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Help please!! Horn protection bulb for Ampeg BSE410HLF

Femto

Femto

Jul 5, 2003
430
10
Keighley, W.Yorkshire, England
www.wolf-359.com
#1
Hi,

A month or so ago, I found that my cab was unusually muddy sounding. :eyebrow: After

further investigation, I discovered that the protection bulb had blown. I thought, "oh,

no sweat I'll just pop down to the electronics shop and pick a handful up."

Ha, no chance. I've been searching for weeks now and no joy, so has anyone got any idea

as to

a. What the heck type of wacky bulb this is

and

b. Where I'm likely to get some? :confused: (bulbs) ;)

I'm getting a bit anxious now becuase I have a row of gigs lined up starting in a couple

of weeks :help:

Here's some photos of the one I removed. The straight wires on either side aren't part of the bulb, they've been soldered on (by Ampeg) to mount the bulb onto the circuit board.

Link Removed
Link Removed

Also, in case these bulbs aren't available easily, what voltage and wattage are they so I can find an equivalent?

Thanks people,

Josh
West Yorkshire , England.
 
#5
It's a 36volt, 54 watt (1.5 ampere) bulb. Not easy to find. Theres a speaker place close by me that carries them but they've been out of stock. Ampeg sells them for 6 bucks I believe which if I can find cheaper I'll go that route. Probably only costs them a buck or 2. My 610hlf blew one to and as soon as I can replace the fuse I'm selling that cab. I heard people have gotten by with the 12 volt ones from auto parts places but one of the Forum members who works for Ampeg warns the protection level won't be the same. You could try a motorcycle place or a place that sells parts for trucks.

Good Luck.
 
#7
Right, I'll try a Harley dealer and an aircraft supply shop. Thanks people once again. I've found a bullet ended bulb which is 12v 18w, that also works out at 1.5A so I'll try it tonight once I solder some equipment wire onto it and then if it works okay, I'll post in here so others can at least be sorta sure it's gonna work for them.
As for the protection level, I run with -6dB dialled into the back of the cab anyway so I might get away with it. :rolleyes:
 
#8
The bulb info listed above is correct.

We obviously have the bulbs, but with you in the UK, that may not help you much.

The bulb looks just like several standard 12V types. If you use a 12V type, the protection indeed may be incorrect.

Depends on the rated current of the bulb. If it is similar (1.5A, or 18 watts at 12V) it will act as a fuse. But it will probably be over-sensitive, since it will fail at too low a total power. If the bulb rated current is higher, it won't protect at all, and if the rated bulb current is lower, it won't last long.

The 36V 54W bulb allows the bulb and horn to withstand full power on a powerful unit like the SVT-4PRO, because the sum of the bulb voltage and the allowable voltage on the horn is high enough.

The ones we use are special because they have the extra terminal wires welded on as-received. But there is no reason why wires couldn't be soldered onto the wire loops at the ends of a standard type.

For that matter, if you can find 12V 1.5 A (18 watt) bulbs locally, three in series would be just about as good as the one 36V bulb. They would respond a little slower, and they would be inconvenient to securely attach, but you'd be back in business faster.

I'd think the importer should have the bulbs....we can get them some if they don't have them... or you can get them from us, although I am not clear on the mechanics of ordering direct.

I'll check that out, no sense you waiting so long for a simple part.
 
#9
Service can take international orders from individuals. Typically via credit card, but ask about alternatives.

Due to time differences, and phone costs, email is probably best

Email: [email protected]

Bulb part number is 49-205-01

The shipping may be a bit high, any local sources or the importer may be considerably cheaper, if you can find the part.

BTW, some early units may have several 12V 1A bulbs of the same style instead. I don't think you gave the cabinet model, I can check to be sure what you have if you do.

The 12V are auto "dome lights" (interior lighting) and readily available, since they are used on both US and non-US vehicles.
 
#16
Ummm, it's been 17 years and you are providing incorrect information.

The part you are suggesting is a 12V/2A (part 569/SK3) which is not correct.

The correct part is 36V and 1.5A, available through Ampeg as well as some aircraft supply shops.
 
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#17
All good info though, thanks folks! Some poor soul may come along searching for this info when their 410HLF or similar, built during the "dark times" blows the bulb cos they're cranking the high mids and treble in the attempt to coax some brightness out of the box.

It was just the wrong cab for my tonal preferences. I still use that same Ampeg 810 that I switched to but with an Ampeg V-4B and that amp can really extract some sparkle from my bass, even though I play a passive Thunderbird, which has quite a dark tone anyway.

I think that's what it boils down to, really. I play a dark sounding bass and back in 2004, I was using an Ashdown ABM300 EVO mk1 (dark) with the Ampeg 410HLF "dark times" model.

Wool city! :laugh:
 

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