to fix the EST450 but I was gifted with a working TRA450 from a forum member (see above). I would eventually like to have the EST450 repaired however now I can take my time. Send me a private message (PM) with your chap's details, much appreciated.


First time poster - and I only signed up because I had this exact situation occur and know the frustration involved in finding answers with this thing.

Hopefully you've fixed it, but I'll outline my experiences in case anyone else with an EST450 hits google after it goes pop.

I bought a near mint Laborator 1200, CLS450 head and EST450 power supply working. Fired it up for the first printing session and three hours later heard the dreaded pop and off it all went. There was a faint whiff of burning 1970s electrical work, but no sparks or anything spectacular. I ended up taking it to a local bloke who specialises in stereo/turntable repair and he diagnosed a failed electrolytic capacitor - I do believe he used the phrase "blown it's head off!" According to him, these capacitors should only have a working life of 15 years - my EST450 is older than I am, and I'm certainly older than 15. I just got it back with all the capacitors replaced, and a full check over - he told me that these units are incredibly well built and could not identify any other potential failure areas. The issue with sourcing old power supplies is that the capacitors "dry out," meaning any secondhand unit you find is liable to go bang at some point, and according to my repairman, even more so if they have been sitting, unused.

Bottom line is that it will cost anywhere between $250-400 to get it working again, but should go for a long time. The guy who repaired mine is in Melbourne, but I can provide his details if required. He also quoted a complete rebuild at around $1000 - apparently there is a huge amount of labour to make these things new again.

Good luck!