[sdiy] sort of OT: Ward Airline phono input test: success!

[anthony]

>I have a cool looking Bendix Marine radio all tube, probably from the 50's,
> anyone got something good to trade for it??
>
> Only thing is you need to get an isolation transformer for the thing.  Two
> conductor AC cord and the chassis can give you a nasty shock...  Watch out
> for this on what you are working on.
>
> Barry

I get around this by using two power transformers with their secondaries 
connected together, so you get step-down-step-up. TADA! Instant isolation 
transformer. Put it in a box with a grounded plug, but not a grounded, nor 
polarized socket and it's a handy-dandy benchtop tool. Put a porcelain light 
socket on top with a big bulb, say 100W, hook it up in series with one of 
the lines and a switch to bypass it and you can use it to check for shorts 
safely. (Using mirrors on your shoes is unsafe...)


cheers,
aa