1965 Realistic Carnival 6AQ5 Conversion Ideas

[misterc57]

Likely final schematic...

[misterc57]

Any idea what kind of light this is? It ties to the mains switch via a 100K resistor (red wire) and the other side (black wire) goes to ground.

May be a sealed unit?

[mozz]

Neon.

[misterc57]

Neon.

I have a few other neon bulbs. None worked. How much VAC is needed to light these? I am seeing about 20 VAC across the red wire (100K R) and black wire (chassis ground).

Thank you

[mozz]

Most neons i saw have a 100k resistor and will fire at 80v? So maybe it's just bad or the resistor is bad?

[misterc57]

Most neons i saw have a 100k resistor and will fire at 80v? So maybe it's just bad or the resistor is bad?

The resistor measures good at 101K so it seems to be dropping about 100 VAC.

I am thinking of using a LED instead such as this one. https://tubedepot.com/products/alpin...al-pilot-light

Is states you can connect to 120 VAC without a dropping resistor. Do the leads connect to HOT and Ground or HOT and NEUTRAL?

Thank you

[Helmholtz]

It makes no sense that the lamp connects to chassis ground.
Rather it should be connected across the PT primary.

A neon should read open resistance when disconnected from circuit.

[misterc57]

It makes no sense that the lamp connects to chassis ground.
Rather it should be connected across the PT primary.

A neon should read open resistance when disconnected from circuit.

My 3 neon bulbs were all open resistance out of circuit.

So maybe I should test the old neon again. I'm not used to dealing with these neon bulbs. Do they all require a higher voltage as Mozz mentioned 80 VAC? I only see about 20 VAC across the bulb base.

Perhaps I should test it with a pot instead of the dropping resistor and see if I can get it to turn on.

Sometimes I feel like I ask stupid questions but I would rather ask first then make a mistake that takes out a component.

Thank you all!

[misterc57]

It makes no sense that the lamp connects to chassis ground.
Rather it should be connected across the PT primary.

A neon should read open resistance when disconnected from circuit.

Wait. Are you saying the neon should not be connected to chassis ground? Or were you just referring to the LED bulb I was considering?

Thank you

[Helmholtz]

That 20VAV might be a ghost voltage.
A neon "drops" between 60V and 90V, but always requires a large current limiting resistor.
If it's actually a neon, lowering the series resistor is not a good idea.

It's generally not a good idea to wire anything between mains line and ground.

[misterc57]

That 20VAV might be a ghost voltage.
A neon "drops" between 60V and 90V, but always requires a large current limiting resistor.
If it's actually a neon, lowering the series resistor is not a good idea.

It's generally not a good idea to wire anything between mains line and ground.

So it turns out the neon bulb is fine. Switching the black wire from ground to PT primary neutral, did the trick.

Big thanks again!

[misterc57]

Added neon bulb to schematic. Please advise if you see any issues. Thank you