Tech question for Trace Elliot AH350SMX

[Turdmillsmith]

Amp sounds great and funcitions 99%. No qualms w/ the operation at all.

I simply want to find out how to get the silly black light to work.

I found the on / off switch for the light. Changed the bulb, too! No dice. A friend told me that its possible that the ballast went out but I can't identify where that is so that I can figure out how to test it and get another if it's bad.

Everything in the amp says it was made in September of '93. If anyone has any information on this I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks.

TMS

[Turdmillsmith]

OK. For the sake of anyone else who has the same issue:

Inside the amp there is a bracket that the toroidal transformer is mounted on top of. The ballast for the lamp is rivetted to the chassis underneath that bracket. The fluorescent bulb starter is bolted on one of the bracket legs facing the back of the amp. Probably is white plastic and about 1" tall by 3/4" in diameter. The one in my amp had a blob of melted glue run over it and the base it mounts to to keep it from vibrating loose. Cut the glue from btw the base and the starter and give it 1/4 turn to pop it out. I replaced the starter w/ one I found at a hardware store rated for up to 20w. The bulb is only 15w so it will be fine. Tested w/ a new bulb and new starter and Bob's yer Uncle. Hit it w/a blob from the hot glue gun before putting everything back together.

Dave from British Audio Service in Sugar Grove, IL talked me through what to look for so props to that guy.

Whole process took less than 20 minutes from start disassembly to assembly complete. The starter was $1.40 and the black light bulb was just under $6.00. Found them both at the big orange hardware store.

TMS