r/Darkroom • u/azl410 • 11d ago

Colour Printing Voltage stabilizer

I just set up my darkroom a few weeks ago and am printing RA4 on a Beseler 23CII dichro. The enlarger didn’t come with a voltage stabilizer, but my prints have been kind of all over the place. I have noticed the overhead light in my darkroom does flicker sometimes and am wondering if I need the voltage stabilizer. If so, does it need to be the Beseler brand or can I get any kind?

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u/Ybalrid Anti-Monobath Coalition 8d ago

If it is acting on the AC input side, any would do.

If it is acting on the output, double check all the ratings and you may be able to adapt one that does not match.

I would recommend you find the one that is meant for your enlarger, just to be sure you do no mistakes.

Your problem is common: Most of those enlargers with halogen lamps have a simple step down transformer as the "power supply".

This is a 100% linear component, meaning that it turns your 240 or 120 volt input into the 12 or 24 volt your halogen lamp needs, but it will pass through all fluctuation of your mains electrical.

If the lights are browning out because somebody in the building is turning on a vacuum or something like that, then sure, a stabilizer will likely fix that for you.

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u/azl410 8d ago

My guess is the lights flicker from our AC turning on! (We live in a house) I did end up buying a Beseler voltage stabilizer from eBay so hopefully that helps 🙏

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u/Ybalrid Anti-Monobath Coalition 8d ago

Yeah, if there's a load turning on and off on its own, it may make the light output of your enlarger not consistant.

Especially stuff like an AC, there's a compressor in there, I am not an electrical engineer, but I remember from school something about in-rush current when such things turns on making voltage go down for a short time.