Dim bulb tester

[dignlivn]

Opinions welcome
Bob

 

[Chocol8]

They are a cheap and easy way to build a current limiter assuming you can still find the incandescent light bulbs. I use one for the initial power up and testing of a new tube amp build, but other than that it collects dust. What is your intended use?

 

[dignlivn]

To use on Old amps,

 

[Chocol8]

To use on Old amps,

For what though? When I work on old amps, I use a variac way way more often than a lightbulb limiter.

Mostly I think it has value where you think something may be miswired or shorted. With an old amp, I test the filter and bias caps with a LCR meter, give it a good look over to spot any obvious issues, and then bring the voltage up slowly while monitoring. I use the bulb limiter on something new because it has never worked and there is a bigger chance of a wiring issue or build error.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I pass the dim bulb test routinely