Art Deco Wall Light Bulb Advice

[Radio_Doctor]

I bought these to restore and use. They are clearly original. The tubes are nearly 9” long. They are frosted. I can make out Philips 35-80W on one of them. One has continuity across the terminals, the other doesn’t. There seems to be a linear bar rather than a filament.
I’m assuming they are a kind of neon or other equivalent composition.

Can I ask please:
1) Any information about bulb? Any chance of finding replacement? What search terms to use?
2) I’ll rewire. Are these likely to just be mains?

I love them. Should polish up well.

Thanks Kneale

[Graham G3ZVT]

It's a 221mm filament striplight
Still avaliable.

I have a few illuminating display cabinets which I have fitted LED versions which are good and so cool running they will probably outlast me.

[Radio_Doctor]

Thanks Graham - that solves it. May well try LED till a running search finds some frosted tubes. I also wondered about sand blasting a clear tube to attempt to remake the frosting. Don’t know anyone with that equipment however. The frosting certainly adds to the feeling of age.
Appreciated, Kneale

[vidjoman]

I had that type of fitting in my old kitchen but made of plastic. I think they were 12” & 9” length. I’ll have a look as I might still have some left. They should be operated horizontally, not vertically as the strain on the filament will be too great and cause a short life. LED versions can be used either way.

[factory]

Originally Posted by Radio_Doctor

Thanks Graham - that solves it. May well try LED till a running search finds some frosted tubes. I also wondered about sand blasting a clear tube to attempt to remake the frosting. Don’t know anyone with that equipment however. The frosting certainly adds to the feeling of age.
Appreciated, Kneale

I've used glass paint to create some miniature frosted neons for a HP counter, they needed two coats to get a similar finish to the old ones and baking in-between coats to harden the paint used. Might be a bit expensive for larger lamps, the paint used was Pebeo Vitrea 160, I've no idea if a normal mains lamp would survive baking at 160°C.
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1621447&postcount=16

David

[G6Tanuki]

Very similar linear filament bulbs were used in the sorts of brass cased lights often fitted to illuminate paintings etc in posh houses, art galleries etc.

The ones I remember had a glass rod running the length of the envelope, with little wire loops fused into it to support the long and fragile filament.

[newlite4]

These bulbs often turn up in charity shops and car boot sales for a few pounds.
Neil

[Rhgbristol]

Yes - as others have said, these were once quite common, and also used a lot in the typical shaver light fitting so common in bathrooms.

They were either clear or opal glass.

As with all filament lamps, they have been phased out during the last 10/15 years or so.

New old stock however may come up, in the usual places online, or in charity/upcycle type places in the ‘physical’ world!

[bionicmerlin]

These as others have mentioned with this type of of lamp were very common. I used to fit loads under kitchen units and on pictures. Some fittings used to have built in switches in the lamp holder and wouldn’t make contact until the lamp was correctly installed.
The wattage for the old lamps were 30 and 60 watts.
One draw back with the old lamps they don’t last long. Especially under kitchen units any vibration will kill them in no time. LED is probably the best option but some LED light output looks horrible . Depends on what you want it for . Andy

[Trigon.]

There are still incandescent versions in the supply chain. The fitting is an S15s, so a Google search for:-

S15s 221mm 30W -LED

- throws up a few lurking amongst the mass of LED versions returned (because Google thinks you don't really mean 'ignore results with LED' even though you specifically stated it... )

e.g.

https://www.lampwise.co.uk/shop-by-cap/s15-double-ended-tube...D3EkA4lsf2_qksxLEoBu8caApWoEALw_wcB

https://www.bltdirect.com/light-bulbs?filterTechnology=11318...=0AAAAACpp9IaWTufJ4mi8c9lDd8I6fiYTt

https://www.heathfieldled.co.uk/30w-240v-221mm-clear-strip-light-double-2567/

Even coloured ones are available (at a price):-
https://www.uklightstore.co.uk/product-category/tube-strip-lights/221mm-length-tube-strip-lights/

Cheers

[seymour32]

Hi, CP Lighting ( Surbiton) have both incandescent and branded LED in stock, to add to the list of possible suppliers.

[The Philpott]

If you're using a filament replacement and can find a conventional dimmer switch that is rated for that low wattage, use it. Long thin filaments are prone to self destruct if suddenly hit with full voltage.

Dave

[emeritus]

I suppose you could try frosting using some of the carborundum compound that is used for grinding in the valves of car engines, testing it on a piece of glass first and use it on a clear bulb if it works. Wet & Dry abrasive paper might do, but a certain amount of elbow grease would be needed.

[markgengine]

Just to agree with many others that the filaments in these do not last well, I was glad to get rid of ours due to the cost of replacing abut every 3 months.

[Paul_RK]

I think I only replaced ours once in 25 years, in the bathroom I wished we could have brought with us to Norfolk: but use was fairly occasional, and the switch was out of action for a while.

Paul

[broadgage]

Regarding the often short life of the original lamps, sometimes a previous owner of the light fitting, may have altered the internal connections so as to run the two lamps in series, and used 120 volt lamps.
120 volt lamps often had a longer life than similar 240 volt lamps, in many cases.
120 volt in this style are now hard to find.

[Leon Crampin]

I have frosted clear lamps by sticking on thin tissue paper, using diluted PVA adhesive. A high dissipation lamp might scorch the paper....

Leon.

[turretslug]

Kneale, are you likely to attend any of the East Anglia-type locale vintage events, e.g. Biggleswade or Ramsay in the near future? When moving house recently, I found I had a carton of NOS in the loft, salvaged from a works skippage way back. You're welcome to a quantity of these free if you like, I'm reluctant to post items as intrinsically fragile as these from both the glass and filament aspect, besides which postage costs would probably make them as expensive as any from an accredited supplier,

Colin.

[Glowing Bits!]

Frosted LED versions are available in different colours and look like normal glass type, got one in the shaver light and it works nicely.

[Philips210]

As others have pointed out, these filament striplight bulbs often had a short life due to the vulnerable long filament. My late mother had a filament striplight over her dressing table. The bulbs typically lasted for around six months and became a bit pricey to replace each time.

I stumbled across an interesting project in Elektor magazine. It was a "Lamp Saver" from the September 1984 issue. The circuit is based on a zero crossing switch which significantly reduces the voltage surge at switch on. I built the circuit and was pleased to report that no further bulbs failed in over three years.
A very worthwhile circuit to build especially now as availability of filament striplight bulbs is not so easy these days.

Regards,
Symon