DBT

[playittwice]

I just built a DBT and was wondering if I can use a R30 incandescent flood light for testing? Asking because I happen to have a gross of them in stock after switching to all LED.

Thanks.

 

[nj pheonix]

It's fine
For this purpose same as an A19 of the same wattage

 

[gadget73]

I have a pile of those myself, same reason.

 

[playittwice]

Ok thanks, they are 65 watt. I'm glad they will work. Just wasn't sure. Also to check if it works can I short it out by carefully putting a piece of wire in the receptacle end of the cord? So it would be both openings of the receptacle end. As if it were a "jumper" wire. Then turn it on and the bulb will stay bright? I would like to check my work.

Thanks.

 

[I LIKE MUSIC]

That will work, but a safer way and what I would recommend, go the the hardware store and purchase a plug. Short the terminals (hot and neutral) of the plug and put it back together. Use it to test your DBT. If by accident you have made a wiring error it would not be a bad idea not to rely on a piece of wire stuck in the outlet of your DBT.

Clearly mark it as a shorted test plug to avoid future catastrophes.

That being said, It would be better to understand the wiring and check your work with your ohm meter. Then plug in the DBT with nothing else connected to it, The light should stay off. Then plug another incandescent light into the DBT. If is is another 65 watt light, each should light at about half brightness.

You can use one of these.



This would be much safer.

 

[playittwice]

I did put a bulb in it and plugged a radio into it and it worked with the bulb remaining dim. I wanted to check if I could make it stay lit. So I'm confident it's wired correctly. Just want to see it works shorted.

 

[blhagstrom]

Shorted is easy.
Just use a cut off cord with the wires toed together.

 

[nj pheonix]

Keep in mind, depending on what you're working on, you may want a higher wattage lamp (I'm thinking you wouldn't want to go lower than 65w for anything)
You can still source 100w A19 rough service lamps for drop lights. Also for a few more bucks in parts you can parallel 2 (or more) sockets. I do it through switches, one per socket but you can just remove the bulb (bulbs?)