Valoy Users - hot head

[pico]

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I found my old extra 'bonnet' a light-proof ventilating, cooling head option for Valoy 1a and 1b enlargers. This is placed between the lamp housing and the section over the condenser and allows you to use 250 watt bulbs rather than 75 watt for greater enlargements without overheating.

 

The part that the bulb-housing is slipped-over is 7.5" (~190mm) in diameter. I tried it on my Focomat IIa and it is ever so slightly too small, but if it doesn't sell, I can make it fit with a little metal smithing.

 

Private message okay.

 

Just found a picture and page that includes information on Glennview.com, a big collection of information from Glenn Evans,  gentleman who has made some perfect parts for me. Scroll down http://www.glennview.com/leitz.htm and search for 'valoy'.

 

http://glennview.com/jpgs/leitz/valoy/accessories/ventilator/big_2.jpg

http://glennview.com/jpgs/leitz/valoy/accessories/ventilator/big_1.jpg

 

Glenn's page is possibly outdated. He wanted $50 for the part back then. That is very reasonable.  I will take the same. If you are in the US, please consider giving Glenn your business, order from him.  He is solid gold for parts, expertise, machining and he has some good inventions to help us.

Edited May 13, 2016 by pico

[M.Hilo]

Pico,

 

I have looked at this part over the years, but never saw it in reality. Can you explain how it works?

 

Do you think it will be helpful with later Focomats or Valoy II enlargers?  I have the 1c and 2c, also a Valoy II and their diameters for the lower and upper half are the same. I do a lot of 20X24 prints and switch to 250 watt bulbs now and then to avoid very long exposures. The enlarger head gets quite hot . . .

 

Does adding this bonnet raise the top half, and how much?

 

Thanks, Michael

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[pico]

Pico,

 

I have looked at this part over the years, but never saw it in reality. Can you explain how it works?

 

Do you think it will be helpful with later Focomats or Valoy II enlargers?  I have the 1c and 2c, also a Valoy II and their diameters for the lower and upper half are the same. I do a lot of 20X24 prints and switch to 250 watt bulbs now and then to avoid very long exposures. The enlarger head gets quite hot . . .

 

Does adding this bonnet raise the top half, and how much?

 

Answering randomly:

 

The ventilator raises the top half by only a couple of millimeters which is easily accommodated by adjusting the stem for the bulb. The stem has three thumb screws just for this purpose. I found the ventilator so very good with the early Valoy which had an exceptionally long column and baseboard. It is a rare model.

 

The link I posted claimed that the ventilator hood does not work for the Valoy II, but it is really so close that a careful reworking of it with a small ball-peen hammer will suffice to make it fit.

 

It works by evacuating heat from the bulb and is a light-trap to keep the bulb's light from escaping. The standard top has no ventilation at all, which has always puzzled me.

 

Does this help?

 

To find if it might fit, compare yours to the dimensions I posted.

Edited May 17, 2016 by pico

[M.Hilo]

Yes, this helps !

 

This afternoon I will check your 190 mm versus my enlargers. I will also talk to a friend who repaired these enlargers his entire career . . . he still helps me now and then with servicing or modifying Leitz equipment.

 

Thanks sofar !

[tobey bilek]

If he would make a spacer so the long neck bulbs would work,  it would be great.   Who needs 250 watt in a valoy.

[pico]

If he would make a spacer so the long neck bulbs would work,  it would be great.   Who needs 250 watt in a valoy.

 

The issue is the diameter of the bonnet.

 

The 250 watt bulbs that I have fit well. Just raise the bulb to the top. 250 watt was quite useful when making 20x24" enlargements. The ventilating hood took care of the extra heat. (Remember, this came from a special Valoy with an exceptionally long column and large baseboard.)

Edited May 21, 2016 by pico

[tsleica]

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Luv those Valoys..I actually have 2 of the old Valoys that may fit..but prefer my Valoy 2's..and Focomat grey..

If no one wants that spacer..please contact me..I'm in CT USA.

Edited May 24, 2016 by tsleica

[M.Hilo]

Sorry this took so long, I had to travel. Now I measured my Focomats and Valoy II enlargers and I think you are right it can fit. However, I gave the idea more thought and realised I do not have that much of a problem using 250 watt bulbs. You just need to be quick when setting up. After that the enlarger can cope with exposures of 60 seconds . . .

 

In a Durst L1000 that I have mounted against the wall, I use 250 and 300 watts bulbs. Durst advises to get a ventilator and it is what I did: I installed a small ventilator into the lamphouse. The Focomats btw generate much more light than the Durst, which uses a mirror system between bulb and condensers.

[pico]

Sorry this took so long, I had to travel. Now I measured my Focomats and Valoy II enlargers and I think you are right it can fit. However, I gave the idea more thought and realised I do not have that much of a problem using 250 watt bulbs. You just need to be quick when setting up. After that the enlarger can cope with exposures of 60 seconds . . .

 

In a Durst L1000 that I have mounted against the wall, I use 250 and 300 watts bulbs. Durst advises to get a ventilator and it is what I did: I installed a small ventilator into the lamphouse. The Focomats btw generate much more light than the Durst, which uses a mirror system between bulb and condensers.

 

Thank you for coming back with more information. I'm slow to set-up so I enjoyed the ventilated hood. Although I no longer use the Valoy, I'm trying the Big Bulbs in the Focomat IIa. Stay in touch, please!

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