Adding a pilot light (power light) to a amp running off of line power?

[samdjr74]

Hi All,
I'm almost done with my amp project and I want to add a pilot light to the top of the chassis but when I tried to do this the lamp would come on but the amp didn't have enough power to run. As soon as I took the light out of the loop the amp worked fine. I don't need the light but I figured it would be a nice addition. I took the main lead coming from the power switch cut it and put the light right passed the switch. Am I doing something wrong or is this impossible to do, the amp is a 1957 LECTROLAB R200B.
Thanks,
Sam

[Dave C]

Sounds like you put the lamp in series which won't work very well, put it in parallel. Better yet get a low voltage fixture that uses a #47 bulb and tie to the 6.3 volt heater circuit.
Dave C

[samdjr74]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info, I'll try to parallel and see what happens.

Thanks,
Sam

[VintageJon]

Sam- is this a 35W4/50C5/12AU6 tube compliment?
If so, it's a series-filament unit and a CM47 won't work!

You could probably get away with a neon pilot lamp...

In addition it likely doesn't have a power transformer so you REALLY need to install an isolation transformer in it.

Be Careful,
Jon

[samdjr74]

Hi Jon,

The tube arrangment is 50L6, 35Z5 and two 12BF6's. I think the problem is I wired the lamp in series not parallel. It does hav an isolation transformer along with an output transfomer and the bulb is a neon 120VAC.

Thanks,
Sam

[VintageJon]

Sam, You're OK then, wire it in parallel.

May The Tone Be With You,
Jon

[samdjr74]

Thanks Jon!!!


:dude