MetroLux One Instructions, beginning

MetroLux model one instructions.

Disclaimers

Copyright © 2007 by Metered Light LLC. All rights reserved. Metered Light LLC makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Metered Light LLC reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation of Metered Light LLC to notify any person of such revision or changes.

Operation of MetroLux in the Lux mode requires the installation of a light sensor in your printing lamp. Metered Light LLC is not responsible for such installation nor shall MetroLux or their dealers be held liable for ill effects caused by poor or faulty installations.
MetroLux, A Darkroom Lamp Controller and Metered Light are trademarks of Metered Light LLC. All printed wiring boards, silkscreens, software, and firmware are copyrighted and are property of Metered Light .

Revision 2.3
June 2007

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a MetroLux Lamp Controller. We believe it is the finest device of its kind. It's a timer, a metronome, a 'lamp controller', and you'll find it to be much more. Installation instructions start below.

The name MetroLux literally means 'metered light'. Because it is a light-based "timer", MetroLux measures light output (Lux) as you print. As you know, all conventional darkroom timers use conventional seconds to control exposure. But what happens when the air-conditioner turns on and the line voltage to your printing lamp drops? Printing with MetroLux in the Lux mode, the scientist next door can brown out the entire city, and your prints will STILL come out just as you planned.

MetroLux is a particular godsend for fine printers with coldlight enlargers. They know a fluorescent-based lamp source can fluctuate from exposure to exposure. A coldlight, warm from constant use, can print up to 1000% heavier than a cold coldlight. MetroLux exposures in the Lux mode vary less than 1/2 %.
Before you can use MetroLux as a lamp controller, you will need to install a photo detector 'probe' into your printing lamp. This allows MetroLux to monitor your lamp's output and thereby control it.

Warning: This MetroLux is equipped to handle lamps up to 720 Watts. DO NOT EXCEED THIS POWER LEVEL. Damage to your MetroLux may result. (MetroLux Lamp Controllers are available for higher wattage lamps. Contact Metered Light.)

Getting Acquainted
To acquaint you with the functions of your lamp controller, plug your enlarger lamp into the AC outlet on the back of MetroLux. Connect the probe into the probe jack, also on the back panel. Turn on MetroLux by pushing the On/Off Switch. See drawing of back panel below.

With MetroLux turned on, we are ready to demonstrate how the probe operates.
Depress the 'Unit" key until the CAL LED is lit. Press the 'Memory' key twice until LED #3 is lit. Turn on your enlarger lamp by pressing the 'Focus' key.
The numeric display will probably read 00. Take the sensor end of the photo probe and move it towards your lamp source (in the negative stage is fine). The closer the sensor gets to the light, the larger the number displayed. The sensor is reading the light intensity.

How The Keys Work

The use of MetroLux will soon become second nature, but first let's examine the use of each key.

On/Off Switch

Located on the back panel, this switch powers MetroLux.

Units

This key selects Lux, Cal, or Sec. The LEDs on the left of the display indicate which mode has been selected. A single push of the key toggles between Lux and Sec (seconds). Holding the key down takes you into the calibration mode.

LUX Primary mode. The printing lamp is monitored; the exposure is controlled.
CAL This is the calibration mode. (See below.)
SEC Secondary mode. Exposures are based on time. Probe is not required.

Memory

This key provides access to the 4 memories of the stack. The LEDs on the right of the display indicate which memory is active.
When in the Lux or Sec modes, the first three of these memories are for exposure 'times'. The fourth is a percentage factor, explained below.

As you push the Memory key, you will see the Memories roll by: #1...#2...#3...#4...and back to #1 again.

When in the Cal mode, the memories serve a different function explained below.

Up/Down

These two keys set the numeric display to the desired number. A brief push of either key will change the display one tenth of one count. Holding the key down will cause the display to count at a moderate rate. To count faster, hold both keys down. The first key down determines the Up or Down. The other key acts as a accelerator and provides an accelerated rate of counting.

Focus

This key turns on your enlarging lamp. The lamp will stay on until the key is pushed again.

Start

This key turns on the lamp and starts the counter simultaneously. This is your printing mode. It can be used in Lux or Sec modes.

You can terminate the exposure at any time by pushing this key.

Footswitch

If you purchased a footswitch, it plugs into the back panel. Depressing the footswitch is the same as depressing the 'Start' key on the front panel.

Beep, Volume Control

When the printing lamp is on, a beep is heard. The beep comes every Lux or second depending on the 'Units' selected. The volume of the beep may be controlled by the adjustment of a screw accessed through the hole on the front panel. As the screw is turned the volume will change as will the pitch. Please note, this adjustment screw rotates 3/4 turn only. The beep can also be turned off entirely. See Custom Code Numbers. Optional louder beeper are available for noisy darkrooms. Also, for those with a hearing deficiency in the higher tones, a lower pitched beeper is available---the "deeper beeper". (Sorry, the deeper beeper is no longer available.)