DIY Deluxe Dim Bulb Current Limiter

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 120

  • @Ezzell_
    @Ezzell_ Рік тому +4

    This is the best dim bulb setup have seen!
    You have a new subscriber!

  • @lord_haven1114
    @lord_haven1114 10 місяців тому +1

    That’s so awesome! I love it. Thank you for providing it all for free

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  10 місяців тому

      You are so welcome!

  • @scottthomas3792
    @scottthomas3792 Рік тому +5

    Two jobs ago, I had a very simple version...a basic extension cord from K-Mart, cleat socket from the shop junk pile, and a clear 100 watt bulb, all on a piece of scrap wood. This place was old and still had fuses, so a dim bulb tester was pretty much a necessity.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      Its a good tool to have!

  • @williamwoo1437
    @williamwoo1437 Рік тому +10

    Very nice and thoughtful design 👍
    Only concern is the banana jack power leads that can be dangerous for those being careless. But then again, one could argue that careless practitioners shouldn't even be near such works

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +5

      Doing any work on AC is dangerous. The point of this is to limit the current that can power the device or hurt operator. And it is fused to help protect you more.

  • @sanelleric6121
    @sanelleric6121 Рік тому +2

    Made similar one a few years a go, working a lot on power electronics, such as power supplies and motor drives (mostly DC inverter air conditioner boards). Life savior. I've put and AC contactor and connected all 3 contacts as one, which bypasses bulbs when I push button for direct connection, after making sure there's no short. Also, 3 bulbs, each with it's switch, so I can make few combinations (7) of limiting input current.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +2

      Very cool. I think anyone who regularly works on power electronics should make some kind of current limiting device. This has saved my butt a couple times.

    • @sanelleric6121
      @sanelleric6121 Рік тому +2

      @@jmanatee Mine too. Ever since electrolytic capacitors blew in front of my face (long time a go, when I was a newbie), I was scare to death working with SMPS.
      I accidentally set switch for 110V input, and plugged it to 230V, back in the days on AT SMPS.

    • @nekoizmase9969
      @nekoizmase9969 Рік тому

      ​@@sanelleric6121 do you have scematic / jel imas shemu da okacis link?

    • @nekoizmase9969
      @nekoizmase9969 Рік тому

      ​@@jmanatee your webpage is offline?

    • @sanelleric6121
      @sanelleric6121 Рік тому

      @@nekoizmase9969 Nemam kulturno nacrtanu, samo u svojoj teki za praktični rad.

  • @GlenBeer
    @GlenBeer Рік тому +1

    Great idea & video!
    The way you handled the live leads scared me .

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +3

      Thank you, Because its current limited when I have accidentally touched the leads it doesn't hurt... very slight tingle.

  • @electronbob6676
    @electronbob6676 13 годин тому

    Your video is most appreciated, very helpful! I'm assuming that this setup would not be good for testing/troubleshooting an old microwave oven? .. thanks!

  • @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE
    @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE Рік тому +1

    Nicely done, thanks for sharing.

  • @el_sturlo
    @el_sturlo Рік тому +1

    Brilliant design, thank you

  • @cookcrazy
    @cookcrazy 10 місяців тому

    Well - Thanks for the Schematic - Finished building this design today - Looks almost identical as I used the same project box. I decided I really didn't want the Banana jacks so I left those out, and rather than the duplex receptacle I used a range type snap in receptacle (Qualtek# 738W-X2/03). I don't have a 3D printer so to mount the 3 light bulbs I simply used 3 Leviton# 8101 Porcelain 2 part Lampholders - they fit perfectly across the top.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  10 місяців тому +1

      Very cool! I Like the changes you made. I should have gone with the snap in receptacle....

  • @PosthumanKindergarten
    @PosthumanKindergarten 9 місяців тому

    this reminds me of a contraption i made, the "ballast board", in other words i screwed a bunch of different size fluo ballasts on a fiberboard and select em with hairdrier switches, you can configure up to like 200W and limit the current on a load, it has only two wires coming out, it seems silly but it's fairly useful, instead of finding the correct ballast or for adjusting the power finely

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  9 місяців тому

      Sounds interesting.

