I have a Radiola model 46 and when I pull out the 80 tube and plug the radio into my dim light tester the light lites very bright. Is this a foolproof sign that the power transformer is shorted?

John

Yes, most likely the power transformer has shorted turns. In a few cases filament wires in a radio are shorted but this doesn't happen very often. The rectifier socket could also arc over but you should see signs of this.

Use a 60 - 100 watt lamp. A 15 - 25 watt may light even with the 80 pulled.

Norm

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I have a Radiola model 46 and when I pull out the 80 tube and plug the radio into my dim light tester the light lites very bright. Is this a foolproof sign that the power transformer is shorted?
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Not necessarily. Even with the B+ load removed (80 tube pulled) there will still be quite a load on the transformer. If the last set you used your dimbulb tester on was a small AA5 instead of a prehistoric radio like the '46 you may have undersized light bulbs (not enough watts). Why not take a line current reading and see if it is in the ballpark for the set's rated power?