Bradfort Zodiac love tester

[badpenny]

I just looked at THIS

[widget2k4]

I got as far as the toothpaste method with no luck. I didn't want to try solvents in case it removed the paint off it.

[raj]

I would experiment with ordinary wood dye in an inconspicuous place and see if that does the trick.....

[woody2]

On American Restoration "King of Signs" they had a 4-sided UK machine - worth a watch.

[jimmycowman]

What channel.

[woody2]

Blaze

[coppinpr]

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

Bought this, because I liked the look of it. Now I need to make it work. This has to be the simplest wiring on any machine, ever, but either I'm using the wrong battery or every bulb is blown (this only arrived today so it's not in pieces yet and testing a bulb means removing the light board to remove one). I don't want to attempt anything until I know the correct battery I should be using, so, which one please? And if anyone knows what replacement bulbs? (although once I get one out I should know the answer to both, just wanted to know TODAY!!!)

Oh, and that Yale lock, anyone know where I can get one? I can't re-key, this one is broken inside.

[treefrog]

Never had one, so can't help on voltage. I do have lots of Yale locks

What is the mechanism, is this just simple bulbs from some contact mechanism? If so, can you not checkout the voltage on the bulbs? I assume they are not in series.

[coppinpr]

If so, can you not checkout the voltage on the bulbs?

I can and I will but won't have time to dismantle the machine till late in the week and can't remove a bulb till I dismantle. No access to the bulbs from the position you see below. Was just trying to find out in advance so I can buy a battery in readyness.

If you could sell me a lock Tom I would be very grateful (photo below)

[treefrog]

Maybe you could start at 1.5 and work your way upwards, unless someone in the know comes back with an answer.....

Ping me dimensions of lock and will check, so barrel length, diameter and case size.

[JC]

4.5v flat batteries were often favourite with this type machine - you didn't mention what battery you were using? (If it was a car battery, you've blown all the bulbs)

[coppinpr]

I had tried 1.5 then 2 x 1.5 and no joy. I'm thinking someone before me might have used a car battery.

[treefrog]

See below

[coppinpr]

As expected the machine came to life when the 4.5v battery arrived today. Not so easy to get these days, RS delivered it free for a price of £1.85. The new battery and clean contacts brought all the bulbs back to life, except one. Has anyone got or had one of these machines? I can't easily see how to remove a bulb and don't want to force anything. The bulb holder is completely hidden so I can't even see if they are screw or bayonet bulbs (most likely screw ) The bulbs won't rotate or press and turn at all. The bulb has too big a globe to pull backwards out of the board. It appears the holder is held in by the large globe of the bulb. I'm thinking the bulbs are corroded into the holders. Any advice before I lean on the dead bulb?

[widget2k4]

When I had mine they were screw in bulbs. The bulb holder looked like a spring and were a nightmare to get out as they rust in. When you try screwing the bulb out, in mine, the glass part always came out or smashed and I had to remove the remainder of the bulb with pliers. Mine also had to come out the board from the back with a screw - bad design, as the wires always snapped when disturbed as well. I ended up totally rewiring mine because of that.

[coppinpr]

Thanks widg, that's helpful.

[coppinpr]

All finished now with thanks to Tom for a perfect new lock