  • @MichaelB-wm5cg
    @MichaelB-wm5cg Рік тому +1

    Great explanation. Here in the UK we can't buy incandescent filament bulbs anymore.
    I wonder what could be an equivalent as simple current limiter?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      They are getting harder to find here in the USA too.... Can you order them online?

    • @PBoard
      @PBoard 11 місяців тому

      Yes we can, you just have to look

  • @jeffnay6502
    @jeffnay6502 Місяць тому

    I have a vintage IMSAI 8080 computer that appears to have two shorted diodes. So when I apply power the 5A fuse blows. I could simply replace these diodes and the system will more then likely work. However I have just purchased a Dim bulb current limiter and want to test the effectiveness of this device to see if it will limit the current and allow me to apply power to the power supply and test the 3 output DC voltages, to see which voltage is working and which is not working.
    The IMSAI is a valuable piece of history, so as I have never used one of these testers before, I am a bit concerned that it could case further damage to the power supply that already has a short circuit. I did pick up a couple of 15W and 25W bulbs for the tester, as it ships with a 100W bulb. Which is probably too high.
    All the computer boards have been removed and power has also been removed from the main (bus) board. So just the power supply will be effected. Which is mainly a large transformer, 3 large capacitors and several diodes and that is about it.
    Should I be concerned with apply power to this system with the known short on the two diodes controlling the -16V rail??? Could any problem arise from the shorted diodes that would effect the capacitor or the transformer of this system???

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  11 днів тому

      You could start with the lowest wattage bulb to see if it is enough to test the voltages

  • @karljay7473
    @karljay7473 5 місяців тому

    Would there be an advantage to having the 40 automatically trigger on the 60 and the 60 automatically trigger the 100 with a current sensors or some other switch so that it self adjusts to the current that is being pulled thru it? I'm new to these and it seems you have to know in advance that the device would pull a certain current amount in order to select the right combo for the most protection... However, if you make it so that the weakest of the bulbs had a trigger of some sort, if it were consuming too much current, it would instantly trigger another bulb. Maybe a trigger that measures current and only acts IF the bulb is on. That would make it fully automatic so you don't have to know which combo is best.
    Also, what gain do you get by using the 40 sometimes vs the 100, is it better protection? Then maybe having an auto trigger setup, you could have 10 20w bulbs in a row, each on triggering the next ONLY if needed.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  5 місяців тому

      The reason to limit the power is to protect the device you are working on and give you an indication that the device is using 40 or 60, etc watts

    • @karljay7473
      @karljay7473 5 місяців тому

      @@jmanatee So what is the advantage of using one wattage over another wattage? Would using 100W all the time be better than sometimes using 40W and what happens if it draws a lot more than the 40W bulb will consume, doesn't the device still run the risk of damage? That was my whole point. If you don't know what the current will be in a short, you select too low of a wattage bulb, then you still have damage. If you select too high of a wattage, you don't get much light.

  • @faceboxtv4789
    @faceboxtv4789 8 місяців тому

    What is the formula to calculate the bulb wattage needed related to the device?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  8 місяців тому

      Watt = (E / R) * E Where E =Voltage and R = Resistance

  • @leonardpeters3266
    @leonardpeters3266 Рік тому

    I really like this design. Best part is that it comes up in limited mode. I would appreciate the relay part number and the current limiting resistor sizes for the LEDs. If you could provide those I would appreciate it.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      The relay is Omron LY2-UA-006244 Relay... I can't remember the exact resistor but I think it was either a 5.6k or 10k 5watt in series with a diode. Although the LED is a diode it can have trouble with the reverse current thats why I added the diode.

  • @cookcrazy
    @cookcrazy 11 місяців тому

    Very nice - Any chance that we can see inside? Would love to see how you have the relay hooked up - I am not quite picturing it from the schematic. The Momentary Push Button Switches and the Contactor got me a little bit guessing. Thanks for sharing...

