Durst RCP 20-->any info?

[David Piercey]

I'm considering purchasing a Durst RCP 20 table top processor.

I'm interested in any comments about both its virtues and weaknesses from those people who have or have used this item.
As well, a guesstimate as to a good price (please mention US/Can $$) and value for it, and any comments as to problems or special setup/process considerations would also be appreciated.

Thanks
dpie...@islandnet.com
David

[David Kao]

dpie...@islandnet.com (David Piercey) wrote:
>I'm considering purchasing a Durst RCP 20 table top processor.
>
>I'm interested in any comments about both its virtues and weaknesses from those people who have or have used this item.

>As well, a guesstimate as to a good price (please mention US/Can $$) and value for it, and any comments as to problems or special s=

etup/process considerations would also be appreciated.
>

I bought one about 4 years ago for US$600 at excellent condition. The price was
a bit pricy but the processor was very little used so I was willing to pay for
it.

The RCP-20 is an excellent EP-2 processor. I don't really have any problem with
it. But since EP-2 is now replaced by faster RA-4, the processor is facing a
upgrade to meet RA-4 requirements. The main problem is that it is too slow for
RA-4. I found out that the speed of RCP-20 is fixed at 2 minutes and 30 seconds
for both develop/blix baths. For RA-4 this needs to be sped up to about 1
minute. To speed up either the motor has to speed up significantly or the gears
inside to to be replaced with appropriate gear ratios. Speeding up the motor
is not likely because it is a synchronous motor with the speed fixed. Replacing
gears is possible but I yet have to find the source for appropriate gears.

It could be used as is, meaning running at 2-1/2 minutes and set the
temperature
to about 80 degree F (for Kodak RA-4 chemicals). But I am not sure if such
rpocessing would have any ill effect on color characteristics of the prints.
I am sure it is not an optimal temp/time for Kodak RA-4.

Can anyone comment on this please? Thanks.

[David Kao]

After opening up the RCP-20 processor to examine the motor/gears inside, I
think
I only need to replace 1 gear to bring the processor speed to about 1 minute
per develop/bilx bath. There are two gears inside which are connected with a
toothed belt. One gear is mounted on the motor shaft and the other is on the
driving shaft of all rollers. The number of tooth on the gear of the driving
shaft is 25. All I need is a gear of 8 teeth instead for the driving shaft.
I am thinking to fabricate one by a machine shop.

[LJM]

You will need to replace both gears unless you are going to replace the
belt. You will need gear number TP20A5W6-14 and TP20A5W6-32. The 14
gear is 14 teeth and the 32 gear is 32 teeth. Call Berg Co. at
516-599-5010 to order these gears.

Larry

[LJM]