What size bulb?

[collecture]

Hey all,
In my remodel, I decided to put my DP bottle cap clock up in the garage so I have a visible clock and kind of a nightlight out there.
Both bulbs died and there are no visible markings on either of the ones I took out. The ones that were in there were the size of an appliance bulb (like the oven, frig). The appliance bulbs are 40W, which seems a little high to me. Do they come in a lower wattage?
I have seen bottle cap clocks melted/warped from too large a bulb put in and I don't want to do this.
Anybody know what watt bulb was used in these?

[Kilroy]

The label on the back of my Telechronics Pepsi clock warns using 15  watt bulbs only.
you are correct, higher wattage buylbs will start melting the paint, at the least  you will see cracks.

I am sure Lowe's or any mega  houseware/hardware storer will carry lower wattage bulbs. Clock Repro  dealers also carry the bulbs, but I imagine they will be costlier.

[memorylane]

In my Clock, I switched to the new style  low watt bulb, it gives you 40W but only burns at 3W and they don't get hot at all. They now make them to look like a Reg. light bulb. Jeff Wolf, has changed every machine, gas pump, clock, over to them. + the old bulbs, would burn out in 6 months. My clock and Barber Pole have been lit, non stop for over a year. The new bulbs, last 7 years, non stop use. Best of all, your only burning 3W and they don't get hot. Hope this helps. Curtis, Memory Lane Restorations.

[memorylane]

Just a few pics.

[aspbear]

Can you get those bulbs anywhere.  That sounds great,  I have some Pam clocks but never wanted to light them because of the burn, I had switched to the 7.5 watt but would like the increases brightness with no heat...

[bubba]

Curtis.. any more info on these bulbs? I currently have low wattage bulbs in my Pam clock, but would love to have it brighter. What size bulbs are they? Where to buy?

[Jim]

Inquiring minds want to know...
I too have been utilizing the 7.5 watt bulbs with the standard base.
Are these florescent bulbs...?

[memorylane]

I got mine at Lowes, I'll look on Monday, when I'm out there and get the exact info for everyone. All of the new style bulbs are florescent, thats why there is no heat like the standard bulbs. There great and don't burn out all the time. I'll take a picture of the bulb and package and post it on Monday.

[memorylane]

Ok everyone, my Bad, I got mine at IKEA but I'm sure they will have them at Lowes. I took mine out of the back of my Clock, now it has been on for a year and I un-screwed it and held, not hot. Now thats great for the paint on the clocks. Here are a few photos.

[memorylane]

Keep in mind, these have a seven year burn time! 7 Years!

[johnieG]

Very nice find & the perfect size for clocks & lightup menu signs, etc too!

[aspbear]

Thanks, learn something every day up here.  I am going to see if I can find some of these..

[collecture]

Thanks for all the input!
I did not see what Curtis had pictured, but I got something similar.
I got it at Home Depot:

It is a mini spiral lamp fluorescent bulb.
BRAND: N:VISION
OUTPUT: 450 LUMENS
ENERGY WATTS USED: 9 WATTS
LIFE HOURS: 10,000 HOURS

It provides a nice 40W bright light, but only uses 9 watts and therefore less generated heat. Packaging boasts that it last nine years - really lights up the clock!

Thanks again for all the responses!!!

[Pat Pixley]

 I replaced all my bulbs in my home with the new florescent bulb's and it has mad a differences in my electric bill of $8.00 a month add that up and thats a $96.00 dollar savings
for the year  .

  set that aside for a soda machine  .

[collecture]

I replaced all my bulbs in my home with the new florescent bulb's and it has mad a differences in my electric bill of $8.00 a month add that up and thats a $96.00 dollar savings
for the year  .

set that aside for a soda machine  .

I am slowly switching to them as well - as the old conventional ones burn out.

[BrianB]

One of my co-workers, an electrical engineer, changed ALL of his bulbs in his house from incandescent lights to Compact Flourescent Lights (CFL's) about three years ago. I asked him how things were going with that and he has ended up switching back to incandescent!!

He basically did a time study on them and came to the educated conclusion that cost outweighed performance when it came to CFL's. He found that they burnt out much quicker than rated and cost approx. 6-7 time as much as a standard bulb. The cost savings on his electrical bill was ok but did not make up for the early replacement cost.

As far as clocks go, I'll switch mine over to the one Curtis showed or a small CFL. Better safe than sorry!

[bubba]

One of my co-workers, an electrical engineer, changed ALL of his bulbs in his house from incandescent lights to Compact Flourescent Lights (CFL's) about three years ago. I asked him how things were going with that and he has ended up switching back to incandescent!!

He basically did a time study on them and came to the educated conclusion that cost outweighed performance when it came to CFL's. He found that they burnt out much quicker than rated and cost approx. 6-7 time as much as a standard bulb. The cost savings on his electrical bill was ok but did not make up for the early replacement cost.

As far as clocks go, I'll switch mine over to the one Curtis showed or a small CFL. Better safe than sorry!

I was wondering what the payback time was on that.. Thanks for the info. We have gotten into the habit of turning the lights and tv's off when not in the room. My wife is doing ok with it, but the kids have a little way to go still.

[pyro3256]

soap box for a min. as my master taught me " bulbs are for the gardner lamps light the way".
hay what ever works for you. never underestimate the electrical supply house most are tied to lighting centers as well as fixturers are the number one upgrade for builders. so different lamps (bulbs) are common place to them no matter the wattage or style or voltage.  on a side note.  bottom line you gotta find what works. i collect lone star beer things. got a large sign than has a revolving center. and it would not turn, motor burned up. looked every where ask around. even went to the lone star plant in san antone and ask. no one knew about the motor in the sign. fill'n in at another station and see a burned up bbq. and wires exposed. ask what happened. " grease fire!, while on a call"  ask what are the wires told me the auto rotisery. two calls later and i had a slow moving 120 v slim line motor that with a drill bit and super glue worked in my sign. moral what ever works!