LC6 User Manual

Getting Started   Units of Light   Exposure Screen
Settings Screen   Control Panel   System Information

 

The LC6 Light Integrator and Darkroom Timer is the heart of the Light Counter system. It contains an advanced microcontroller that helps you manage your exposures with unparalleled precision. The system is designed by a photographer for photographers. It works simply and quickly, with a strong emphasis on ease of use.

New in the LC6: The LC6 has a state-of-the-art dual-core microcontroller. This chip is blistering fast, allowing much more complicated and precise real-time calculations than previous the generations.

One core is dedicated to the sensors and other peripherals. Depending on the sensors you use, it will make measurements as often as every 20 milliseconds to ensure ultra-precision. The new universal sensor automatically adjusts its sensitivity depending on the brightness of the light – so it is less likely to get overwhelmed by very bright lights, but also won't lose very low light levels either.

The other core manages the exposure process, and the glorious 5" 800x480 display. It is controlled by touches and swipes, just like your phone. And, because you're in a darkroom, you can completely switch off the display and still operate the LC6.

For an overview of the main features please watch the following video.

 

Measurement-based Exposures

Printing exposures are traditionally based on time, measured from the moment the lights are switched on to whenever they are switched off. Time-based exposures are easy to measure, but inherently inaccurate because the intensity of all light sources varies over time. For example, some light technologies, e.g. fluorescent lights, take time to warm-up and reach full intensity. Other technologies, e.g. LEDs, are prone to overheating which reduces their intensity.

The Light Counter system solves this problem, allowing photographers and printers to concentrate on achieving their artistic vision without worrying about inconsistent exposures caused by lighting issues.

If you are unfamiliar with light integrators and measurement-based exposures, then please read this page first: Working with 'Units of Light'.

 

Getting Started

Connecting Power and Peripherals

The on/off switch is at the rear of the LC6 in position 1 in the above diagram.

Power is connected to the single USB-C connector on the rear panel (position 2). Power may be taken from any USB wall adapter or computer.

The six USB-A connectors (position 3) are used for connecting peripheral devices, such as sensors and power controllers. It does not matter which connector you use for a peripheral because the LC6 will work out what you have connected when it starts.

Do not connect the USB-A connectors to power or a computer because this may damage your device.

All peripherals are supplied with a 1m cable. You may replace this with a longer USB cable if you wish. The replacement should be a good quality shielded cable (not a thin ribbon cable).  Do not use USB extension cables because these can impair the data signals. A shorter cable is always better than a longer cable. Cables up to 5m long have been tested, but longer ones may work, depending on your environment. 

If you are working in a location with high electromagnetic interference, you may experience signal impairment that in rare circumstances can lock-up the LC6. The solution to this is to: (1) use shielded cables; (2) use shorter cables; and (3) in extreme circumstances to double-shield the cables using metal tape.

Attaching the Power Controller

The power controller is attached to the light integrator using the supplied USB cable cable. The connector is on the front panel of the power controller.

The power controller has two mains electrical connectors, both standard ‘kettle’ type connectors (technically called ‘C13’ and C14’ connectors). The C13 connector (on the right in the pictures below) is used for the mains electricity supply. The C14 (on the left in the pictures below) is used to connect the light source.

These cables are not supplied with the power controller because of the large number of variants that would be needed for the different standards across the globe. It will always be cheaper for you to buy these locally.

The smart power controller is rated for a 10A load. Do not exceed this limit. 10A is approximately 1100W in the US and between 2200W and 2400W in Europe and the rest of the world.

If you need to control a more powerful light source, then use a secondary control circuit, such as an industrial relay. Use the smart power controller to switch the industrial relay, and thus ensure that the device is not overloaded.

Starting the LC6

Once you have power connected, you can switch on your LC6. While starting, the LC6 completes a self test and checks for attached peripherals such as sensors and power controllers.

In the unlikely event that your LC6 fails during start-up, please record the number of yellow dots that are displayed, because this identifies the point in the start-up process at which the failure happened.

Once the LC6 is ready, you will see a screen something like the one shown below. This is the 'exposure' screen (sometimes called the 'home' screen). The specific details depend upon how your system is configured.

The exposure screen shows the following information:
  • Top right – icons that show the type of peripherals attached, in this example a UV sensor and a power controller
  • Middle – the exposure currently configured, either in time or units
  • 'X' – also the current exposure, but if the main display is in units then this is in time, and vice versa
  • 'T' – temperature, if a suitable sensor is attached
  • 'H' – humidity,  if a suitable sensor is attached
  • 'Plan' – a short description of the current exposure plan
  • A row of control buttons, explained in the manual pages linked below
  • Three navigation sliders, one on the top and one on each side

Navigation Between Screens

    Navigation between screens is managed by the sliders. You can slide left and right between the four main screens, as shown below.

    The exposure screen is where all exposures are managed. The settings screen is for system-wide settings. The control panel screen is for managing peripheral devices and their configuration. The system information screen is for technical support and firmware upgrades.

    These screens are explained in detail on the following linked pages:

    1. Exposure Screen
    2. Settings Screen
    3. Control Panel
    4. System Information

    On any screen you can slide down from the top to switch off the backlight. You can switch it back on by sliding up from the bottom. The device is still functioning while the backlight is off, so you can still run exposures with it off.

    Peripherals

    The LC6 works with a large family of peripherals, namely:

    • 3rd generation universal light sensors that can be configured for either ultraviolet (UV) light or visible light
    • 2nd generation UV sensors
    • Environment sensors that measure temperature and humidity
    • Temperature sensors
    • A variety of power controllers that manage power to other devices such as UV exposure light units, enlargers and fans
    • A remote control that allows you to start/stop exposures remotely

    These are all managed from the control panel.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use the LC6 without a power controller?

    Yes, but you will have to manually switch the lights on and off. When you start an exposure, the LC6 will wait until light is detected. At the end of the exposure, the LC6 will beep for a second to tell you to switch off the lights.

    Can I use the LC6 without a light sensor?

    Yes, but in this case you are limited to timed exposures.

    How do I get support?

    Please reach out to Ian Leake via this website, email or social media.