Sorry if this isn't the right forum, but it is sort of test equipment.

Anyway, I'm building a dbt. All I am finding so far for incandescent bulbs are these eco incandescent ones, that have a halogen filiment but are supposed to act like incandescents. Will these work, or do I need to keep searching?

Thanks,
Russ

A halogen bulb is just a fancy, expensive incandescent. They will work fine. CFLs and LEDs won't work.

Thanks!

Off topic, sorry,I've got to ask. Are you related to John Mueller who went to Maryvale High School in Phoenix, class of 77?
Thanks,
Russ

You can probably find "real bulbs" at just about any garage sale or estate auction. I see them very often.

Probably true, but I never seem to make it to any of those. I work nights, and around here those are usually over with before I get out of bed.
Thanks,
Russ

An incandescent is an incandescent. You can use "high efficiency," halogen, even special purpose bulbs like the tubular halogens used in work lights. While the local home center box store seems to have stopped selling incandescents, the grocery stores around here are still full of them.

As noted above, CFLs and LED bulbs will [url]not[/url] work.

Hi, using halogen lamps here. These are E11 base mini candelabra which are only around 1/2" diameter so that I could fit everything into a much smaller enclosure. Small in size but I've seen them with values from 35W to 500W.

You can buy incandescent bulbs at any dollar store. probably 60 watts is what you might want to get.

+1 to above posts that incandescent bulbs are still readily available. Previous posts mention several sources where they can be purchased.

Contrary to popular belief, the traditional incandescent bulb is far from extinct:
It should be noted that so-called "special-purpose" incandescent bulbs are exempt from the Act of Congress banning incandescents and are still being manufactured. These are widely marketed here in the USA. Such "special purpose" incandescent bulbs fall into many categories, including "rough service" bulbs suitable for use in drop cords or other applications where vibration is an issue, also those with "non-shatter" plastic coatings around the glass envelope, etc. These are readily available over-the-counter from any good local electric supply house catering to the construction trades and also from many online sources. A wide variety of traditional wattage values are available, most being rated at 130v. Cost is somewhat higher than traditional incandescents, but is still well under $2 apiece.

No. My brothers went to high school in Tucson and graduated years before that date.

Thanks, all.
I hadn't even thought of the dollar stores.
The eco incandescent bulb I bought seems to be working ok. Tried out the dbt a bit ago.
Russ

Be careful with the eco incands. If you break the outer glass, the capsule will still light.
And set fire to anything it can.

That's a great looking rig you built there kdanner

ditto to the great looking rig, kdanner! I would love to know more about it!

Steve

Really neat how the bulb is still useful / visible in operation but recessed and protected from physical damage.
Excellent looking piece of test equipment.

Thanks guys. I tried to not make it any larger than necessary, it did end up being a bit tight getting everything inside. It's an ebay China special enclosure about 11" x 8" and only 4.5" deep. Most of the parts came from ebay. The power comes in through a C14 power inlet with fuse on the back, through the power switch, then to the Ohmite rotary switch to cut the lamps in/out, then through a Staco 1.75A autotransformer, then finally an Isopuck 1.67A isolation transformer that is normally for hospital use. E11 base lampholders and I have 50W mini candelabra bulbs in them. Since those can get quite hot they have 1" aluminum tubing slid over the lampholder base and the other end retained by the plastic grommet in the front panel. Those are just cheap ebay panel meters and there's a transformer in there to power them. The knobs, grommets, illuminated switches, fusholder, power inlet and outlet came from Mouser. Front Panel Express for the front and rear panels which were by far the most expensive part but really finishes it off nicely I think.

Obviously well-planned and very well-executed, kdanner.