[vts1134]

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

vts1134,

While it is possible that some component in the set has failed, you seem to have followed a logical step-by-step trouble shooting path and you have not located the problem. Let's do a little thinking out side of the box.

My favorite kind of thinking!

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

1) Is the variac that you are using an old fashion one with an autoformer and a mechanical slider in it?

Yes

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

1a) If yes, have you checked the output voltage with a different volt meter? It is possible that the built-in volt meter is off.

I hadn't until just now. It didn't occur to me that the meter could be off. Turns out it was. The built in meter reads low, 95v is actually more like 110v. 120v is more like 140v. Unfortunately with ACTUAL input voltages at line level the spark still happens in the 1X2, but ACTUAL input levels at 115 are ok. The last 10v on the input side are the killer.

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

2) Does your variac, or your service bench, have a constant-voltage transformer in it?

No

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

3) Are you confusing impedance with resistance? If not, how are you checking inductance?

I'm not sure what you mean here, so I probably am.

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

4) As a final suggestion, since Pittsburgh is a large city, see if you can find a volunteer who is familiar with 60 year old electronic circuits to double check both the value and wiring of your replacement capacitors.

It has been my experience that I can almost never find an error that that I made while repairing a circuit.

I do have some one locally that I could take the set to. I'm not sure I'm at that stage yet. If every one here is at that point with me then let me know and I'll cease my daily questions, no hard feelings .

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

Please understand, in my 60 year involvement with electronic circuits, I have been tripped up by each of the above mentioned items.

James.

I still run into things in my job that end up being a forehead slapper after hours of trouble shooting only to realize "press the power button" or any number of other day 1 lessons. It's always, always, always ok to "think outside the box" with me or "talk to my like I'm stupid" because I'll either learn something new or reinforce something I already know, either way I don't take offense.