Re: [Amps] SB220 step start blows fuses

[Joe <nss@mwt.net>]

If you were to use this light bulb current limiter safety thing, but on 
a 220 variac, I assume you would have to put a light into each leg true?
Joe WB9SBD
Sig
The Original Rolling Ball Clock
Idle Tyme
Idle-Tyme.com
http://www.idle-tyme.com
On 7/10/2017 7:50 AM, donroden@hiwaay.net wrote:
> Agree with Gary !!
>
> Make a tester out of a garage light with a 300 or 500 watt halogen 
> element.
> ( or pair )   relatively inexpensive and I always need an extra light 
> when looking for things in my garage.
> Don W4DNR
>
>
>
> Quoting Gary Schafer <garyschafer@largeriver.net>:
>
> > You don't have a big enough bulb.
> >
> > I use two 300 watt bulbs in parallel. 300 watt bulbs are about the 
> > largest
> > you can find easily.
> >
> > I made up the bulb unit using a square electrical box and mounted two
> > outdoor light sockets on it, an outlet and a regular house switch to 
> > short
> > out the bulbs when I want to bypass the series bulbs.
> > It works great for checking amps. It is really nice if you have an
> > intermittent arc or want to let suspect capacitors cook for awhile 
> > with the
> > amp is in standby as no harm is done if something arcs, the bulbs 
> > just light
> > up bright.
> >
> > I sometimes plug the light bulb setup into a variac too.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Gary  K4FMX
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Amps [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Warren 
> > > Volz
> > > Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2017 9:53 PM
> > > To: amps; gudguyham@aol.com
> > > Subject: Re: [Amps] SB220 step start blows fuses
> > >
> > > I may shortly be looking to purchase a variac.
> > >
> > > After building a dim bulb tester this weekend I have a minor update.
> > >
> > > With 120V connected, the HV primary disconnected and one tube in a
> > > socket (doesn't matter which I use) the 100W bulb in my tester 
> > > lights up
> > > bright. No fan and the meter lights aren't on. If I take out the tube
> > > the fan and meter lights work. So I guess I have a shorted tube? Would
> > > it be good to double check the DC/AC voltage on the filament supply 
> > > with
> > > the tubes plugged in? That would show any sags that might exist.
> > >
> > > -Warren
> > >
> > > > On Jul 7, 2017, at 12:58 PM, gudguyham--- via Amps
> > > <amps@contesting.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I know I sound like a broken record but yes, a Variac is the way to
> > > go.  Especially with amps that can have power supply problems and gassy
> > > tubes.  You will hear the plate transformer groan and won't see HV
> > > climbing on the meter if there is a problem in the PS long before the
> > > smoke Genie appears.  My Variac gets used daily several times after
> > > doing ANY work on an amp.  It's saved me loads of time fixing blown
> > > parts that would normally occur if I had just turned an amp on with
> > > problems.  Best investment I ever made.  0-250 volts at 20 amps.
> > > >
> > > > Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Bill Turner <dezrat@outlook.com>
> > > > To: Amps group <amps@contesting.com>
> > > > Sent: Fri, Jul 7, 2017 12:34 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [Amps] SB220 step start blows fuses
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------ ORIGINAL MESSAGE ------------(may be snipped)
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, 7 Jul 2017 10:21:36 -0400, Mark B. wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> A variac varies voltage.   It is not designed to limit current.
> > > >
> > > > REPLY:
> > > >
> > > > At the very low end of its range, a Variac limits current just 
> > > fine. I
> > > > worked as a calibration technician at Tektronix for years, taking
> > > > brand new scopes off the assembly line and powering them up for the
> > > > first time. Believe me, a Variac is the only way to go with a unit
> > > > which could have any number of problems at first. Over the years I
> > > > powered up literally thousands of scopes this way and never a problem
> > > > with current limiting.
> > > >
> > > > 73, Bill W6WRT
> > > > _______________________________________________
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>
> DonR
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