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  11 місяців тому +1

      Well I am a bit embarrassed by the wiring on the inside but when I get home (on vacation) I can post a few pics on my website of inside

    • @cookcrazy
      @cookcrazy 11 місяців тому

      @@jmanatee No need to be embarrassed - Sure it cannot be worse than my rats nest wiring jobs LOL - Looking forward to seeing that contactor and latching - may get some ideas on how you got the LED& and resistors put together etc to make it a little neat.... I seen some nice pre-made units on Fleabay today all done up with the mounting bezel, LED, resistor, and wire pigtails, all shrink wrapped nice and neat.... always nice to see other's way to approach projects like this... always good ideas to be found...

    • @carlosjorgefernandes1050
      @carlosjorgefernandes1050 6 місяців тому

      ua-cam.com/video/B86Gd-hdU7c/v-deo.html

  • @armmargret1970
    @armmargret1970 4 місяці тому

    Clever tester design, I like the auto switching and the combination of different power levels.
    Not sure what your mains voltage is, but the way you handle the alligator clips is frightening.
    Is there a difference in getting electrocuted with and without power limiting?

  • @HIDLad001
    @HIDLad001 Рік тому +1

    This is definitely better than the ones that just use a socket adapter and a regular outlet,

  • @karllaun2427
    @karllaun2427 Рік тому

    I like this design. Will the relay still function if you feed the AC through your variac at a lower voltage?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      relays will usually clamp at a lower then rated power, But once activated they will usually stay energized at a much lower voltage. If you are using this with a variac and bringing the voltage up slow you would probably want limit mode anyway

  • @PBoard
    @PBoard 10 місяців тому

    I like this very much and want to build one. However, I'm slightly confused. When I look at the diagram vs your list of components. The SPSTs in your list are 2 pin, yet what I assume are the 2 switches on the diagram, those just above the relay, are 3 pin. Could you clarify this, please?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  10 місяців тому +1

      the relay is a double pole double throw, the two switches are labeled NO and NC

    • @PBoard
      @PBoard 10 місяців тому

      @@jmanatee Thanks for your reply, I see that now 🙂The other contacts on the diagram are those of the relay? I have an Omron LY2NJ 10A DPDT, which I intend to use for this project.

  • @ultimateworkshop2000
    @ultimateworkshop2000 Рік тому +1

    Hi there nice job, I like the way it defaults to current limit every time, but I didn’t understand it from the diagram how will it stay latched how comes its AC not DC, I really don’t get it 😊?
    Are those 120V LEDs ready made or you added a resistor to normal ones?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +3

      They are regular LEDs I added a resistor to. The coil of the DPDT relay is 120v when you energize it one set of the relays switches powers the coil through a normally closed switch so as soon as the relay is energized it self powering the coil. Its "Latched" until power is lost or you press the normally closed switch (opening it) breaking the feed to the coil

    • @ultimateworkshop2000
      @ultimateworkshop2000 Рік тому +1

      Ok I got it interlocking relay I will search for one here in my country, hope the price is good, thank

  • @PBoard
    @PBoard 9 місяців тому

    I've got most of the parts to build this now, but what LED's did you use, please?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  9 місяців тому +1

      Just regular LEDs with resistor inline

    • @PBoard
      @PBoard 9 місяців тому

      @@jmanatee Thanks, having read through the feed I found the answer, and found a few design alternatives since.. Can it be substituted with a 230v LED?

    • @martyaussie4538
      @martyaussie4538 9 місяців тому

      @@jmanatee the resistors that were left off your diagram ;-) - Hopefully nobody has built from the diagram verbatim and then blown LEDs into the sky without the necessary dropping resistors. ;-)

  • @Crimsomnia
    @Crimsomnia 9 місяців тому

    Are halogen bulbs good for this purpose?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  9 місяців тому

      You can use halogen bulbs but there wattage will be equivalent so a 100w halogen may only be 70watt

  • @johnfitzpatrick2469
    @johnfitzpatrick2469 Рік тому

    G,day from Sydney Australia.
    Wow fantastic invention. Would another way for the same purpose;
    Bench power supply LCD of V and Amp with a meter between cables to appliance measuring Amps?
    You could limit or set V and detect if a short exists because no amps are passing through the short?
    🌏💫

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      Bench supply works great for DC applications. With AC you could use a variac and amp clamp but a dim bulb is a quicker more protective way

