Gallery of Lights

Lamps => Modern => Topic started by: LampLover84 on July 29, 2012, 06:50:19 AM

Title: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: LampLover84 on July 29, 2012, 06:50:19 AM
I recently found three Sylvania/GTE (Well two made it home :() F13DTT/27K and I was wondering if anyone know how to decode the date codes on these lamps

Here is a link to the picture in the Gallery (http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?album=506&pos=0)

I found these lamps with the three Enertron (http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?album=506&pos=1) two-piece CFLS I also found

Thanks
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: Jace the Gull on July 30, 2012, 08:12:23 PM
The lamp is from December 1991! NICE FINDS! Any chance you found them in Maryland? I know a place that got a BUNCH of Sylvania PLs with those exact same adapters!
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: LampLover84 on July 30, 2012, 09:25:54 PM
Thanks Jace but I am Sorry I found the lamps in Trumbull, Connecticut
I also remember in the late 1980's to early 1990's in Connecticut UI (The United Illuminating Company) a power company in Connecticut gave these to people to help save energy.
Do you think the lamps are original to the adapter?

Thanks again
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: Mike on July 30, 2012, 09:53:25 PM
They could be. I found two of these same adapters in my great-aunt's house and it had identical lamps to your as well.
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: Jace the Gull on July 31, 2012, 09:07:04 AM
I think there's your answer ;-)   I have same adaptor too but it dates to 1992 so it is an HIGH chance it's original!
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: LampLover84 on August 02, 2012, 09:48:25 AM
Cool that means if the adapter is still on the original lamp (10,000 Hours for the lamp and 45,000+ Hours for the ballast Says Enertron) I have found a basically "New" Two Piece CFL adapter
The lamp it came with has virtually no hours on it as it is still bright with no end blackening

The adapter has the same date code as the lamp 12/91 So December of 1991 so that even narrows down the probability that it is in fact the original lamp

Thanks all for helping me with the date codes of my "New" find
I have always wondered why manfactureres could not date products with an easier to decode date code (Something like 12/91 which is what the adapter says or 120191 = December 1st 1991)
Oh well one can always wonder why they do what they do ;D)
Title: Re: Need help with Sylvania/GTE date codes
Post by: Jace the Gull on August 16, 2012, 12:32:19 PM
Because some people may treat it like an expiration date.....someone told me Europeans actually does, and have thrown them away because they thought they were expraiton date! I have had people in the USA think lamps have shelf life....