[tfonzart]

Just for more details, the first thing I did was to replace the nasty cracked power cord and added an inline fuse. That all tested fine as did the switch.

I removed every connection from the transformer except for the two power lines as you suggest and still fail the dim bulb test.

Rod, if you do have a replacement, I'd be interested and posted in the want ad forum. I also happen to live in Minnesota not far from you.

Thanks to you both for the expertise.