  • @martyaussie4538
    @martyaussie4538 9 місяців тому

    Is there a reason to actually need 3 bulbs? I have a dim-bulb tester with only 1x 100W lamp, and it indicates any piece of equipment with a short circuit (or very low resistance) in its circuitry.
    So, i'm trying to reason WHY i would ever need lesser resistance filaments in the 40W & 60W bulbs for equipment testing?
    Obviously the resistance of the 100W bulb allows enough current for fussy switchmode power supplies to startup which also gives me reason to NOT need the 40W & 60W bulbs.
    Maybe there's a scenario i haven't experienced yet?, but my dim bulb tested has been fine for all the valve radios, guitar amps, vintage hi-fi and computer power supplies over the decades of restoring & repairs that i've experienced.
    with thanks.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  8 місяців тому

      No this is a luxury, I used a single bulb current limiter for a long time. I just wanted to improve it. I always start with 40watt bulb to get an idea of how the repair is going.

  • @mixinginthebox
    @mixinginthebox 3 місяці тому

    Nice ty!

  • @larrymcnair6249
    @larrymcnair6249 Рік тому

    How are you all getting incandescent bulbs now?
    All I can get locally is led.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      I got Rough Service Shop Light Bulbs on Amazon... I think you can still find regular bulbs on Amazon too

  • @vernonbosshard9317
    @vernonbosshard9317 Рік тому

    I like this design, plus you showed the diagram, in other videos I have to stop the video at a certain point to get a small glimpse of it, frustrating. The sound on the video is good, no echo or low volume. I would add an output voltage and amp gauge. I might add a GFCI outlet, just in case of a dead short to ground. I've used one before and it saved my fuse and my ass.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +2

      Thanks, I have the schematic and 3d print files on my web site. I like the ideas for GFCI and gauges Version 2?

  • @jjoeygold
    @jjoeygold Рік тому

    If my motor/power supply is 500W what would be the suggested globe wattage?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +2

      It isnt what your supply is it is what the load needs so If the motor requires 500w then you would need 500w of bulbs

  • @jameswarren1831
    @jameswarren1831 Рік тому

    Is it possible to use the small HV halogen bulbs to save space and make it more durable?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      You can use halogen bulbs but there state wattage usually is the Equivalent watt rating not the actual rating (ie a "75w" halogen is actually around 55w) Also halogen bulbs run much hotter and usually they are more expensive

    • @jameswarren1831
      @jameswarren1831 Рік тому +1

      @@jmanatee I totally forgot about the output verses actual consumed power. Thank you for the response!

  • @Tysman909
    @Tysman909 Рік тому

    I want one, right now just use a variac and isolation transformer for vintage electronics

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      They are very helpful

    • @amsoiltek
      @amsoiltek 4 місяці тому

      @@jmanatee How does the relay get along with the variac? I'm sure it won't stay latched.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  4 місяці тому

      @@amsoiltek It will stay latched at 70v and fall off at 60v

  • @t1d100
    @t1d100 Рік тому

    Nice project.

  • @paulperano9236
    @paulperano9236 Рік тому

    Do you use an isolation transformer too ?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      Yes, absolutely, especially when using my oscilloscope, its a tripp-lite isolator IS-1000

  • @electrolatif
    @electrolatif Рік тому

    You get new subsrib 😊 great job
    If you use bulb G5.3 your bulb tester will be smaller, just order today my G5.3 bulb 50w hope will be work fine
    I will try do like your tester but smaller😅

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      Thats cool but I think g5.3 bulbs are halogen and the actual wattage is less then there stated wattage just so you know when using them

    • @electrolatif
      @electrolatif Рік тому

      @@jmanatee i will update to you after i try them🙂 also i will check also actual wattage

  • @a2phil
    @a2phil Рік тому

    I'm a newbie, forgive the possible stupid question, can this be used in place of a variac, or (even better??) with a variac?
    KE8NFK

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      it wont replace a variac but can be used with a variac

  • @garygranato9164
    @garygranato9164 Рік тому

    why not a bulbs with clear glass so you can see the filament ?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      That's a good idea but due to new laws, incandescent bulbs are getting hard to find in the USA

