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Ancient Edison Lamp Lit!
This is after the glow stopped blinking, though it constantly flickers. It's a  220V lamp so maybe that's why. I don't plan to light it more than maybe once a year at most from no on though to preserve this beauty of a lamp. Anyone know how these work? It seems like the air AROUND the coiled wire is glowing, not the coil itself. And the lamp blinks and blinks for about 30 seconds before stabilizing. Why? There's also a little metal ball that rolls around in the lamp and fits in the little nipple. Is that mercury?
Keywords: Lamps

Ancient Edison Lamp Lit!

This is after the glow stopped blinking, though it constantly flickers. It's a 220V lamp so maybe that's why. I don't plan to light it more than maybe once a year at most from no on though to preserve this beauty of a lamp. Anyone know how these work? It seems like the air AROUND the coiled wire is glowing, not the coil itself. And the lamp blinks and blinks for about 30 seconds before stabilizing. Why? There's also a little metal ball that rolls around in the lamp and fits in the little nipple. Is that mercury?

gol21713_001.JPG golgol3913_008.JPG golgol3913_001.JPG gol4113_083.jpg gol4113_078.jpg
File information
Filename:golgol3913_001.JPG
Album name:Mike / My Lamps
Keywords:Lamps
Filesize:291 KiB
Date added:Mar 09, 2013
Dimensions:2048 x 1536 pixels
Displayed:62 times
Color Space:sRGB
DateTime Original:2009:03:26 21:32:26
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Exposure Mode:0
Exposure Time:1/29296 sec
FNumber:f/2.8
Flash:No Flash
Focal length:28.8125 mm
Light Source:Unknown: 0
Make:Vivicam
Model:V5024
URL:http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=15181
Favorites:Add to Favorites

Comment 1 to 6 of 6
Page: 1

A_lights   [Mar 09, 2013 at 05:23 PM]
Wow neat! That's a neon lamp Smile
GEsoftwhite100watts   [Mar 09, 2013 at 05:29 PM]
To add to Aaron's comment, this is one of those negative-glow neon discharge lamps. Argon versions also exist (purple glow like florescent starters) and some have two half-circle-shaped "plate" looking thingies the discharge goes between.
If these are run for extended periods (like a nightlight) they will sputter/blacken quickly.
From the thumbnail I thought this was in a yardblaster or something!
I don't know if this would have mercury or not...and I wouldn't run it much...especially underdriven on 120v like that since I imagine that would make it sputter.
Another reason it could be flickering is because it's sorta near EOL/also underdriven...so then it would look like an old neon indicator on a power strip that flickers constantly...
streetlight98   [Mar 09, 2013 at 06:36 PM]
oh wow it's neon eh? Do they still make these? How old do you think this is? Neutral
GEsoftwhite100watts   [Mar 10, 2013 at 04:03 AM]
I don't think so...I am unsure on the age...but OLD!
migette1   [May 17, 2013 at 07:52 AM]
Very old as its piptop 1920s very rare. DO NOT RUN IT ON 230V this will blow it keep to 120v this made for the US market in Germany
streetlight98   [May 17, 2013 at 10:06 PM]
hmm so these are supposed to be used with 120V? this thing is SOOO dim lol.

Comment 1 to 6 of 6
Page: 1