Vintage fish lo-k-tor flasher bulb

Is the bulb one of those elongated versions of the NE-2? If so they were sometimes used as the 1 "half digit" digit in nixie tube based equipment.

Most neon glow lamps operate at around 90-150v through a suitable series resistor to limit the current.

Have you thought of contacting the manufacture directly? Maybe they can suggest something, or maybe they can supply the original part.

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JANA _____

I recived a Lowrance Fish Lo-K-Tor "Little Green Box" model 505B from a friend. I believe it is a 1960s or 1970s vintage fish finder although I know very little about these. It appears to work, the disk spins, but the flasher bulb is broken. It appears to be neon bulb about 1 inch long. I was told by someone that it probably operates at 600V. I did a search on DigiKey and so no good replacement. I have also searched for schematics on these fish finders on Google and found nothing. Does anyone know any details about these bulbs? What operating voltage? Are there any practical replacements?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

- Rob

Hi Rob...

Do you mean the bulb is broken as in physically broken, or as in doesn't light? :)

If you're meaning it doesn't light, it's far, far, far more likely that the transducer is gone. And remember, it needs at least a reasonable facsimile of looking through water to operate.

On the other hand, if you mean it's physically broken - it's been a long time, but I suspect it's just an ne-51h. If you do decide to try one don't forget to put a resistor in series just in case.

Or, if you'd rather be safe than sorry, try calling fish-lectronics, (763) 571-1277. They are/were in Minneapolis, USA, and might be willing to tell you for sure what it is. Maybe even sell you one if it turns out to be unique.

Good luck, good fishing, and take care.

Ken

Ken Weitzel wrote in news:PPTff.537601$oW2.293137@pd7tw1no:

Thanks for the advice. The light is actually physically broken in two pieces. So I can safely assume the bulb needs replacing. ;) By coincidence, I had already called fish lectronics because I live in Minneapolis. He told me he knew of no replacement for the bulb and did not have any used ones in his shop.

I will look into the NE-51H and see if it looks similar. I know the original bulb looks to be about an inch in length and has bare wire terminals on each end.

- Rob

"JANA" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@uni-berlin.de:

Good point. I was hoping to find something quick on the web. But it appears this is a real hard part to find. I suspect this is something that they don't supply anymore but it is worth a shot.

James Sweet wrote in news:H1Mff.4042$NN2.312@trnddc02:

It could be an NE2 but one lead comes out at each end. The NE2s I have seen on the web have both leads coming out on the same end. However, something like that may work.

- Rob

Hi Rob...

Here's one more thought...

There's one up for auction on e-bay. Comes complete with an (almost the same) manual.

Wondering if you might "ask the seller" if he'd mind reading the manual and seeing if the bulb type isn't mentioned?

Might not work if he's just selling stuff, but if he's another fisherman he probably would be happy to do it for you. Know that I would, anyway. Heck, he might even scan the manual for you :)

If this link is too long, search for fish lo-k-tor; it should be the third (last) one listed.

Take care.

Ken

Yeah I've never seen one with a lead at each end. Does it look like it has long electrodes which glow, or is it more like a neon tube?