01-24-2026, 02:39 PM
Yeah...I also had the impression that the dim bulb was being used.
Mr. Fixr is right. You cannot use it for measurements. Only for initial power-up, to prevent the short being powered from AC.
If you have found out you have no short, use a Variac or an isolating transformer but do put at least 110-115VAC to it.
You could do it briefly (I do, 3-5 seconds), observe no spark, turn off, give it a good whiff, smell no burn, turn it for longer, see no smoke, after 10-15 s turn off, make sure the input caps are discharged, feel for heat.
If OK, turn ON and keep working.
Mr. Fixr is right. You cannot use it for measurements. Only for initial power-up, to prevent the short being powered from AC.
If you have found out you have no short, use a Variac or an isolating transformer but do put at least 110-115VAC to it.
You could do it briefly (I do, 3-5 seconds), observe no spark, turn off, give it a good whiff, smell no burn, turn it for longer, see no smoke, after 10-15 s turn off, make sure the input caps are discharged, feel for heat.
If OK, turn ON and keep working.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
