Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

danieljnolan · 14th Feb 2018, 1:30 am

Hello!

First post here, as I've just picked up a lovely old Ferguson radiogram shell. It's been stripped of its innards some years ago and used as a cupboard, but I'm restoring it to house my record player and hi-fi equipment.

One thing I noticed is that they have left the bulb inside, which would still be of great use as there's a bit of a shelf over where the record player sits. The bulb is wired to a red cable and a black cable, which just have wire hanging out the end.

Is it going to be possible to wire these up to something and hopefully get the bulb working?

Thanks!

'LIVEWIRE?' · 14th Feb 2018, 9:46 am

The first thing is to establish what kind of bulb - i.e. is it a 240vac mains lamp, if so, it could be connected to the mains input, although a better way would be to wire it via a suitable switch. If the cabinet has a lift-up lid, perhaps a lid operated switch could be fitted. As always, pictures of the cabinet and a picture or info as to exactly what bulb and bulb holder are fitted would help.

FIXITNOW · 14th Feb 2018, 11:24 am

these where often 6.3v and wired from the heater circuit
if it was me I would order a 6volt led bulb from eBay to fit the holder and use a 6 volt plug in power brick and a lid operated switch

'LIVEWIRE?' · 14th Feb 2018, 12:30 pm

I wasn't certain if the OP was referring to scale lamp bulbs (why would these still be there if the cabinet had been 'stripped of it's innards!' ) or if a separate cabinet illumination lamp was present, which is why I commented as I did particularly as only one bulb was mentioned. If indeed one or more MES or similar bulbs are present they may well be 6v3 types, but we need to know how many lamps are present, what wattage & voltage it/they are, and whether , if more than one, they are wired in series or parallel, as all these factors affect the voltage and current capability of any PSU used to run them, as I'm sure you'll agree.

dave walsh · 14th Feb 2018, 3:02 pm

It is confusing chaps-my guess would be a low wattage mains bulb lighting up the original deck. As the OP [original poster] Daniel, you've asked a question that needs more info. If you simply take the bulb out and examine it there may be a voltage rating marked. With that and/or photos it might be possible to assist.

If it is a mains bulb [240v] and not one of a lower voltage eg 6.3v [derived from the original equipment] your task may be simpler. On the other hand are you at all experienced/safe with this sort of thing? We are always concerned about this aspect as some new members don't appreciate the possible complexity or danger that might be involved. Let us know what you find. Do you plan to get involved in the technical side as a hobby or is it a one-off cabinet rescue which we might applaud? What sort of equipment do you intend installing?

Cheers,

Dave W

14th Feb 2018, 1:30 am	#1
danieljnolan Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: London, UK. Posts: 1	Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? Hello! First post here, as I've just picked up a lovely old Ferguson radiogram shell. It's been stripped of its innards some years ago and used as a cupboard, but I'm restoring it to house my record player and hi-fi equipment. One thing I noticed is that they have left the bulb inside, which would still be of great use as there's a bit of a shelf over where the record player sits. The bulb is wired to a red cable and a black cable, which just have wire hanging out the end. Is it going to be possible to wire these up to something and hopefully get the bulb working? Thanks!

14th Feb 2018, 9:46 am	#2
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? The first thing is to establish what kind of bulb - i.e. is it a 240vac mains lamp, if so, it could be connected to the mains input, although a better way would be to wire it via a suitable switch. If the cabinet has a lift-up lid, perhaps a lid operated switch could be fitted. As always, pictures of the cabinet and a picture or info as to exactly what bulb and bulb holder are fitted would help.

14th Feb 2018, 11:24 am	#3
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,976	Re: Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? these where often 6.3v and wired from the heater circuit if it was me I would order a 6volt led bulb from eBay to fit the holder and use a 6 volt plug in power brick and a lid operated switch

14th Feb 2018, 12:30 pm	#4
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? I wasn't certain if the OP was referring to scale lamp bulbs (why would these still be there if the cabinet had been 'stripped of it's innards!' ) or if a separate cabinet illumination lamp was present, which is why I commented as I did particularly as only one bulb was mentioned. If indeed one or more MES or similar bulbs are present they may well be 6v3 types, but we need to know how many lamps are present, what wattage & voltage it/they are, and whether , if more than one, they are wired in series or parallel, as all these factors affect the voltage and current capability of any PSU used to run them, as I'm sure you'll agree.

14th Feb 2018, 3:02 pm	#5
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Ferguson Radiogram lightbulb refurbishment? It is confusing chaps-my guess would be a low wattage mains bulb lighting up the original deck. As the OP [original poster] Daniel, you've asked a question that needs more info. If you simply take the bulb out and examine it there may be a voltage rating marked. With that and/or photos it might be possible to assist. If it is a mains bulb [240v] and not one of a lower voltage eg 6.3v [derived from the original equipment] your task may be simpler. On the other hand are you at all experienced/safe with this sort of thing? We are always concerned about this aspect as some new members don't appreciate the possible complexity or danger that might be involved. Let us know what you find. Do you plan to get involved in the technical side as a hobby or is it a one-off cabinet rescue which we might applaud? What sort of equipment do you intend installing? Cheers, Dave W