Test Lamp from Old Kirby Headlight Socket?

According to official Kirby service manuals, they suggest you can make a test lamp out of the headlight socket used on models 505-515 (part no. A1082).

To do this, hook up the exposed ends of the socket's two wire leads to an attachment male plug (Kirby part no. F1923 or similar), then tin or solder the stripped areas of the longer wire. After tinning or soldering, cut the longer wire in the center of the area you just tinned or soldered to form two probes that will not fray during use.

The test lamp you have just constructed in accordance with the above directions may be used with comparative safety in a variety of situations. When plugged into an electrical outlet or extension cord, only one probe will be HOT. The amount of current used as a testing charge will be limited to the wattage of the bulb in the test lamp socket. An assorted list of applications the test lamp can come in useful for:
* To check continuity of cords.
* To check foot switch or safety switch.
* Check for 'dead' grounds in the motor.
* To check for an 'open' field.
* To check miscellaneous wiring defects.

Optionally, you may add alligator clamps to the ends of the probe wires. But if you do this, make sure the probe wires have insulation tubing over them so you do not accidentally touch the bare terminals.

Use only 120-volt, twin-contact headlight bulbs (Kirby part no. A1650 or similar).

~Ben

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size


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Post# 429463 8/3/2020 at 17:13 (1,355 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes According to official Kirby service manuals, they suggest you can make a test lamp out of the headlight socket used on models 505-515 (part no. A1082). To do this, hook up the exposed ends of the socket's two wire leads to an attachment male plug (Kirby part no. F1923 or similar), then tin or solder the stripped areas of the longer wire. After tinning or soldering, cut the longer wire in the center of the area you just tinned or soldered to form two probes that will not fray during use. The test lamp you have just constructed in accordance with the above directions may be used with comparative safety in a variety of situations. When plugged into an electrical outlet or extension cord, only one probe will be HOT. The amount of current used as a testing charge will be limited to the wattage of the bulb in the test lamp socket. An assorted list of applications the test lamp can come in useful for: * To check continuity of cords. * To check foot switch or safety switch. * Check for 'dead' grounds in the motor. * To check for an 'open' field. * To check miscellaneous wiring defects. Optionally, you may add alligator clamps to the ends of the probe wires. But if you do this, make sure the probe wires have insulation tubing over them so you do not accidentally touch the bare terminals. Use only 120-volt, twin-contact headlight bulbs (Kirby part no. A1650 or similar). ~Ben Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 429472 , Reply# 1 8/3/2020 at 23:30 (1,355 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Hmm* That's actually pretty cool and would be esy to make. Did you know a disposable camera can be made into a taser. Its got a some juice. Les

Post# 429486 , Reply# 2 8/4/2020 at 09:06 (1,354 days old) by texaskirbyguy (Plano, TX)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Cool! Looks like I know what to do with the socket from the unit I gutted for liddykitty. Just need to make a protective cage for it, as those type bulbs are not as easy and cheap to find now. I got some old disposable cameras in the junk box as well as some other broke cameras. Those HV photoflash caps hold some good power and were the only reason i was keeping them. The caps can be used in some old tube gear. Incandescent light bulbs also make good current-limiting devices for testing old TVs and audio equipment. Just screw in your level of power limiting and fire up the UUT. The bulb will glow brightly if there is a dead short (like filter caps) or dimly if a partial short. This method can save the power transformers from opening up or caps from violently exploding.