why a neon bulb?? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

markhardy · 19th Nov 2010, 4:44 pm

restoring a Sailor R109 at the mo, slow progress as this one was rough to say the least - all told, there was over 8 hours work just to get the knobs and the front panel off!

coming together lowly now, had the first crackles of life, (after replacing pots and brutally getting the changeover switches to work

so now getting at the tuning circuits and one thing that puzzles me, imeediately after the aerial socket there's a neon bulb (GL101). which is shot any way, the legs have corroded to dust so its no longer attached to anything

according to the schematics its a: H. Limited, Type 3L

Wondered why thats there? some sort of spark suppressor maybe? I'm guessing it can live without it for the time being?

http://ebgb.net/misc/r109-neon.png

Alistair D · 19th Nov 2010, 4:54 pm

You got it in one. The neon is used to discharge any high voltages on the aerial.

Al

markhardy · 19th Nov 2010, 5:12 pm

blimey I guessed right! My brain was being forced into remember 'normal' circuit type stuff and it puzzled me.

it can lie without it for now, till I get the rest of it to play nice

19th Nov 2010, 4:44 pm	#1
markhardy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: County Durham/Weardale. Posts: 69	why a neon bulb?? restoring a Sailor R109 at the mo, slow progress as this one was rough to say the least - all told, there was over 8 hours work just to get the knobs and the front panel off! coming together lowly now, had the first crackles of life, (after replacing pots and brutally getting the changeover switches to work so now getting at the tuning circuits and one thing that puzzles me, imeediately after the aerial socket there's a neon bulb (GL101). which is shot any way, the legs have corroded to dust so its no longer attached to anything according to the schematics its a: H. Limited, Type 3L Wondered why thats there? some sort of spark suppressor maybe? I'm guessing it can live without it for the time being? http://ebgb.net/misc/r109-neon.png

19th Nov 2010, 4:54 pm	#2
Alistair D Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 2,008	Re: why a neon bulb?? You got it in one. The neon is used to discharge any high voltages on the aerial. Al __________________ I won't tell you how I discovered that.

19th Nov 2010, 5:12 pm	#3
markhardy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: County Durham/Weardale. Posts: 69	Re: why a neon bulb?? blimey I guessed right! My brain was being forced into remember 'normal' circuit type stuff and it puzzled me. it can lie without it for now, till I get the rest of it to play nice