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Thread: Vintage Light voltage question

  1. #1
    Mr. Vintage wrkey's Avatar
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    Default Vintage Light voltage question

    What is the original voltage that were used on vintage machines? 9v or 10v? I'm thinking it was 10v but with all the different ones I have, I'm confused. Someone help a poor soul out.

    Question 2: If I have 10v bulbs and run 9v power supply, will this be sufficient to make them light? If I have 10v bulbs and 12v power supply, will that burn them out quickly?

    Reasoning; I have found a source for 10v bulbs that fit the original sockets in the vintage machines. Before I purchase 50 of these for about a $1 a piece, I'm trying to determine my best power supply.

    I've considered higher voltage bulbs that are more common but the amperage requirements are higher.

    Thoughts, comments, facts?

    Thanks,

    Rusty
    Rusty Key

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    With regard to your second question, I have played around with the different voltages on vintage machines and found the following:

    • Using a 14v bulb and a 9v power source, the lights worked, but were dim.
    • Using a 7.5v bulb and a 9v power source, the bulbs are bright and have yet to burn out with normal play/use after 6-8 months.
    I found 7.5 volt bulbs at Radio Shack (three for $1.89) and I use a 9v battery as the power source. I also have yet to change a battery.

    Jeff
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    Mr. Vintage wrkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    Ah Jeff, we may have something here. If I use a 9v power supply, then the bulbs that come with the vintages (vintage bulbs) which I believe are 10v would still work. Yet I can replace the ones that burn out with 7.5v ones. hmmmmmm

    If I build my operator board as I've designed in another post to use a 9v and 7.5v bulbs, then I could slowly convert all my machines over to 7.5v bulbs with out having to replace them enmass, which is what I'm trying to avoid.

    I would have already switch to 7.5v bulbs, but I couldn't find a 7.5v 'wall wart' only 9v. Hmmm... I may need to experiment with this recommendation.
    Rusty Key

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    they do sell a switchable voltage one with different voltage and you can aslo change plus or minus settings.
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Mr. Vintage wrkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    Yeah LD, I looked at those to but they didn't seem to have the amperage that I needed at a reasonable cost.

    Does anyone have a need for 10v bulbs? The only supplier I found was in England and the poor chap there didn't even realize they had them until I pointed them out on his website.
    Rusty Key

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    Quote Originally Posted by wrkey View Post
    I would have already switch to 7.5v bulbs, but I couldn't find a 7.5v 'wall wart' only 9v.
    Radio Shack has them in the metal drawers near the back of the store. I buy them in 3-paks for around $2. They don't always have a lot of them in stock so you may need to place a special order (or do like I do and hit 3-4 Radio Shack stores around town). They fit into the machines nicely and I think they are the bulbs you refer to as "wall warts".

    Jeff
    Last edited by JACKSJE4; 03-26-2009 at 05:58 PM.
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

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    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    i have been runing the lower 7.5 voltage lighs with my 9 volt wall wart and with the extra spliter wire off the transformers with my machines its 12 volt

    there nice and brite and if thay burn out then i just replace them its not that much money and i like the bright lights
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
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    Blind Shooter Tarnish's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    Has anyone else considered using a 12V DC model train transformer ? I'd considered this as a concept to light multiple machines from one wall socket, the power is adjustable from the throttle mechanism.

    Please note, though, this is only speculation. I haven't done any field testing to assess viability.
    "Hell, I've got the greatest job in the world. If I can't shoot it, drive it or fly it ..." *shrug* "I can blow it up." - R. Lee Ermey referring to Mail Call on the History Channel.

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    Fever Hunter johnnynormal510's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vintage Light voltage question

    This is the second time that I have heard someone mention using the model train transformer.

    The transformer that I had on my old train set ran hot...
    If you left it plugged in when not in use, it was extremely hot...

    Why would someone want to use one of these at all? Please enLIGHTen me. (Pun intended)

    Thanks.

    P.s. all transformers draw current when plugged in, even when not in use.


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