  • @mikeadler434
    @mikeadler434 Рік тому

    👍👍

  • @RGD-Games
    @RGD-Games Рік тому

    Ahh, so you have 3 bulbs. All of different wattage, for more or less current to the device?
    So a 40w gives the device connected, less power?
    And 100w gives most power?
    So when testing an amplifier for a short… the 40w bulb would severely limit the power that the amplifier receives, compared to the 100w bulb?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      Correct but you can also do combination 40, 60, 100, 140, 160, 200 watt by using single and multiple bulbs at the same time, I also have a couple 150w bulbs if need be for up to 400w 2x150 1x100

  • @chiraldude
    @chiraldude Рік тому +2

    Do not rely on a current limiter for safety! 10ma is enough to cause uncontrolled mussel contraction "can't let go". 100ma and above across the heart will interfere with heart function which means high probability of death!

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +2

      You do understand that this device is to assist in working on AC devices. Doing this by its very nature is dangerous. If you do not feel comfortable working with electrical devices. Don't.

    • @garygranato9164
      @garygranato9164 Рік тому +1

      i doubt that 10mA will cause you to lose muscle control

  • @andydelle4509
    @andydelle4509 Рік тому

    I noted you are using a switch mode power supply to demonstrate your dim bulb project. But I think the audience here needs to know that switch mode power supplies and dim bulb testers are often a bad mix. As a switch mode power supply is non-linear, it doesn't work well with a linear current limiter. It may not start up but rather pulse on and off. As there is a line operated rectifier and large capacitor on the front end, even reduced current can still easily take out the switch transistor or MOSFET due to capacitor storage. This warning also goes for UPS units and motor VFD drives. The primary use of dim bulb testers is older pre 1990s electronics that used linear power supplies. And most calss B audio amplifiers which still mostly use a linear power supply.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      Although I was just using that SMPS for demoing the dim bulb I built. Current limiting an unloaded SMPS during repair is not uncommon.
      A lot of SWPS use some form of current limiting to ease the inrush current during power up. Something like a series NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor.

  • @breakthru3000
    @breakthru3000 Рік тому

    nice tool but handling AC mains like that is dangerous. always unplug the power cord when touching live wires (dont trust the on/off switch).

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      I have heard that before...

  • @fed9096
    @fed9096 Рік тому

    you should sell yours, I would buy one! 😅

  • @barryandersen1
    @barryandersen1 Рік тому +1

    Please change the name of your channel. When searching "jmanatee" all that comes up are manatee videos.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      I know its a problem but I have had this for decades.

  • @craigs5212
    @craigs5212 Рік тому

    You do realize a 40W, 60W or 100W LED bulbs don't draw 40, 60 or 100W. That is just fake number that represents the equivalent light output of normal old time filament light bulb. In rough terms the actual wattage of those LED bulbs is only about 10% of those numbers. Most LED bulbs have switching power supplies built into the base and are not just plain resistive loads and useless as a current limiting device.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +8

      I do know that, Thats why I used incandescent light bulbs The kind with plain old resistive filaments. The LEDs the previous comment was talking about were the indicators for Full or Limited power

    • @jjoeygold
      @jjoeygold Рік тому

      @@jmanatee Can Halogen Globes be used (assuming they have the same real wattage as incandescents)?

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      @@jjoeygold Yes as long as you know the real wattage

  • @misterbonzoid5623
    @misterbonzoid5623 Рік тому

    Don't you have Safeblocs in America? Those banana plugs and croc clips are hideously dangerous, uninsulated and right in front of you.

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому +1

      This is used for testing and repairing electronics Yes it is dangerous but so can testing and repairing electronics.

  • @stevenbliss989
    @stevenbliss989 Рік тому

    You love to live dangerously! Holding onto the two alligator clips horrified me, and I think BigClive would also freak out!

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      Sorry, Living more like ElectroBOOM

    • @stevenbliss989
      @stevenbliss989 Рік тому

      @@jmanatee :), ...stay safe man!

    • @jmanatee
      @jmanatee  Рік тому

      @@stevenbliss989 Thanks will do

    • @richardplatko7532
      @richardplatko7532 Рік тому

      Lol funny. Oh yeah shout out to Big Clive and Electro boom. Thanks again for the contest, jmanatee. And thanks to all the other channels that I love. You guys are the best!