Poly-Lite Exposure Unit...

[Quinine]

My shop partner and I have a lead on a Poly-Lite 48x76 Exposure Unit. Needs some TLC - vacuum pump works but seems to be a little weak (line may be plugged or the blanket needs to be patched or replaced), blanket has been patched in a few places (may need to be repaired again or replaced), lights work but the safety lights didn't power on (dirty contacts or bad bulbs?), and the glass needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Can anyone here give me any info on this beast? Ballpark of what they sell for in said condition, etc? Tried calling American in Chicago and they were already gone for the weekend. Any help would be great.

[Quinine]

Anyone...?

[Andymac]

I don't know the model/maker, do you have a pic? is it a self contained flourescent bulb unit?

Blanket is about $100 - 150 from a wetsuit mfg.

if the blanket is all broken/ripped cracked, that will fuck up the suction. Pull the tube and put you finger over it. A new vac pump runs 300-400 at grainger. or you can use a vacuum cleaner.

Does it have self contained lighting? (tube type?) Do they come on? if some bulbs work and others don't it is probably the bulbs, you can check this by swapping the working bulbs for the non working.

I just bought a band new Rayner (?) for the school 28x48, that was $2050. we sell our TMI Eagle Flourescent unit 59x70 for $3500 plus shipping (about $1000)

[Quinine]

Thanks for your response, Andy. Really appreciate it.

As far as I know, Poly Lite units were originally manufactured by American (A.W.T.). It is a self contained flourescent bulb unit. All the bulbs (black light bulbs) that were in the unit powered on just fine. It has two safe lights in the unit as well but those are the ones that we couldn't get to switch on. I think that it may either be dirty contacts/switches as the machine needs a serious cleaning (been sitting unused for 10+ years) OR that the bulbs, simply, need to be replaced.

I spoke w/ another reliable source today and they said that he's 90% sure that we should plan on replacing the blanket since it's been sitting that long unused. The material is probably dry rotting and I know for sure that it was patched a few times before already.

The pump also powered on just fine. I put my finger over it since the blanket didn't seem to move that much and the pump was working. Not sure how hard it should be sucking but it was pulling air. Pretty sure it's just the blanket but either way we have a backup pump in the event that one is shot.

Based on what you said, I think we are getting a good deal and will probably be pulling the trigger next week. Thanks, again, for your response. Let me know if there is anything else to consider based on the info that I just gave. Thanks!