A customer of mine called to find out if I could find a "neon tester" for him. I got one for him from a local supplier but it isn't what he was looking for. We tried it and it didn't work anyway. So, he says what he's looking for looks like a Dremel but only with a tip similar to a soldering iron. Its electric powered and will light up a neon tube (and many other bulbs) when touched to it. Any ideas?
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
You can still buy these things new, and a sign supply store is the right place to look, but you'll have just as good luck at e-bay, under the heading antiques, medical. They are (or were) considered "quack devices" or violet-ray machines used to treat skin conditions. No, I'm not making this up. The neon tester and violet-ray device are one and the same animal. They are familar to any Tesla fan as small versions of Tesla's famous "coil". They produce very high voltages at radio frequencies...small radio transmitters, if you like. The high frequency can excite gasseous tubes to full brilliance from a surprising distance away. I am an unabashed Tesla freak from the git-go. I build fairly big coils 2-3 KW. I've often thought it would be fun to set one up at one of our electrical trade shows and light every neon and fluorscent tube in the place for kicks...it's quite a show. hk
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
I think that is is what we're looking for. Posted by Glenn Dewey (Member # 1804) on :
Brian
Call Mid west sign 1 800 242 7430
page 46 its called a electro technic products tube tester
it should run you around $150.00
or you can write the company or call information for the phone #
eletro technic products inc 4042 north ravenswood chiicago,IL.
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
Thanks guys!
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Brian, You might want one like I got. Its a battery-powered tester for virtually all gas lamps including neon, metal halite, high or low pressure sodium, flourescent, and mercury vapor. it also checks ballast secondaries and continuity. The unit looks like a walkie talkie and has a retractable antenna as well as test leads. Just point the antenna at the unit you want to check, push a button, and if it's good it will light up. Its made in Germany and the address on the box says BEHA Corp.,13191 56th court, Clearwater, FL, 33520. Phone is 1-800-237-5877. Its called a LT-277 Gas lamp tester, cat. #5712. I highly recommend it; it saved me I don't know how many hours of detective work back when I was servicing electric signs. Good luck !
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