Greetings,

I am still working on the restoration of the RCA Victor Model 52.

The dial lamp is an odd one. I don't actually have the lamp but here is what I do know.

It is a screw type base about 1/2 inch diameter, runs on the 120V line,
and would be somewhat short to fit in the lamp case.

I was wondering if anyone knows what this might be and
where to find one. I've looked atvarious sites and don't com up with much.

Many Thanks,

Wayne

Hi,
Have you perused the Sylvania website?

http://ecom.sylvania.com/osicatalog/

Failing this, you might have no choice but to resort to a neon bulb with built in resistor, but it is suggested that there may be resistance wire incorporated into that circuit. What voltage can you measure at the socket?

: Greetings,

: I am still working on the restoration of the RCA Victor Model 52.

: The dial lamp is an odd one. I don't actually have the lamp but here is what I do know.

: It is a screw type base about 1/2 inch diameter, runs on the 120V line,
: and would be somewhat short to fit in the lamp case.

: I was wondering if anyone knows what this might be and
: where to find one. I've looked atvarious sites and don't com up with much.

: Many Thanks,

: Wayne

Hi John,

Thanks for the tip on Omron/Sylvania. I had checked out an older catalog of theirs and have as you suggested been to the web site.

Another is bulbtronics.com.

A neon will not work in this situation as it is a

dial illumination lamp. It is hardwired to the switched

120VAC line and it appears to be a candelabra screw

base. The inside of the socket measures close to .5 inched diameter

which would be the minimum thread size, the actual threads on the lamp socket

in the bulb would protrude probably another 1/8 inch.

A lamp such as a 6s6 would be a minature SC base. I was thinking

that there must be a few of these old RCA Victors out there, I think the R-32, R52, RE45 and

RE-75 are the same.

Thanks,

Wayne

: Hi,

: Have you perused the Sylvania website?

: http://ecom.sylvania.com/osicatalog/

: Failing this, you might have no choice but to resort to a neon bulb with built in resistor, but it is suggested that there may be resistance wire incorporated into that circuit. What voltage can you measure at the socket?

: : Greetings,

: : I am still working on the restoration of the RCA Victor Model 52.

: : The dial lamp is an odd one. I don't actually have the lamp but here is what I do know.

: : It is a screw type base about 1/2 inch diameter, runs on the 120V line,

: : and would be somewhat short to fit in the lamp case.

: : I was wondering if anyone knows what this might be and

: : where to find one. I've looked atvarious sites and don't com up with much.

: : Many Thanks,

: : Wayne

Hello, Wayne,

You mentioned the 6S6. Does the 6S6 have the correct base?
If you don't know or don't have a 6S6 handy, you can check using a
standard 7.5-watt night light lamp (the old Noma Christmas
tree bulb). If it fits, though, I wouldn't use the night
light in there. Even if it would fit, it might get too
hot. The 3-watt 6S6 isn't a lot smaller physically. It's
bulb is about 1-1/8" long and 3/4" diameter, overall lamp
length about 1-3/4". If the 6S6 is the actual lamp you need,
let me know. I have scads of them around here.

Dean

Hi Dean,

It is not a 6s6. It is very much like a 6S6 except the
candelabra screw base is larger in diameter about 11/16 half of an inch in diameter
where a 6S6 is about 15/32.

It appears to be the same diameter as common automotive bulbs except is
is a screw base not a bayonet base and it is 120 volts.

Thanks,

Wayne

: Hello, Wayne,

: You mentioned the 6S6. Does the 6S6 have the correct base?
: If you don't know or don't have a 6S6 handy, you can check using a
: standard 7.5-watt night light lamp (the old Noma Christmas
: tree bulb). If it fits, though, I wouldn't use the night
: light in there. Even if it would fit, it might get too
: hot. The 3-watt 6S6 isn't a lot smaller physically. It's
: bulb is about 1-1/8" long and 3/4" diameter, overall lamp
: length about 1-3/4". If the 6S6 is the actual lamp you need,
: let me know. I have scads of them around here.

: Dean

Wayne,

Does that mean that it's the same base as those 15-watt exterior
Christmas light bulbs? Those HUGE ones -- and may be the same as
chandelier lamps? Did I spell that right?

Dean

Hi Dean...

Well YIKES! I think you have hit on it. I knew of these and it was in front of
me but never thought of it. Yes I do believe the base may be the same.

I'm about to aquire one of those Cristmas bulbs. However the bulbs
size itself is much smaller. I've checked out some of the microscope bulbs etc,
but can not find the proper one. I believe the base is designated as "intermediate
screw base." This is as between candelabra and houshold base.

I will check it out and let you know. I suspect at this point I'll have to play
a little Edison and match a bulb to a base. I.E build the lamp from
a couple.

Many Thanks for the ideas....

Wayne

: Wayne,

: Does that mean that it's the same base as those 15-watt exterior
: Christmas light bulbs? Those HUGE ones -- and may be the same as
: chandelier lamps? Did I spell that right?

: Dean

The Mystery of the pilot lamp has been solved.

The actual lamp that was required is a plain T-7
15 watt appliance lamp. These are commonly used in sewing machines.

It is 120 volts with an intermediate base. After
all the wondering about this, I found it in my local
hardware store for about 2 dollars.

Some things make one feel a bit foolish.

Cheers

:Wayne,
:
:Does that mean that it's the same base as those 15-watt exterior
:Christmas light bulbs? Those HUGE ones -- and may be the same as
:chandelier lamps? Did I spell that right?
:
:Dean
:
:I have a GE C-103 which uses a Noma christmas tree bulb and it works just fine