I recently traded an EM machine for another. But the one I traded had a short and it kept blowing the GI light circuit fuse. This just so happened to occur after I changed many of the bulbs on the machine. Luckily the trading partner was a lot smarter than I, and he told me it was a short in the strip light socket and fixed himself and was no big deal for him.

With the hope i can ovoid this in the future, I am asking what causes the short on the strip light socket?

It looks like power is supplied on one side onto the strip itself and then return side (is that correct?) is wired to the individual bayonettes.

Also, why does the pin on the bottom side pop out when a bulb is inserted? It seems counterintuitive to me.

If the insulator were to pop out on the bayonette....then you would get a direct short circuit...correct?

If the wire on the bayonette were to make direct contact with the strips metal assembly (see pic) ---then that would cause the short also? Thinking yes to all of these...but dont want to assume anything.

Where would you get corrosion on the bayonette that would cause poor connection? Can you just clean it off with a dremel tool or abrasive pad ?

light socket pic1 (resized).JPG

light socket pic2 (resized).JPG

Yes...thanks Bill...

I was looking at it some more --and I do see that is just a spring that is popping out ---i think to create back pressure on the bulb for better connection.

Let me ask a follow up ......If the barrel can be easily rotated around ---with little to no resitance ---then doesnt that mean the connection between the power supply and the barrell (and thus the circuit) is compromised? Should that barrel turn is that a sign it is loose and no good anymore? Can you solder around the outer edge to repair this?

I have one of those tools you mention...from PBR ---It seems if there is corrosioin you are worried about causing a bad connection it is INSIDE that barrel. Correct? You are not worried about any potential corrosion between the spring pin and the return wire etc. Am i getting that right?

thank you all for your responses.

I believe I am just starting to make some ground on understanding these EM machines thanks to all the great help this site has.

In fact, if it were not for pinside and a few other sites, I am pretty sure I wouldnt know jack about these machines.