Help Identifying DC Light For G Scale

[AJtheTeacher]

Happy Monday G Scale Enthusiasts!

I need help identifying this DC light that works well in tight spots and puts out a little light that broadcasts all around. Thanks AJ the Teacher

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Did you notice the writing on the end caps? Get your magnifiers out and see if you can get a part number. One end will probably have the voltage and current or wattage, the other a part number.

Since I use DCC, these higher current lamps are something I don't use.

Greg

 

[AJtheTeacher]

Thanks Greg. I did as you suggested and there is absolutely no identification, voltage ID or part #/product ID on it. I was hoping that someone (I figured that someone would be you because you are very knowledgeable!) would have seen something like this before. Thanks AJ the Teacher

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I swear I see letters/numbers in the metal end caps, just like on fuses... did you pull it out from the clips and get a magnifier on the ends?

 

[Paul M]

I can't shed any light on the problem, but that looks a really useful sized light fitting. You'll have to excuse my ignorance though, how big is it? An American coin means nothing, sizewise, to me.

 

[ebay mike]

I can't shed any light on the problem, but that looks a really useful sized light fitting. You'll have to excuse my ignorance though, how big is it? An American coin means nothing, sizewise, to me.

Paul, according to Google:

US Quarter Dollar Diameter: 24.26 mm (0.955 in)

 

[PhilP]

Don't tell me...
You have a stash of quarters, in the garage!

 

[AJtheTeacher]

I swear I see letters/numbers in the metal end caps, just like on fuses... did you pull it out from the clips and get a magnifier on the ends?

Yes sir, I did. Thanks for asking. AJ the Teacher.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Hmm... just a trick in the photo.... do you know the voltage and amps?

I spent more time searching, miniature, subminiature, micro, tubular.... no joy... LEDs are your friend ha ha...

Greg

 

[AJtheTeacher]

Hmm... just a trick in the photo.... do you know the voltage and amps?

Greg

No sir. Would you believe that it was at the top of an Aristo-Craft vista dome that I purchased last week? And it shines just the perfect amount of light to give just the perfect nighttime glow (my opinion) as it runs on my layout. It was wired into the stock Aristo-Craft vista dome wiring so well that I was wondering if it was stock.......

I am running an Aristo-Craft Ultima 10 Amp ART 5460 controlled by an ART 5401-10 on this track. If that helps. Thanks! AJ the Teacher

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Yeah, I would get some warm white led strips and try those, they are usually 12v, so 2 of the strips in series would nominally work at 24v, so 12-18 would probably work out fine.

The low profile also means that they won't shine out the windows, a big plus.

Super Bright Pure/Warm White 5050 5630 3528 SMD 300 Led Light Strip Ribbon DC12V | eBay

Super-bright 5050, 3528, 5630 SMD LED, high intensity and reliability, energy saving and long life span 50,000+ hours. Easy installation, behind the strip, are free to paste. Color: warm white, cool/pure white.

www.ebay.com

All kinds of options and cheap.

Greg

 

[ntpntpntp]

The closest I can find on google that would be 18V - 24V (for track power) are small festoon bulbs but most are a different shape or dimensions to the one you show. I cannot find anything identical to the example you have.

Some of these on this page are similar looking but only 6V I think. They seem to be little more than a grain of wheat bulb inside a tube.

Auto Miniature Festoon Neon Bulb St6 6*36 Automotive Dome Light Bulb Auto License Plate Light Lamp - Buy Auto Miniature Festoon Neon Bulb St6,Auto Motive Dome Light Bulb,Auto License Plate Light Lamp Product on Alibaba.com

Or this kind of thing, a 24V 6mm x 36mm festoon

Bailey S63624001 - S6 Festoon 6X36 24V 50mA 1.2W

I agree with the other posts; change over to LEDs anyway as they're more efficient, run cool and you have loads of different sizes, styles and colours to experiment with.

 

[Paul M]

It's not from a car glove compartment or something else in the automotive world?

 

[AJtheTeacher]

It's not from a car glove compartment or something else in the automotive world?

Hi Paul. I am a car guy and I have spent more time in auto scrapyards than I have talking to..... my best friend. I think that is a GREAT suggestion, but I have never seen one like that in any car or truck; foreign or domestic. But I wonder if it might be an ashtray or glovebox light too. But it works SO well without anything to drop the voltage.

It makes you wonder.... Thanks AJ the Teacher

 

[AJtheTeacher]

Thanks Nick for your research into

Auto Miniature Festoon Neon Bulb St6 6*36 Automotive Dome Light Bulb Auto License Plate Light Lamp - Buy Auto Miniature Festoon Neon Bulb St6,Auto Motive Dome Light Bulb,Auto License Plate Light Lamp Product on Alibaba.com

It may be a miniature neon bulb. I am really intrigued. Thanks AJ the Teacher

 

[AJtheTeacher]

Thanks once again Greg for all your suggestions. As usual your understanding of electrics in modeling and trains is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks AJ the Teacher

 

[LVT]

It's not from a car glove compartment or something else in the automotive world?

All Electronics lists “fuse lamps” at 6, 8, and 12 volt ratings. They are not opaque, but look identical and work with the glass fuse (AGC) mounting clips. They contain a long filament that does disperse light nicely. Interestingly the light mounting holes on LGB coach roofs provide perfect alignment for attaching individual fuse sockets to be bridged by the bulbs. They were a good low profile light source 40 years ago, before the awesome options of led’s. Now they are a rare commodity. The only other place I saw them used was as a dial light source in a 70’s stereo.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

there you go, the key phrase was "fuse lamps" since they are the form close to a tubular fuse.

now I know... see these babies:

Home

Shop Fuse Type Lamps at Parts Express. Replacement fuse type lamps for vintage stereo receivers. Buy more & save on fuse style lamps in 6, 8 & 12 volt, in original style and LED.

www.parts-express.com

Greg

 

[PhilP]

Wow!
Even a LED equivalent available, awesome!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

makes a lot of sense, more light, less heat, less current, longer life, same size package.