DBT: the end is nigh?

[interalian]

Once the eco-nuts have purged all incandescent light bulbs from the world, what will we do for DBT setups? I've got a lifetime supply of the old tungsten so I'm covered, but what about the noobs?

 

[sheltie dave]

They still make this thing called the variac.

 

[xlbee]

They still make this thing called the variac.

Variac provides over-voltage protection. Dim bulb provides over-current protection. Not the same thing.

Incandescent appliance bulbs will always be available. Can't use LED or fluorescent in a stove.

 

[interalian]

Variac provides over-voltage protection. Dim bulb provides over-current protection. Not the same thing.

Incandescent appliance bulbs will always be available. Can't use LED or fluorescent in a stove.

Where there's a will, there's a way. A glass 'light pipe' to an LED array mounted in a cool spot is all it would take.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Right there next to the tubes we have collected and continue to collect is the stash of those 100 watters and some 75s and 60s just in case.

 

[Elfasto]

Well incandescent bulbs will be around guaranteed for another 5 or 10 years. Look at the majority of headlights for cars/trucks: Incandescent bulbs.

HID are getting more and more common, but LED's are at least 4 years away from being DOT or Transport Canada approved for main headlight use. Good old fashioned Incandescents are cheap and they work.

As for vintage Hi-Fi, the only suggestion is a LED that emits light around 2500K to 2700K and retrofit. At least you know the lights will most likely outlive you!

 

[interalian]

^really? I'm seeing tons of LED headlights on trucks and buses now, along with LED headlights on lots of high-end cars. Our 11 and 7 year old cars both have HID.

Buying incandescent lights at the Home Despot makes me feel like I did when buying condoms as a teenager

 

[Elfasto]

LED's for running and auxiliary lights, sure, but not for main beams, at least not legally unless something changed in the last 6 months I was not aware of.

HID, sure, but again a lot of them aren't legal (non-projector style of lights).

 

[interalian]

The new BMW 5 series says it has 'adaptive LED headlights'.

 

[Elfasto]

Well, without more research into the technology I can't comment any further on this.

 

[gadget73]

There are some specialty bulbs that aren't easily replaced with an LED. Heat lamps can't be LED, they just would not work.

 

[KutzlerTrans]

"Buying incandescent lights at the Home Despot makes me feel like I did when buying condoms as a teenager":lmao:

 

[Pio1980]

I can't go to the Ford dealer and get a new Model 'T' roadster for $260 but I'll get over it and do something else. OTOH, some folks bought spare Model 'T' Ford cars and put them up for later when they went out of production in 1927. My granny refused to have to learn to drive all over again when gramps sold the last Model 'T' for a Chevy with conventional controls, and never drove again.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[interalian]

Lol. But I'm not disparaging modern technology, merely wondering what option we will have that provides simultaneous visual indication and component protection.

 

[Pio1980]

Lol. But I'm not disparaging modern technology, merely wondering what option we will have that provides simultaneous visual indication and component protection.

I think incandescents will be around for a while and last about forever in a dbt tester.

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[blhagstrom]

Vegas baby! This Town Has Bulbs.

I stocked up on 150w, clear and frosted.
100w are everywhere.

I even did a Bartertown ad for the 150w. A store here is selling cases of them.

The ONLY reason you can't find big watt bulbs us because of the latest crazy rage and the big box stores that are selling the koolaid.

Read up on the "ban".

 

[interalian]

Yeah, I have an abundance of 60s, 100s, some 200s and can always use light 'Y' sockets or put multiple sockets in the DBT should the need arise (say if an SX-1980 or a 'sui BA-2000 ever crossed my path).

 

[larryderouin]

I made my dbt with a 3 way socket and stocked up on 50-100-150 3 way bulbs. Works fine with higher current units. Just dial it up. Electrical supply stores will carry incandescent bulbs for "industrial use only", Mainly trouble lights.

 

[restorer-john]

You can still get 'rough service' incandescents here- for trouble lights and garage door motors etc- things that vibrate or move in use. They have tougher filaments to survive the abuse.

I pick them up at op-shops and always stop at house demolitions- there's heaps to find.

Not as many as I'd like, but enough for now I guess.

 

[xlbee]

Most of us have a 100/140 watt Weller soldering gun with a little light on the front. Put that in series with the unit under test instead:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=650612