An odd C6 tree topper/centerpiece

[eholzenberg]

I discovered that the late Bill Nelson's site was down a few weeks ago when I tried to e-mail the following query; so I'm posting it here in hopes one of you can help.

I recently acquired an old electric tree topper/angel chimes (I'd include a picture, but I don't know how). It runs by screwing a terminal into a single socket of an old C6 light string. I plan to use it as a table decoration rather than a tree topper, and I'm not sure I want to surround the base with a lit string of C6 lights (although I do make use of a table lamp dimmer on my tree -- one of many useful tips I learned from Bill's site, by the way!)

Is it possible to wire a single C6 socket at the end of a piece of lamp cord, and run the thing that way? Or will that deliver too much current to the single socket? Any suggestions appreciated!

Cheers,

Eric

[jonathan cassiday]

hello again!
it is sad to hear of bills death. His web site got me interested in collecting all things old christmas. about your question on the centerpiece, it was ment to run between 12-15 volts and if you connect it directly to the wall socket you will burn it up. The simple solution is to find a transformer to step the voltage down from 120 volt to anything between 12 and 15 volts. i would recomend a  doorbell transformer to step down the voltage. I believe the instructions that would have origanly come with your tree topper also mentioned use of a doorbell transformer to run the chimes. anyone else have an idea?

*edit* I think this might be a picture of what you are talking about.

 http://web.archive.org/web/20031219223518/http://www.oldchristmaslights.com/ Propp%20Treetopper.jpg  http://web.archive.org/web/20031219223518/http://www.oldchristmaslights.com/Propp%20Treetopper%20box.jpg

the packaging states it to be for 15 volts, so anything 15 volts to 12 volts should be used to power the item
 
jonathan Cassiday

[This message has been edited by jonathan cassiday (edited October 25, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by jonathan cassiday (edited October 25, 2004).]

[Tim]

Hi Eric,

If you have what I think you have then I believe this is an early piece and perhaps rare.  Please use caution when powering it and don't connect it across 110 volts!!!  Maybe someone else here can provide more details on this item...

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Tim
Kilokat's Antique Light Bulb Site
Mountain Dew Collectibles, Volume I