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The dim bulb?

Skywatcher said:
I have several sizes depenting on what I am working on. For the STA2100D units I start with a 60 watt and if all seems well bump up to a 100w for running tests with. At idle that receiver (zero volume and no signal) should only draw about 30 - 35 watts and will have a "soft dim glow" if the BIAS current isn't set too high. And be aware you cannot turn up the volume on a 60w DBT any more than a tiny smiget just to see if there is any sound. A DBT starves the amp for current and voltage so it is to be used for "testing for shorts" mainly. My bulb lineup starts at 15w, 25w, 60w, 100w, 150w, and 300w (for the hungry monsters). But just a 60w and a 100w will do for 90% of all receivers.
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I agree with all of this. Incandescent bulbs can still be found. you just have to search a bit. I use 60w and 100 watt for most.

I have a simpson amp meter I'd like to wire in to see line current as well. Not sure if it works or if I'm wiring it correctly. I want to obviously put line fuses in there too. Would be nice to have dual layered switches and to be able to switch in various output current meters to also switchable resistance loads like in my medical manufacturing tech days.
 
Skywatcher said:
Just note that sometimes the larger receivers many times won't come out of protection and the relay won't click on a 60w bulb. That's fine as long as the bulb dims. Then move to the 100w and it will click the relay if all is well. If it won't click with a 100w bulb, there is something else wrong.
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Correctamundo. Or sometimes they will cycle on and off. I didn't mention that as I didn't want to confuse things.
 
I guess its okay, negeorgian397, on eBay, has the clear rough service bulbs in various amounts, pair for under 5 dollars, plus shipping! 25,40,60,75,100,150,and 200 watt!just to let you know! Like the clear ones!
 
Larryhere40 said:
I guess its okay, negeorgian397, on eBay, has the clear rough service bulbs in various amounts, pair for under 5 dollars, plus shipping! 25,40,60,75,100,150,and 200 watt!just to let you know! Like the clear ones!
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Right! Rough service was the term I was trying to come up with when I said Industrial.
I wonder if a 3 way 50, 100, 150W incandescent bulbs that are used in reading lamps would be of service in a DB tester? I have two or three four packs of these but did not know how they would perform in my DB tester. I don't have any kind of resistance meter that is up to snuff with these wattages.
 
I was thinking more on the line of put the 50/100/150 bulb in place and let it do it's thing. Would it go to 150 first bypassing the other two wattages? I don't know.
 
smoothtune said:
Right! Rough service was the term I was trying to come up with when I said Industrial.
I wonder if a 3 way 50, 100, 150W incandescent bulbs that are used in reading lamps would be of service in a DB tester? I have two or three four packs of these but did not know how they would perform in my DB tester. I don't have any kind of resistance meter that is up to snuff with these wattages.
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No...
 
Reference to an earlier post, he does a assortment of 25,40,60,75,100 and 150, two each for under 23 dollars and under 8 for shipping if you ask! Very responsive and in Ga.
 
Larryhere40 said:
Sorry to ask such a simple?? I am a diy and I love doing repairs now that I have retired! I see the tech ‘s using the dim bulb thing for the first power up! One, is the bulb a simple 110 volt? Two, Is it wired in series with the amp/receiver plug. And three, how do you apply it to the test? I see that it might save on burning out more stuff! I with I had a working adjustable voltage unit! That’s my next project! Thanks in advance, really appreciate it, Larry
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The one I followed and built:
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/compact-dim-bulb-tester-wiring.465423/
 
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I thank you for the opportunity to show-off: The Current Master 2000!


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So, I went a little overboard with that at the time:rflmao: It was fun to build though, and it actually is a pretty good utility. There must still be a thread about it's construction in the DYI section, but that might be hard to find.
 
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