Anyone ever think of using a light bulb? Probably an odd idea. You're probably better off just buying a proper ballast tube from AES or Radio Daze. I tried this a couple of days ago with a 150 watt traffic light bulb, though. It worked well with some 25 volt and 6 volt tubes strung in series. Obviously you can't select the perfect wattage, which is the main draw-back. You can only usually get 25, 40, 60, 75, 100, and 150 watt bulbs, and though you could add up certain wattages to get what you want, the idea is to use only one light bulb in place of the original ballast. My 150 watt bulb burned quite dimly, though, with all of the tubes burning normally, so it will work just like a ballast tube--it won't send sunlight out the back of your set.

Thomas

Thomas, is this one of those ballast tubes that's supposed to maintain a constant current over a range of input voltages? A lamp should do this, more or less, since the resistance goes up as the current increases.

Actually, I've successfully replaced ballast tubes with fixed power resistors of sufficient wattage. There's much less variation in line voltage today than in olden days.

:Anyone ever think of using a light bulb? Probably an odd idea. You're probably better off just buying a proper ballast tube from AES or Radio Daze. I tried this a couple of days ago with a 150 watt traffic light bulb, though. It worked well with some 25 volt and 6 volt tubes strung in series. Obviously you can't select the perfect wattage, which is the main draw-back. You can only usually get 25, 40, 60, 75, 100, and 150 watt bulbs, and though you could add up certain wattages to get what you want, the idea is to use only one light bulb in place of the original ballast. My 150 watt bulb burned quite dimly, though, with all of the tubes burning normally, so it will work just like a ballast tube--it won't send sunlight out the back of your set.
:
:Thomas

Also, if the wattage is correct, tubular bulbs come in 25, 40, and 60 watt incraments. This might be appropriate for some larger strings, and certainly for .15 ampere tubes in a fairly large string. A tubular bulb would be more fitting in a radio, both physically and aesthetically.

Thomas

Hi Thomas

Here is something to try.. With 300 ma filament tubes use a 40 watt light bulb in series. Use this bulb regardless of how many volts you need to drop. It works instead of a ballast line cord dropping 60 volts. Will also drop 100 volts when used in series with a 12v volt tube.

It won't be perfect but think you will be surprised at how well a 40 watt bulb regulates 300 ma current. Biggest problem is mounting the lamp and getting rid of the light. Guess you could paint it black..

Norm

:Also, if the wattage is correct, tubular bulbs come in 25, 40, and 60 watt incraments. This might be appropriate for some larger strings, and certainly for .15 ampere tubes in a fairly large string. A tubular bulb would be more fitting in a radio, both physically and aesthetically.
:
:Thomas

Ok... but why not go the AC dropping capacitor route?
Since it works so well and does the most efficient job at it?
Cheap too.
I just bought a bunch of Sola brand and other AC caps just to be ready whenever I need to replace that resitive line cord or ballast tube next time.

I think the radio would look great with an old time porceline light bulb socket on the top to accomodate the ballast light bulb. Especially if you have to use one of those big 150 watt bulbs. Sorry just being myself.

S. Illy

:Ok... but why not go the AC dropping capacitor route?
:Since it works so well and does the most efficient job at it?
:Cheap too.
:I just bought a bunch of Sola brand and other AC caps just to be ready whenever I need to replace that resitive line cord or ballast tube next time.

I was just thinking for someone who might want a glowing object in back, but couldn't locate a ballast tube.

I will try the 40 watt bulb. Sounds kinda cool. Still, the capacitor is probably the better route. If I ever find a use for a light bulb, though, it might be interesting....not on top of the radio, though.

T.