Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 7:34am Subject: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
Just got this in the mail from an ebay purchase and am a little bummed. It's not hard to learn to use, but no voltage reaches the AC outlet whether set in outlet control to "on" or "time". I did send an email to Gralab, but thought I would query the inhabitants here. It's a pretty specific question, but anybody got experience with this timer/issue?
Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 3:29pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
I don't have the same model which you have. Mine is a model 300. When saw your post I plugged a receptacle tester into the safe light and enlarger outlets in mine. I got some scary results. The hot and ground are reversed. I plugged the tester into the wall receptacle and it is OK.
In the chemical photography days this thing seemed to control my enlarger and safe light OK and I never got shocked.
Now I use it to time my coffee roasting. I don't plug anything into it. I just checked continuity from the ground pin of the plug to the case and it is OK.
Mine appears safe as long as you don't plug anything into it. I may use it for my next roast before checking but as soon as I have time I will open it up to see what gives.
Good thing you posted this as these these things may be an electrocution waiting to happen.
Phil
7seven4four Said:
Just got this in the mail from an ebay purchase and am a little bummed. It's not hard to learn to use, but no voltage reaches the AC outlet whether set in outlet control to "on" or "time". I did send an email to Gralab, but thought I would query the inhabitants here. It's a pretty specific question, but anybody got experience with this timer/issue?
Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 8:43pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
I just opened up the timer. The U-ground of the cord does connect to the chassis and to the U ground of the recepticles. The hot and the neutral are reversed. I suppose this isn't all that bad. Maybe I'll fix it someday. Since I don't use the recepticles it isn't a high priority. With the cover on and nothing plugged into it the timer is safe.
When each recepticle is on the recepticle testor gives the correct answer (hot - neutral reversed). The scary hot - ground reversed is when the recepticle is off and is incorrect. The grounds are always connected.
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 2:03pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
Hi Jon,
In my excitment over the funky wiring of these things, I forgot to answer your question.
Check the micro-switch mounted to the clockwork and the front panel switch marked focus / time. I assume that the clockwork is working.
If you are using the recepticles, it may be a good idea to check out the wiring and make sure the recepticles are correctly wired. The recepticle testors with the three neon lights are cheap and easy to use.
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 4:10pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
I sent this message to Gray-Lab:
I have a Gray-Lab model 300 which I have owned for many years. Last night while trying to help someone with a broken Gray-Lab I plugged a receptacle tester into my working timer. I found that the hot and neutral pins on both the enlarger and safe light receptacle are reversed. What's up with this? Since my enlarger is long gone and I just use it for coffee roast timing with nothing plugged into it and the case is connected to the U-ground I figured I'd rewire it when I have more time on my hands. For now I figure it is safe to use since I don't plug anything into it. I would still like to know how this happened. Thanks, Phil
I received an electronic acknowledgement of the message. I am anxious to see what a real person at Gray-Lab has to say about it.
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 8:40pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
Hey, Phil, I appreciate your interest in the topic! Pretty wild you've been sitting on this hazardous device for so long. The wiring is correct on the receptacle, power is just not being conveyed to the AC outlet at all. Mine is digital, so it would appear to be something on the board, and well outside my purview. I haven't heard back from Gralab since the initial reply a couple of days ago, which is fine. I'm thinking this just chalks up to a bad ebay purchase. I might throw something out on the WTB board here and see if anyone moved up to a fancy grinder and wants to unload their old workaround.
Posted Mon Nov 9, 2009, 3:42pm Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
I just got a reply from the engineer at Gray-Lab. When I told him my machine was over 30 years old and had the metal case he said he had no idea how it was wired but the current machines are correct.
Phil
PJK Said:
I sent this message to Gray-Lab:
I have a Gray-Lab model 300 which I have owned for many years. Last night while trying to help someone with a broken Gray-Lab I plugged a receptacle tester into my working timer. I found that the hot and neutral pins on both the enlarger and safe light receptacle are reversed. What's up with this? Since my enlarger is long gone and I just use it for coffee roast timing with nothing plugged into it and the case is connected to the U-ground I figured I'd rewire it when I have more time on my hands. For now I figure it is safe to use since I don't plug anything into it. I would still like to know how this happened. Thanks, Phil
I received an electronic acknowledgement of the message. I am anxious to see what a real person at Gray-Lab has to say about it.
calblacksmith Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 770 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: 2 SJs, NS MCD 65, Solis 166 Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Nov 10, 2009, 8:13am Subject: Re: GRALAB 451 Timer: No voltage to AC outlet
It might be a bad relay. The timer is rated to 1/3hp or 600w resistive load. If someone tried to push a heavier load, the points might be shot.
My Gralab timer has the same ratings and I made a relay box to use with the timer. The relays I used are 20 amp 120v rated so there is no issue switching the grinders on or off.
Regardless of the timer you get, I would advise you to do the same as I did, unless the timer is rated for larger loads.
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