Grundig bulbs

[stevehertz]

I bought a quantity of bulbs rated at 6 - 7V, 30mA for use in a Grundig radio. It was an absolute pig to remove the old ones so I was glad when all three new ones went in. That was until I switched on and the bulbs barely glowed orange. It led to me spending 'too much' time trying to find the fault, thinking that a DC supply was down or something. Eventually I tested the bulbs on the bench with a variable PS, and found that at 7V the current was 60mA! and even then, they were hardly glowing what you would call brightly. So I'm guessing that their true rating was something like - I can't be sure - 12V, 120mA. Anyways, that's the background..

The bulbs were marked 6 - 7V, 30mA, so it just shows you, don't blindly believe the markings on a component. I contacted the supplier, The Lamp Company Ltd, and I have to return the bulbs. But! they estimate that the wait will be at least 10 - 14 weeks until they get fresh stock from their far east supplier. Blow that. And what's the betting they'd probably be the same again?! Ok, I will return the bulbs but I can't wait that long for replacements. Does anyone know of another supplier of 6 - 7V, 30mA wedge base, capless bulbs of the style shown in the photo? they are about 19mm long.

[Hunts smoothing bomb]

How annoying, they look like 12v 1.2w (100mA) lamps to me, used in fords and other vehicles since the mid 70's to illuminate the coloured ring around the ciarette/cigar lighter!
Looks like they have simply been stamped with another voltage, very naughty!!

Cheers

[stevehertz]

Oh there's a whole host of these bulbs in lots of ratings, all the same style/format. Just a pity I had to need the one that was marked incorrectly! There's got to be other suppliers out there though.

[Andrewausfa]

I was going to suggest Classic Audio Service in Germany but they seem to have shut up shop recently. They had every radio bulb one could think of.

Andrew

[stevehertz]

A bit of further info. The bulbs are physical size T1 1/2 (T1.5). For those interested, the 'T' size of these bulbs refers to their diameter and is ascertained by multiplying the T number (in this case 1 1/2) by 1/8". So, one and a half times one eighth of an inch equals 3/16" (or 4.7mm) diameter. Other T sizes are eg T1, T3, T5 etc.

[tri-comp]

You could check this out at RS-Components: 655-9772
Downside is that you have to buy at least 10ea.

EDIT:
Sorry, Steve.
The RS-lamps are T1 3/4 and possibly too large.
It took a while searching and when I started this post you hadn't made yours above.

[Herald1360]

This outfit may be a possibility:

https://shop.griederbauteile.ch/index.php?cPath=850

look in gluehlampen, there's a 6V 30mA T1.1/2 wedge there.....

[McMurdo]

For what it's worth I've had a few boxes of bulbs off ebay where both box and lamp are marked with one rating and on test they checked out as another. It's not rocket science to check this but it's easy to be caught out in this day and age.

[stevehertz]

Thanks everyone for your inputs, all will be followed up!

[stevehertz]

Please read the first post for this to be relevant and easy to understand.

So, having waited for at least 14 weeks I recontacted The Lamp Company/Easy-Lightbulbs to see if the proper bulbs had arrived. They now say:

"It is looking increasingly unlikely we will be able to obtain the exact rating you require. We ordered 100 pieces but the factory are insisting on 2000 minimum and due to Chinese New Year this information was delayed. As we have very little demand for this item it is going to be unviable for us to proceed. We have left 100 pieces on order in case the factory get another order elsewhere they can tack our 100 pieces onto. Apologies we could not fulfil your order. Good luck finding the items. RS Components used to sell these but that was years ago."

So, I'm back to square one. Can anyone help with three of these bulbs? They're as described in the first post. It's doubtful that there is a stockist in the UK, although of course it's possible that a repair shop somewhere may have a few tucked away in a draw, it's reaching that person that's the problem.

[Oldelectronics]

I dont know if its any good but a lot of vintage motorbikes were 6 volt on a quick look I found these I dont know if these would be any use?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10X-WEDGE-...IAAOSw8cNURjzs

[Cobaltblue]

Hi Steve.

I need a belt for a Satellit 6001 and whilst looking I came across this site.

http://www.radiocorner.de/parts/satparts/

I have not yet contacted the site owner but the site looks to be current.

Cheers

Mike T

[stevehertz]

Thanks guys for those last two posts. I'm on to them and I'll keep you posted.

Re the motorbikes one, the link is not the correct bulb, but at first glance their web site looks as if they have lots of other useful stuff and maybe my bulbs.

The spares pack seems to include what I need so I've fired off an email enquiry.

Thanks again.

[jonnybear]

These are 5mm capless 6 volt bulbs any good.http://www.jcrsupplies.co.uk/product...ATT_No284.html.
John

[stevehertz]

They look like they could do the job. One thing though, my required rating is 6 to 7V (so obviously 6V is ok) but in terms of current rating, the above is rated at '1W', whereas my spec calls for 30mA.

Using simple W=IV, I reckon I need a 0.18W bulb? The one above is going to draw nearly six times the current?

[Herald1360]

If all else fails, could you fit a made up assembly of an inverted cone top LED (as used in Christmas lights and beloved of Big Clive on Youtube) and a couple of miniature wire ended resistors? It should be about the same size and the resistor legs could be wrapped round a small piece of insulating material to simulate the wedge base. It would take slightly less current too.

[Cobaltblue]

Hi Steve

I have now had a very nice reply from Rainer the delay was caused by faulty laptop and we have all been there!

Rainer it seems does stock hard to get Satellit parts including the bulbs.

Cheers

Mike T

[stevehertz]

Oh, a coincidence as I too have just had an email from him saying that he is on holiday. But anyway, he has advised me how I can order from him. I'm getting there..

[Mike. Watterson]

Originally Posted by Oldelectronics

I dont know if its any good but a lot of vintage motorbikes were 6 volt

Interestingly car / bike 6V bulbs are really 7V and 12V types are really 14V.
But a 6V bulb for a torch may only last 500 hours or even only 250 hours on a PSU as it may be really rated for 4.5V or even less (a 6V battery has an endpoint of 4 x 0.9 = 3.6V!).

Panel or pilot bulbs ought to look a little more orange than illumination lamps, so as to give 2,000 or even 5,000 hrs life. Sewing machine lamps (worst!), oven, fridge lamps are very much shorter life than 1950s mains panel bulbs.

Similarly all modern mains filament lamps are much shorter life as today the emphasis is on efficiency rather than life. I remember the PO panel bulbs in BBC were very orangey as they were 5,000 hrs life.

Mains 6.3V gear needs proper "pilot" type long life 7V bulbs, though they may be marked 6.3V, German market ones often marked 7V. But battery transistor sets should use long life panel types too as life is more important than brightness.

[mancunian69]

Ever thought of LED's?
I have some winging their way from far East. 6V MES type. Wedge types are also available.
Look forward to seeing the results.