Hello,

I am new to this forum and have almost no experience with transformers. I am trying to restore life to a 60's-era microscope power supply (American Optical 1036A microscope with a 1051 transformer). Does anyone know if the transformer below is still made, and where I might find one (or its modern equivalent)? What concerns me is that the existing transformer has many different leads that connect to some type of potentiometer, and I haven't really seen anything like it. Photos below.

Specs:
AC, 60 cycle
Primary: 115V
Secondary: 4.5 to 7.5V
29 V.A.

If anyone can help me find the right part, I'd really appreciate it!

Thank you for your time,
Will

 

hi B,
Welcome to AAC.
The transformer has a tapped secondary winding.
Each tap is a slightly different voltage.
The pot is a tap selector switch.
Rotating the switch will supply a different voltage to the lamp, brightness variation.
E

BTW: Why do you think the transformer is at fault.??

 

Have you checked the transformer for open circuit primary with a Multimeter?


Your chances of getting the same physical size and voltages are rare, probably easier to get a Universal DC psu as it's only just for the Bulb to adjust brightness.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Adjustable-AC-DC-Power-adapter-5V-9V-12V-Power-Supply-Charger-LOT-AL/142823434485?hash=item2140f0a8f5:m:m4LTYo_j2KUOk1VHMGRWCUA&var=441826434677

 

Hello,

I am new to this forum and have almost no experience with transformers. I am trying to restore life to a 60's-era microscope power supply (American Optical 1036A microscope with a 1051 transformer). Does anyone know if the transformer below is still made, and where I might find one (or its modern equivalent)? What concerns me is that the existing transformer has many different leads that connect to some type of potentiometer, and I haven't really seen anything like it. Photos below.

Specs:
AC, 60 cycle
Primary: 115V
Secondary: 4.5 to 7.5V
29 V.A.

If anyone can help me find the right part, I'd really appreciate it!

Thank you for your time,
Will

View attachment 155317 View attachment 155318 View attachment 155319 View attachment 155320

Its a wafer switch - not a pot. If its for an illumination bulb, you might get away with a multi voltage DC adaptor as suggested.

If there's any chance of converting to white LED - the lower current draw would make it MUCH easier.

Some super duper microscopes have selectable target illumination colour for investigating stained samples - an RGB LED could have interesting possibilities.

 

This is undoubtedly a custom transformer. If the microscope manufacturer is still operating and if you are very lucky you can get a replacement from them. Otherwise, how are you at building small circuits (I am thinking more common transformer with a dimmer circuit)?

Please consider Dodgydave's post #3, you don't want to go and solve a problem that isn't one. If it turns out to be the transformer one of us can suggest a solution.

 

I'd investigate LED lighting and PWM dimming of both the LED and incandescent variety.

 

I'd investigate LED lighting and PWM dimming of both the LED and incandescent variety.

There's probably off the shelf kit to do that - and I already mentioned an RGB LED could open interesting possibilities.

 

Yep, the RGB LEDS would take the place of the color filters on say an Olympus Microscope I used at work.