trinityamps.com

I've never paid attention before, so I don't know if this is a new symptom of anything.

The Jewel Light flickers on my 5E3. I play quietly and cleanly enough that I can hear the slight mechanical rattle in the recto tube that has been there since day one. I've just never got 'round to replacing the tube. I say this to illustrate that I am not thrashing the life out of the amp.

But tonight I noticed the jewel flickering. I could not ascertain any pattern to power demand or frequency or playing or not.

What should I examine, if anything?

_________________
Peace,

Paul

The bulb is an incandescent lamp with a filament so it could be the filament OR, the socket spring is loosened over time the up OR the connection to the socket (solder) has come loose. Get bradovka to give it a tune up.

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Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

The bulb/socket seemed fine, although I dislike the turret base style of lamp.

The only other reason a bulb flickers is when there is power fluctuations. I heard nothing wonky, so I tend to think that's not an issue.

I'll take the back off this weekend and check all the solder connections.

_________________
Peace,

Paul

Power is a possibility, but it would have have to really drop, I think, to be noticeable & I doubt that.

_________________
Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

Well, I'm guessing the bulb/bulb socket interface is the culprit. I schprittzed a little contact cleaner on the contact surfaces, and the problem has vanished for now.

_________________
Peace,

Paul

I have had the same problem with different lampholders - and it's always the mechanical connection between the bottom of the bulb base and the spring-tensioned contact. If the bulb base is not flat enough, there lies the problem. Pull the bulb and carefully file that silver blob a little flatter and you shouldn't see anymore flickering. If you do, then it's some other problem. No contact cleaner needed! CraigB

had the same happen with my 18w and it was just a bad solder joint, didnt care for frequency or volume, it was totally random