BulbCollector Forums

BULB DISCUSSION BOARDS => Christmas Lighting => Topic started by: geraldmusic on May 12, 2009, 03:57:13 am

Title: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on May 12, 2009, 03:57:13 am

Anyone out there ever heard of ...

(I'm new to posting. Hope I get this right.)

I have figural incandescent screw-base Christmas bulbs that look like, but are smaller than, c6 bulbs, and I have no fixture into which to screw them. I don't even know what to call such a thing. The only way I can get light out of them is with a 9 volt battery - which makes them light up brightly enough so that I worry about frying them.

Help!

g

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on May 12, 2009, 10:46:45 pm

Me again ...


Are THESE smaller than C6??

http://bulbcollector.com/gateway/Incandescent_Lamps/Christmas_Sets/image/xs0002.jpg&img=&tt=


g

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: Tim on May 12, 2009, 11:09:59 pm

Welcome to the forum.  The lamps in your referenced link are midget based Christmas lamps.  They are very small.  Some confusion exists for me when you refer to "C6" since this nomenclature is used to describe the physical shape and size of the bulb's envelope - not the base.  It really has nothing to do with the size of the bulb's base though many people use the term to loosely describe miniature Edison based Christmas lamps.

I don't know of any Edison screw bases that are sized between "miniature" and "midget", so I'm not sure what you have.  I don't have calipers handy to take measurements of the two base sizes but these specs should be easily found with a little google searching.

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on May 14, 2009, 01:00:58 am

THANKS, Tim!

Instead of saying C6, I should refer to the BASS size: "miniature" meaning E10 (Edison screw, 10 mm).

My smaller (Christmas) figural lamps have shouldered brass screw-bases 5 mm. wide (as close as I can measure with a ruler) insulated with fiberboard (not black glass).
I was told they are "6 volt" bulbs, which fairly matches what I see on the box in the previously-referenced link: "5 - 7 VOLT MIDGET BASS" - which also specifies: "midget based series lamps for use in 20-30 light sets."

So, if my 5mm-wide screw-bass lamps ARE "midget" bulbs, any ideas how might I find something with which to make them light up?? (I've been looking on eBay for half a year with no luck)

THANKS AGAIN, EITHER WAY,
Jerry

      

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: Yulelights76 on May 14, 2009, 11:50:01 am

After some searching I found both sizes of bases.
For the miniature (E10) size socket buy Radio Shack part #272-356 or 272-357.
Or Jameco Electronics part# 35LH010
Link to: http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=394329&

For the midget base (E5) size socket buy Jameco Electronics part# 352-0100.
Link to : http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=394345&
I hope this helps you out. See my website for more information on miniature sets.

If you can please post photo of your bulbs. It helps to include a familiar item like a coin to show relative size.

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on May 14, 2009, 03:26:13 pm

Wow!

You're the "Yulelights Collection" guy!?

I've been quoting you - to an eBay seller who's trying to claim her flame lights are:
"VERY OLD FLAME TIPPED CHRISTMAS BULBS FROM THE 50's!!! YOU CAN'T FIND THESE ANYMORE!"
(image attached)

I cited your:
"Flame bulbs for use in candelabras, from the late 1970s..
The packaging was designed to look like a matchbook.
Still sold today, though they're hard to find. I've seen them at Wal - Mart."

I talked to Jameco.
They said the midget socket you referenced had an interior dimensionof "7.13 mm."
Wouldn't an E5 bulb just rattle around in such a socket?

I've also heard these bulbs called:
"6 V LES SCREW IN PEPPER CHRISTMAS BULB(S)"
(attached image)

Do these match your:
"Here's a sample of sub-miniature base Christmas Bulbs from the early 1960s.
The screw base is only 13/64 inch (5 Millimeters) in diameter.
Also shown are 2 modern wedge base bulbs for comparison."?
(also attached)

THANKS AGAIN,
g

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on May 27, 2009, 01:04:29 am

Hi!

At the suggestion of Yulelights76 I have here-attached a picture of some of my "smaller than c6" (I should have said "E5" in my forum posting) bulbs - for which I'm still looking for something with which to make them light up.

I THINK all the following terms apply to these small-sized, screw-base bulbs:
- E5
- 6 volt
- midget
  (also applied to the type known variously as:
  "mini" / "miniature" / "twinkle" / "fairy" / "Italian" / "push-in" / "wedge-bass" / "T 1 3/4" / "0.5w")
- sub-miniature
- pepper
- LES (= Lilliput Edison Screw)

g

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: Yulelights76 on May 28, 2009, 12:39:05 am

Wow I didn't know of that last description. "LES (= Lilliput Edison Screw) "That's news to me.
Light bulbs are usually described by a system which includes base type and bulb envelope type/size.
For example miniature base, T-3 refers to 3/8 inch diam base, tubular bulb, 3/8 inch diameter.
I have not seen figural bulbs that small before. I know that E5 base bulbs are still sold in Great Britain.
That's the purpose of the bulb forums everyone learns something!
Yulelights76

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on June 12, 2009, 12:13:58 am

Hi!

THANKS, yulelights76, for your post under Christmas lighting/"smaller than c6" re the Lilliput Edison Screw aka sub-miniature aka midget bulbs.

After extensive searching on eBay, I found a couple strings with which I am now able to light up my E5 (sic) figurals!

GRATEFULLY,
g

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: markie4now on June 30, 2009, 01:38:08 pm

That's excellent, Gerald!  I was going to suggest the eBay UK sight. 

So, what are the light strands actually called?

Thanks!
Mark
(eBay seller Markie4now)

Title: Re: smaller than c6
Post by: geraldmusic on July 09, 2009, 12:47:50 am

Hi Markie4now!

Thanks for the post.

I think the Brits, wherefrom (I think) all my
midget/sub-miniature/pepper/E5/6v/Lilliput screw-base
bulbs and strands have come, refer to their BULBS/LAMPS
as "globes" (round or not) and use the 
"pepper" and "Lilliput screw-base" nomencalture,
but I am unaware of any special terminology for their strands.
(I've heard "string" and "outfit" used, but I don't think THESE terms are particularly British.)

Thanks Again,
g

P.S.
Is the eBay UK sight called "cgi..." - and to what do these letters refer??