This is very funny. I was just looking to find a similar solution for my laboval. Haven't measured it yet, but it keeps blowing the light bulbs. Do you run it at 110 or 220V?
I did some more research on this since and actually measured my Laboval 4. I don't think it is necessary to replace the entire microscope yet depending on the purpose. These are actually pretty decent for standard and eduactional applications. Finding replacement parts for the optical and mechanical sytems is actually pretty easy and relatively cheap. The electrical components are a little more tricky but often can be replaced with slightly different modern parts from a Radio Shack etc.
Since your microscope is set to the 110V setting on the switch that was included in US market models you should really measure around 6V at the lamp. Given that your 9V reading is correctly measured you could then check if your model has trim pots. They look like two upstanding blue blocks on the PCB with a bit of red paint on top. The two screws on top are the trim pots. One is for the maximum voltage, the other for the minimum voltage. You should be able to reduce the max voltage to 6V.
Make sure that the old pot for the brightness adjuster still works correctly. It turns out that mine is not working properly and needs to be replaced. There are still a few sources for the original parts, both in Europe and here in the US, but something basic like this can also be replaced with a pot from an electronic store. From what I understand, if the pot is dead your readings may also be off.
This is for informational puposes only and I would advice every one to have this done by a pro or at least apply standard safety precausions when dealing with electricity. Don't touch anything with both hands when the microscope is plugged in and the electrical compartment is open.I did some more research on this since and actually measured my Laboval 4. I don't think it is necessary to replace the entire microscope yet depending on the purpose. These are actually pretty decent for standard and eduactional applications. Finding replacement parts for the optical and mechanical sytems is actually pretty easy and relatively cheap. The electrical components are a little more tricky but often can be replaced with slightly different modern parts from a Radio Shack etc.
Since your microscope is set to the 110V setting on the switch that was included in US market models you should really measure around 6V at the lamp. Given that your 9V reading is correctly measured you could then check if your model has trim pots. They look like two upstanding blue blocks on the PCB with a bit of red paint on top. The two screws on top are the trim pots. One is for the maximum voltage, the other for the minimum voltage. You should be able to reduce the max voltage to 6V.
Make sure that the old pot for the brightness adjuster still works correctly. It turns out that mine is not working properly and needs to be replaced. There are still a few sources for the original parts, both in Europe and here in the US, but something basic like this can also be replaced with a pot from an electronic store. From what I understand, if the pot is dead your readings may also be off.
This is for informational puposes only and I would advice every one to have this done by a pro or at least apply standard safety precausions when dealing with electricity. Don't touch anything with both hands when the microscope is plugged in and the electrical compartment is open.
Answers & Comments
This is very funny. I was just looking to find a similar solution for my laboval. Haven't measured it yet, but it keeps blowing the light bulbs. Do you run it at 110 or 220V?
I did some more research on this since and actually measured my Laboval 4. I don't think it is necessary to replace the entire microscope yet depending on the purpose. These are actually pretty decent for standard and eduactional applications. Finding replacement parts for the optical and mechanical sytems is actually pretty easy and relatively cheap. The electrical components are a little more tricky but often can be replaced with slightly different modern parts from a Radio Shack etc.
Since your microscope is set to the 110V setting on the switch that was included in US market models you should really measure around 6V at the lamp. Given that your 9V reading is correctly measured you could then check if your model has trim pots. They look like two upstanding blue blocks on the PCB with a bit of red paint on top. The two screws on top are the trim pots. One is for the maximum voltage, the other for the minimum voltage. You should be able to reduce the max voltage to 6V.
Make sure that the old pot for the brightness adjuster still works correctly. It turns out that mine is not working properly and needs to be replaced. There are still a few sources for the original parts, both in Europe and here in the US, but something basic like this can also be replaced with a pot from an electronic store. From what I understand, if the pot is dead your readings may also be off.
This is for informational puposes only and I would advice every one to have this done by a pro or at least apply standard safety precausions when dealing with electricity. Don't touch anything with both hands when the microscope is plugged in and the electrical compartment is open.