120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
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- lord preset
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- Location: San Diego
120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
So I am doing a D'Lite 44 build and wanted a nice blue jewel light rather than the standard marshall style red neon indicator. The D'Lite plans call for a 120v pilot light. I installed a dial style lamp holder and jewel, a NE51 neon bayonet bulb and an inline resistor. What I didn't know is that the NE51 bulb is orange and is quite dim - presumably it's not intended to be put behind a colored lamp jewel. All I get is a dim purple glow. I have played around with resistor values but the lamp just isn't bright enough for this application.
So I have been looking for 120V T3.25 incandescent bulbs and haven't been seeing much. None of the usual amp parts suppliers have them but I have found a few ~3watt lamps from other sources. But the fact that AES, Hoffman etc don't sell them makes we wonder if I am barking up the wrong tree. Is a 3 watt incandescent going to be bright enough? I'm thinking not. Does anyone know of a source for higher wattage mini bayonet bulbs?
Or should I throw in the towel and just run the pilot light off the heater supply?
Thx!
So I have been looking for 120V T3.25 incandescent bulbs and haven't been seeing much. None of the usual amp parts suppliers have them but I have found a few ~3watt lamps from other sources. But the fact that AES, Hoffman etc don't sell them makes we wonder if I am barking up the wrong tree. Is a 3 watt incandescent going to be bright enough? I'm thinking not. Does anyone know of a source for higher wattage mini bayonet bulbs?
Or should I throw in the towel and just run the pilot light off the heater supply?
Thx!
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
Is the lamp socket like the old fender style?
www.turretboards.com sells 6.3v and 120v for those.
Also AES: http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/am ... ps%2FBulbs
www.turretboards.com sells 6.3v and 120v for those.
Also AES: http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/am ... ps%2FBulbs
- lord preset
- Posts: 447
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:06 am
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Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
Ah! Watts is it! I could have sworn I saw a 120V incandescent but I couldn't remember where. Thanks.M Fowler wrote:Is the lamp socket like the old fender style?
www.turretboards.com sells 6.3v and 120v for those.
Also AES: http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/am ... ps%2FBulbs
My holder is this one: http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/P-L110
As far as I can see AES only has 120v neon lamps.
I'll try the Watts lamp. I really don't want to know how much I've spent on shipping for small parts as I realize I am missing things or have mis-ordered. It may equal the cost of the amp parts!
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
These guys have 120V LEDs that fit the standard #47/BA9S/T-3-1/4 miniature bayonet socket, are very bright, and come in a variety of colors - I've used the 4-LED ones and the single LED ones in both narrow and wide angle with the fender-style glass jewel lenses, and been happy with all of them:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/
When going with 120V, be sure to use a socket that's rated for 120V, like this one:
http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/P-L110
edit: I see you already have the right holder, so these 120V LED bulbs will work fine - no series resistor or any other parts needed
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/
When going with 120V, be sure to use a socket that's rated for 120V, like this one:
http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/P-L110
edit: I see you already have the right holder, so these 120V LED bulbs will work fine - no series resistor or any other parts needed
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
If you want to do a jewel light - you should maybe just do it the way its done.
they run 6 volt off the heaters. you can get em for a buck-fify at someplace like electronic tube supply. standard fender style.
I have noticed that 120 volt pilots are quiter than the jewels - so not a mod I would suggest or do.
they run 6 volt off the heaters. you can get em for a buck-fify at someplace like electronic tube supply. standard fender style.
I have noticed that 120 volt pilots are quiter than the jewels - so not a mod I would suggest or do.
it really is a journey, and you just cant farm out the battle wounds
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
I love the old Fender jewel lamps, but I've become annoyed by their size. They've been in my way on more than once. I think I'm gonna start using these.
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Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
One good reason to go with 120V is that it make the wiring simpler and neater.
If you have an amp with the heaters running along the back edge, and the power switch at the front, going with a 120V pilot lamp lets you run two short wires right off the power switch - otherwise, you have to run heater wires carrying an AC signal all the way from the back to the front, and heater noise is something I try to avoid.
Here's an example of wiring a 120V pilot lamp:
[img
761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... wiring.jpg[/img]
[img
700]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... t_done.jpg[/img]
If you have an amp with the heaters running along the back edge, and the power switch at the front, going with a 120V pilot lamp lets you run two short wires right off the power switch - otherwise, you have to run heater wires carrying an AC signal all the way from the back to the front, and heater noise is something I try to avoid.
Here's an example of wiring a 120V pilot lamp:
[img
[img
- lord preset
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Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
Great - I'll try one of those. ThxKen Moon wrote:These guys have 120V LEDs that fit the standard #47/BA9S/T-3-1/4 miniature bayonet socket, are very bright, and come in a variety of colors - I've used the 4-LED ones and the single LED ones in both narrow and wide angle with the fender-style glass jewel lenses, and been happy with all of them:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/
- lord preset
- Posts: 447
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Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
I like big pilot lamps. They have better tone.Blackburn wrote:I love the old Fender jewel lamps, but I've become annoyed by their size. They've been in my way on more than once. I think I'm gonna start using these.
- lord preset
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- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:06 am
- Location: San Diego
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
Sounds reasonable. I'm going to stick with 120 v and make it work.Ken Moon wrote:One good reason to go with 120V is that it make the wiring simpler and neater.
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
If you want to try an LED, and you haven't already put in an order, I'll pop one in an envelope and send it to you for free - I have a bunch of them.
Just send me a PM with your snail mail address, and I'll have it in the mail tomorrow
Just send me a PM with your snail mail address, and I'll have it in the mail tomorrow
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
Then you better use irradiated green pvc covered wire on your cathodes in the pre and definitely not blue. If going with yellow, make sure it's non-irradiated and isn't bent more than two times. And make sure the tolerance bands on your resistors are always facing west. They only have better tone if you follow these instructions.lord preset wrote:I like big pilot lamps. They have better tone.Blackburn wrote:I love the old Fender jewel lamps, but I've become annoyed by their size. They've been in my way on more than once. I think I'm gonna start using these.
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
How about no light? Then you could brand the thing "Is This On - Mark I"
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
That's my Silvertone 1481 you just mentioned.Firestorm wrote:How about no light? Then you could brand the thing "Is This On - Mark I"
- lord preset
- Posts: 447
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:06 am
- Location: San Diego
Re: 120v Incandescent Pilot Light?
You are so kind, but of course I ordered it. Someone has to keep the Internet profitableKen Moon wrote:If you want to try an LED, and you haven't already put in an order, I'll pop one in an envelope and send it to you for free - I have a bunch of them.
Just send me a PM with your snail mail address, and I'll have it in the mail tomorrow