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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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7th Nov 2016, 9:22 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 145
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Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
I bought this set ages ago and Christmas is coming allegedly.
There are 8 of the mes bulb holders, 7 tubes and 7 base coloured globes. Out of the bulbs only one tests as functional. With my eyepiece I believe they are 30V, 4W. Can I ask: 1) I can't find these bulbs anywhere. Any suggestions? They are larger than the standard radio mes, presumably with a function of heating the liquid in the tubes. 2) Assuming I can't buy spare bases and tubes, is there a safe work around for the missing bulb/base? Guess I could just buy the 8 bulbs if they are available anywhere and run one as freestanding. This won't be left on unsupervised and please assume no toddlers able to poke. I have done a fair search for these bulbs and failed so far. Any advice appreciated. Kneale |
7th Nov 2016, 9:25 pm | #2 |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 145
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
Can't seem to load photos - sorry for ineptitude!
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7th Nov 2016, 9:35 pm | #3 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,788
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
It is reasonably easy to find 34V 3W MES bulbs as these were used in those sets of 7 'candles' which used to be popular. I don't know if the bulb envelope would fit though.
The only alternative I can think of is to use 24V 2W or 5W automotive bulbs and fit a 1N4007 in the plug to reduce the power appropriately. You might have to experiment a bit. 7 lamps will probably work better than 8 with this setup. |
7th Nov 2016, 9:40 pm | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,803
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
It may need the full 4W from each bulb to heat each bubble tube to make it work.
David
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12th Nov 2016, 5:55 pm | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Somerset, UK.
Posts: 2,129
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
4 watt E10 bulbs in any voltage are hard to find.
I have seen 5 watt E10 bulbs in both 12 volt and 24 volt on eBay and elsewhere. I would be inclined to try the 24 volt ones, either 10 in series or 7/8 in series and a dropper resistance. I suspect that these are intended for vehicle use and therefore probably designed for an actual 28 volts. If run at 23 or 24 volts they should have a long life and also not dissipate the full 5 watts. In the past I have used 6 volt 3 watt cycle dynamo bulbs in bubble lights, 12 in series from a 70 volt transformer. |
16th Nov 2016, 1:36 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wimborne, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 1,407
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
RS have these:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/filame...lamps/1717018/ They are rated at 3.6v 1A so close to the 4w rated output you need but coming up with a 28.8v PSU might be the tricky part. Cheers
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Lee |
16th Nov 2016, 2:16 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,528
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
28.8V sounds like charging voltage for a 24V lead acid battery.
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16th Nov 2016, 3:21 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 840
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Re: Pifco Bubblelites bulb query
I have some MES 24 Volt bulbs, round and about 3 Watts. Would they be any use? They are underdriven at 24 so I don't think 30 would be a problem.
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