PILOT LIGHT RCA-29K PROBLEM-ADVICE REQUESTED

[fleis...@comcast.net]

Hi All,

I've been restoring a 1941 RCA 29K console. Its been rewired, recapped
etc, and is up and running. Once I restring the dial and figure out
this pilot light problem, back in the case it goes.

This set uses two pilot lights. My problem is one pilot light is
working, one is not. The one that's not working is tapped off of the
light that is working. I've replaced the bulbs.

The working pilot light has three wires, all seem tight.

The wire connections of the non working light seem tight from the
tube socket right to the light socket.

Any trouble-shooting ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks!!

Barry F.

[Bill Noble]

start with the basic - remove non-working bulb, measure voltage at socket -
from the center terminal to the outer terminal/case - I would not be
surprised to see a high resistance ground or other problem, but first, make
sure that power is really getting to the bulb.

Next, take a bad bulb, remove the globe and attach wires to base, install it
and measure again.

<fleis...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:a3e416d0-e87e-41cb...@z7g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...

[Pete Bertini]

A lot of times the spring tension that holds the center button connector
weakens with age.

Also, the center connection on the bottom of the lamp is solder, and
it will oxidize and become resistance. Try rubbing the lamp base
over cardboard to clean it. Apparently in your case the problem is
in the socket itself, however. Sounds like a poor connection is being
made between the lamp and socket so far...

[Jeffrey D Angus]

Yuppers, the solder blob on the bottom of the bulb is only
1/2 of the contact. the other point(s) are the edges of the
bayonet pins on the base itself. If the inside curved edge of
the socket is corroded, you're not going to get much light.

Jeff

--
�Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.�
Frank Leahy, Head coach, Notre Dame 1941-1954

http://www.stay-connect.com

[nesesu]

Also chek that the centre contact plate in the socket is free to move.
Sometimes corrosion or slight distortion of the socket shell jams the
fibre plate from free movement and when the lamp is inserted the
spring cannot push the centre contact back up into solid contact with
the lamp tip. Usually pushing the bulb down while operating will make
the lamp at least flicker.

Neil S.