Trailer Upgrades

 Doing more work on the wet plate trailer today. 

Am replacing the stolen propane tanks, lost lots to the thief. 2 30lb tanks ($210 CAD), new tank stand, other one damaged during theft ($85), Propane ($80) and chains and a lick to secure everything from further theft ($60). With the furnace I can make Ambrotypes in winter. I will flow the plates outside, use coolers and a newly built floor exhaust fan to help reduce dangerous fumes.

I will run 4 car batteries in parallel to give me a longer power source when parked in remote areas. Added 2 older batteries from the truck this year. Car batteries are not ideal but they are cheaper and what I have is available for free. I think i need to build a box out of wood for the two new batteries. Last time i bought a plastic one off Ebay (double battery box, see pictures) but these things are too expensive. 

I also fixed up the sink, which needed lots of work. My wet plate trailer darkroom sink really takes a beating when I travel with the trailer. Yesterday I did a bunch of repair work on it. I retightened the faucet nuts as the faucet was jiggling badly. I also put screws on a 2x6 board under one of the sink legs as the tip had broken down causing the sink to lean forward and to the right. Finally I resecured the sink to the wall using straps and wire. Hopefully it will be good now for a year or so.

I need to carry repair supplies and tools for the trailer so I can fix things up on the road, especially when I am up in Northern Canada making Ambrotypes. The roads are rough in parts of Canada, causing havoc inside and outside the trailer.

In the back of the trailer I used a cardboard shipping box to store a backup Silver Tank (20x24 inches). Yesterday I built a wooden box to replace it. I also need to repair the tank box as the bottom has fallen out.

With more shooting time and more dustant travel in the trailer I have refined and upgraded things. I now use either plastic coolers (collodion, silver, vinegar, alcohol) , plastic boxes (supplies and lab tools-jugs-graduates-funnels) or hard sturdy wooden boxes (silver tanks-sometimes holding silver) to carry everything. 

With practice everything is becoming better, safer and more efficient.  Leading to what I hope are better Ambrotypes. In the end fall that really matters is matters is the work created!

Exhaust fans

Trailer storage and work