Nova Protronic Heater
Introduction
Analog photographic processes require temperature control.
Especially color processes like color printing, color reversal film development and color negative film development are very sensitive to temperature variations.
The Nova Water Heater 300W is a device specifically designed to help with temperature control
Review
Description of the Device
The device consists of an AC adapter with integrated temperature control, a heating element and a temperature probe.
Temperature probe, AC adapter with temperature control and heating element
The Protronic Heater is designed to maintain the temperature of 27 litres of water up to 42 degrees Celsius accurate to 0.2 degrees Celsius.
In Use
The Protronic Heater cannot be put in the chemicals directly. Instead, the chemicals in their containers are put in a water bath, which is then heated by the Nova Water heater.
The heating element can be attached to any flat surfaces with two suction cups.
Water bath with chemistry bottles in the kitchen sink and the submerged Nova Protronic Heater.
The strength of the Protronic Heater lies in precise temperature control, not boiling a large amount of water. Heating up the water bath to the desired temperature can take up one hour. However, when it has reached the temperature, it will maintain it and therefore ensure a controlled development process.
The manual emphasizes that the heating element has to sit in the water for a certain amount of time before the Water Heater can be plugged in and that it cannot be removed abruptly when turned off. This is in order to allow for temperature equalization. If one does not adhere to this guidelines, the heating element will shatter.
It has to be stated that the temperature scale surrounding the control knob is not a replacement for a proper thermometer. The temperature probe seems to not be calibrated properly. In any case, this does not impact the precision of temperature maintenance. It is just that 30 degrees Celsius on the temperature scale do not necessarily equal 30 degrees Celsius on a high-end thermometer.
The Nova Protronic heating element in action.
Build Quality and Customer Support
Designed as a professional darkroom tool, the Nova Water Heater is well made. The rubber gaskets appear to be of high quality.
Customer support is provided directly by the distributor Nova Darkroom aka The Imaging Warehouse.
Conclusion
A reasonable price tag and high precision make the Nova Water Heater a very capable device for serious analog photographic work.
Nova’s product competes with a variety of “alienated” sous-vide sticks. While the latter are much quicker in heating water, Nova’s solution is better in precisely maintaining the temperature.
The decision between speed and precision is up to the customer.
