Elevaterd heaters and Marshall 6v pilot light

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
Overtone85
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:42 am

Elevaterd heaters and Marshall 6v pilot light

Post by Overtone85 »

Hi Everyone! first post here, I hope it's the right section.

I am preparing to build a 12000 series plexi replica where I will be using elevated heaters. As a pilot light I am using this one:
https://modulusamplification.com/Marsha ... 03849.aspx

Looks like a white LED inside the red plastic.

For the heater elevation voltage divider I will use a 1M+100K resistor combo and a 47uF 100v cap. Just like user fourT6and2 did in his SLO clone.
The PT has dual secondaries and I will use a ON-OFF-ON standby switch to select between 500v and 465v B+. The DC reference for the heaters should be between 42 and 45/46 volts depending which B+ setting I use.

I'd like to know what precautions I should take to prevent this light from failing. I don't know the actual specs of it.

I just learned that some pilot lights have a built-in diode but I don't know if this one has it.
I know I can put a resistor in series with the light (Ceriatone does it, with a 1K) but i don't know if this one needs it.
I've read about reverse parallel diode but how do I check which is anode / cathode on the light?

Do you know if this is the genuine Marshall spare part? If yes do these lights fail because of marshall installing them without protection like the purple lights for the Vintage Modern amp?

By the way, the wires on the light are red and blue, not black like the picture.

Thanks in advance.
User avatar
M Fowler
Posts: 14036
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:19 am
Location: Walcott ND

Re: Elevaterd heaters and Marshall 6v pilot light

Post by M Fowler »

That light looks like a 6.3v type connect to your filament supply.

Some LED lights have a dropping resistor built in.
Overtone85
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:42 am

Re: Elevaterd heaters and Marshall 6v pilot light

Post by Overtone85 »

I know that some LEDs have built-in resitors but how do I know if this one has it before risking to fry it?
User avatar
martin manning
Posts: 14308
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:43 am
Location: 39°06' N 84°30' W

Re: Elevaterd heaters and Marshall 6v pilot light

Post by martin manning »

Ask Modulus (guitarmike2107 on this forum). My guess is that if it runs from a 6V supply (AC? DC?) as advertised, it must have a current limiting resistor and probably a diode to prevent reverse breakdown built in.
Post Reply