Recently had a couple of GE "W1A" lamps arrive. They look identical to the popular AR-1, and indeed have the same argon fill verified by holding them against a "plasma sphere". The bulbs are a little shorter than the AR-1s I have here, but the difference is not too noticeable. The only markings are the GE Meatball and the W1A designation, printed on the top of the envelope.
Has anyone ever come accross this designation before? And if so, do you know if they`re just the same as AR1s, ie, 120 volts, or if they are another configuration like 240v or direct-drive? With a screw base I would have thought there`d be a resistor in there, but I had a peer down through the stem and it looks like there`s not any ballast resistance. It could be round the side of the neck I suppose, but I can see the one in the 120 volt AR1s through the stem so....?
Suffice to say, I havn`t tried to power one yet. Not having seen that particular designation before, and knowing the current market value of the more common AR-1, I won`t do unless I know for sure what its operating requirements are. Don`t want to blow one to bits
I`d take a photo to prove it but my Webcam system is hogging the video board. Maybe later tonight?
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