[Amps] SB220 step start blows fuses

Mon Jul 10 10:46:48 EDT 2017

If the amp uses 110vac for fans or control, the fans wouldn't run but  
if there were manual 220vac switches, it would be OK with a single  
bulb.  Depends on how much computer control your amp has.
Don W4DNR

Quoting Joe <nss at 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
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> On 7/10/2017 7:50 AM, donroden at 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 at 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 at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Warren Volz
>>>> Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2017 9:53 PM
>>>> To: amps; gudguyham at 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 at 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 at outlook.com>
>>>>> To: Amps group <amps at 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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>>>>> <a href="http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps"
>>>> target="_blank">http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps</a>
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>>>>
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>>
>>
>> DonR
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>>
>
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DonR