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  1. #1

    Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Better known as a poor man's Variac?

    Just wanted to share, I have made about 15 of these recently.
    I have never seen a DBT this compact, portable or this small.
    Just use an old computer power cable, throw it in a drawer.
    Craigslisters dream..

    Would not be hard to make yourself.

    Click the pics to enlarge......

    NextGen-3002_zps8f6e70c7.jpg

    NextGen-3004_zpsaa657c32.jpg
    Last edited by Twisted; June 3, 2013 at 01:00 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Rowlett, TX
    Posts
    395

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Great Ideal.
    Thanks.
    Trung

    If you think you're too small to make a difference, You haven't spent a night with a mosquito.


    We are WHALE Sharks

  3. #3

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    These may be better suited in the DIY forum, but if you need to burn in a power cable or two (put an IEC input on each side or burn 4 cables with the dual receptacle box) or as a extention box with killer internal wiring (buy a foot of some really good stuff), and killer receptacles and IEC input, they make for an excellent power extention box.

    A good power cable burner to burn em/reconditon them, is a very handy thing to have laying around, especially if you have a good recipe for burning them in!

    Even easier to make!

    Boxes012.jpg
    Last edited by Twisted; June 3, 2013 at 03:09 AM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Rowlett, TX
    Posts
    395

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Double box, plug on one side, and switch on other.

    Should work good with the variac I have
    Trung

    If you think you're too small to make a difference, You haven't spent a night with a mosquito.


    We are WHALE Sharks

  5. #5
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Northeast New Jersey, in the shadow of NYC
    Posts
    19

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    No, but I wish they would implement them before hiring where I work!

  6. #6

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Every time I look in the mirror I just see a dim bulb

  7. #7

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Who you calling Dim???

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Near Philadelphia
    Posts
    135

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Mine worked great until I plugged it into a 240 volt line by accident.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    530

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Yes, Dim Bulb or Light Bulb testers are great for:


    • Turning on a component that hasn't been on in over a year.
    • Repairing a component that blows fuses
    • DIY projects that involve power supplies


    A thread that I started a decade ago:
    https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/powe...st2200138.html

  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    32

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    I have one (built one)-- will post a pic when I reach 10 posts.

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    32

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Here's mine. I built it to test my Carver TFM-25 after replacing some smoked components. (I'm not experienced in fixing blown amps, BTW). The inrush of current when I powered the amp up lit the bulb brightly a couple of seconds, and then dimmed back down as the big power supply caps charged up-- just like it was supposed to-- it was very re-assuring.


  12. #12

    Re: Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

    Jazzman53, that looks pretty spiffy, is that basically a switch connected to the bulb, bulb to a transformer and the transformer to an outlet? If so what are the specs on the tranny, if I may ask?

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Ever see a Dim Bulb Tester?

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