Drying Cabinet - dedicated breaker?

[celluloidprop]

I want to get back into developing my own film, and drying over my tub isn't a viable option most of the time. So I'm looking for a drying cabinet (Ebay, Craigslist hopefully, if not I may just spring for the cheapest tall Arkay from B&H), but it recommends a dedicated electrical service. Not really doable since we're renting a house and only have six more months on the lease.

Just curious if anyone had used a standard film dryer without a dedicated breaker, hopefully without incident.

 

[nikon_sam]

You should be fine...120 VAC @ 8.5 Amps...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Never even occurred to me to use a dedicated circuit, and I've been using the same drying cabinet for years, initially in England and now in France.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sevo]

It is no safety requirement - even professional grade cabinets tend to use much less power than a hair drier, as film does not stand much heat. In Europe they come with a regular plug and need no particular outlet. You may need a separate breaker and connection if it is 240V and you are in the US, where 240V means split-phase and requires fixed installation or a 240V wall socket (which is rare outside laundry rooms).

 

[KenR]

Why bother with the cabinet at all? Before I had a dedicated darkroom I would run the shower for a minute (to decrease dust) and then hang the film from the curtain rod overnight. Never had a problem, cut the film up early in the morning before I jumped in the shower.

 

[Brian Puccio]

Why bother with the cabinet at all? Before I had a dedicated darkroom I would run the shower for a minute (to decrease dust) and then hang the film from the curtain rod overnight. Never had a problem, cut the film up early in the morning before I jumped in the shower.

I do exactly the same. I'd like to get a drying cabinet because sometimes I don't want to wait overnight to scan, but considering the prices for these sorts of things and the fact that usually I've got a small handful of rolls and don't need a huge thing I have no room for, I'm fairly likely to make one myself.

 

[nikon_sam]

If you really can't wait then use a hair dryer...I do that with test rolls...
Normally I'll hang the film in the shower over night to dry and then move it in the morning or use a different shower...