Re: [Amateur-repairs] SETTING UP A TEST BENCH

I use halogen bulbs as they are readily available.  My dim bulb tester a 20A Variac and has halogen bulbs inside a cabinet, a rotary switch to select from 7.5W (a panel mounted bulb across the bulbs) connected in a Binary arrangement so I can select 7.5w to 507.5W in 50W increments.  The last selection of the knob connects the output directly to the load.

 

I also included a digital display indicating output volts, load current and wattage.  There is a 100W isolation transformer inside as well for AC-DC sets.  It makes things a lot easier to have all of this inside one reasonably sized cabinet, and no possibility of damaging the bulbs.

 

Clint, VE3CMQ

From: Amateur-repairs@groups.io <Amateur-repairs@groups.io> On Behalf Of Don VE3IDS via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, 24 December 2023 10:53
To: Amateur-repairs@groups.io
Subject: Re: [Amateur-repairs] SETTING UP A TEST BENCH

 

Dan,

 

Look for " Rough Service Bulbs ". They are still available and are incandescent. A plus is the filament is better supported for knocking around and are usually rated for a little higher voltage ~130. Farm supply stores should have them if the big box stores don't. 

 

73 Don ve3ids