120 volt choke - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

sparkymike · 18th May 2023, 8:42 pm

I am working on a US built one arm bandit/ fruit machine.. The 120 volt choke has burnt out in the panel lighting circuit. Would the choke from a 240 volt tube light work ?
Mike.

Ed_Dinning · 18th May 2023, 8:56 pm

Hi Mike, it would probably restrict the current too much, have too big an impedance.

Ed

vidjoman · 18th May 2023, 9:12 pm

They are available, just do a search.

sparkymike · 19th May 2023, 8:40 am

Hi Ed, any idea what the ohms reading on a voltmeter would be for a 110 volt choke.?
Power required is very small, as the tube is only around 6'' long.

Ed_Dinning · 19th May 2023, 9:23 am

Hi Mike, not easy to determine as it will depend on several factors. I would expect a 100 or so ohms, but it is the inductance that sets the current into the tube

Ed

vinrads · 19th May 2023, 9:35 am

I have just checked one , 180 ohms and 2.8 Henry. Mick.

winston_1 · 19th May 2023, 10:51 am

Note if you are running it on a 120v 50Hz supply the choke will need more inductance than on a 60Hz supply.

Could this be why the original choke burnt out?

vinrads · 19th May 2023, 11:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston_1

Note if you are running it on a 120v 50Hz supply the choke will need more inductance than on a 60Hz supply.

Could this be why the original choke burnt out?

It doesn't seem to be a problem in the Juke boxes I restore amps for a chap that has quite a collection . Mick.

broadgage · 19th May 2023, 11:45 am

USA fluorescent lamp ballasts used in the UK within UK appliances tend to have a short life due to the frequency being wrong.
A ballast intended for 60 cycles, will at 50 cycles pass extra current and run hotter.
This may be partially offset by reducing the supply voltage, for example use of a 110 volt 50 cycle supply instead of 120 volts 60 cycles.

For a modern replacement, consider a multi-standard electronic ballast. These are suitable for any likely supply voltage and frequency.

McMurdo · 19th May 2023, 12:17 pm

I was going to suggest a universal input electronic ballast but broadgage beat me to it! RS do a range of 110-240AC input ballasts with anywhere from 4-30W output.
But do check the datasheets as the RS blurb seems incapable of getting the specs right on their product pages.

18th May 2023, 8:42 pm	#1
sparkymike Octode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,075	120 volt choke I am working on a US built one arm bandit/ fruit machine.. The 120 volt choke has burnt out in the panel lighting circuit. Would the choke from a 240 volt tube light work ? Mike.

18th May 2023, 8:56 pm	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: 120 volt choke Hi Mike, it would probably restrict the current too much, have too big an impedance. Ed

18th May 2023, 9:12 pm	#3
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,324	Re: 120 volt choke They are available, just do a search.

19th May 2023, 8:40 am	#4
sparkymike Octode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,075	Re: 120 volt choke Hi Ed, any idea what the ohms reading on a voltmeter would be for a 110 volt choke.? Power required is very small, as the tube is only around 6'' long.

19th May 2023, 9:23 am	#5
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: 120 volt choke Hi Mike, not easy to determine as it will depend on several factors. I would expect a 100 or so ohms, but it is the inductance that sets the current into the tube Ed

19th May 2023, 9:35 am	#6
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,754	Re: 120 volt choke I have just checked one , 180 ohms and 2.8 Henry. Mick.

19th May 2023, 10:51 am	#7
winston_1 Hexode Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK. Posts: 498	Re: 120 volt choke Note if you are running it on a 120v 50Hz supply the choke will need more inductance than on a 60Hz supply. Could this be why the original choke burnt out?

19th May 2023, 11:45 am	#9
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,129	Re: 120 volt choke USA fluorescent lamp ballasts used in the UK within UK appliances tend to have a short life due to the frequency being wrong. A ballast intended for 60 cycles, will at 50 cycles pass extra current and run hotter. This may be partially offset by reducing the supply voltage, for example use of a 110 volt 50 cycle supply instead of 120 volts 60 cycles. For a modern replacement, consider a multi-standard electronic ballast. These are suitable for any likely supply voltage and frequency.

19th May 2023, 12:17 pm	#10
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,269	Re: 120 volt choke I was going to suggest a universal input electronic ballast but broadgage beat me to it! RS do a range of 110-240AC input ballasts with anywhere from 4-30W output. But do check the datasheets as the RS blurb seems incapable of getting the specs right on their product pages. __________________ Kevin