DeVere 504

[Ari]

Hi,
I have the chance to get a DeVere 504 with colour head.
It comes with a module which controls, among other things, filtration and exposure time.
It's in a bit of a mess, but I'd like to know if there are any parts that I should make sure are included in the sale, i.e., how do I know it's ready to plug-and-play?
I'd hate to have to look all over creation for some missing part, or worse, pay KHB's extortionate prices.
Your help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

[ic-racer]

Sounds like it has a closed loop head. Is it a ZBE?

[Ari]

Sounds like it has a closed loop head. Is it a ZBE?

I will find that out on Monday.
Anything else I should look for?
Thanks, ic.

[Fred L]

Beware ZBE units. I had something blown out in my 8x10 controller and basically it was not worth fixing, cost wise, unless I REALLY needed autofocus, which I didn't.

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a floor standing 504 with a color head. Originally, it came with an analyzer, which had sensors in the head. The Analyzer didn't work, and everyone I talked to, including KHB and Odyssey Sales, told me not to use it. It was easy to remove, and the enlarger works fine using a regular timer, an RH Design Stopclock Professional in my case.

If possible, turn it on and see if everything works, including the dichroic head. Make adjustments, such as focusing and head height, and make sure everything locks down ok. Mechanically, these things are really sturdy. Does it have lens boards that you need? (I can probably help if needed.) Are the plastic hinges on the negative carrier ok? (They can be replaced.) If there's glass in the carrier, is it in good shape?

[Ari]

Peter, once again, thank you very much.
I'll see everything on Monday or Wednesday, as soon as I can go, and report back.

[Peter De Smidt]

Check out the light mixing box, too. There's both a 4x5 and 6x7 version. If you want to do 4x5, and it only has the 6x7 version, that could be a problem. Whatever you do, don't crack the white plastic diffusion plate on the bottom of the mixing box. It's been cnc'd to even out the light, and a replacement is super expensive.

[ic-racer]

Post pictures if you can.
When you test it make sure the light goes on and off as it is supposed to and see that the filters change the color of the light.

The above test seems pretty simple, but if it has an electronic controller and you (or the seller) can't even figure how to turn the light on and off and change filtration, just imagine how hard it is going to be to fix when it breaks.

[Fred L]

Make sure it has the Trans Stab and all power cables. Also know that these are not the quietest enlargers out there Very nice units but the fans are loud as is the Trans Stab.

Is it a floor model or table ?

[Ari]

Thanks, Fred; I'm going to snap some photos tomorrow, and I'll post here asap.
I haven't been in town all week, but I appreciate everyone's help and opinions, so I'm anxious to get more information.