Bulb for light up sign

[Bob K]

Hi all,
I just received a light up sign for my Cavalier CS-55E.  I don't have the machine yet but it is a non-light up version which I hope to convert if I'm still alive when it gets here  '> .

I'll be pestering you guys as to how to do that - but that's another story...

It takes a GE F7T5-CW flourescent tube.  Before I burn any $2.25/gallon gasoline searching Home Depot, can somebody tell me if these are readily available?

Thanks,
Bob :'>

[johnieG]

You might want to double check that lamp no. I've gone through several catalogs of GE flourecent lamps/part no. & can't cross referance it any where, measure the nominal length of the lamp ( end to end including the sockets)

typical sizes are;

F4T5/CW= 6" Nom. Length
F6T5/CW= 9"    "       "
F8T5/CW= 12"   "       "
F13T8/CW=12"  "       "
F14T8/CW=15"  "       "

[loman4ec]

I bought one last week at walmart.

[Bob K]

loman4ec, was it the F7T5 that you bought at Walmart?

johnieG, I quickly measured it pin to pin last night and it was around 10".  That would fall right in between two of your references.  Geez, wouldn't that be a twist if after spending the dough to buy the lightup marquee - I couldn't find a bulb! '>

Thanks, Bob

[MoonDawg]

Could the sockets be re-mounted to fit a standard bulb?

[johnieG]

The sockets are usally mounted into die-cut slots ( not surface mounted) in the metal of the housing, & if they were say, moved outward, it would interfere with the fit of the sign back into the machines opening,

Measure the bulb's length end to end ( terminal pins to terminal pins ) , I suspect that the socket's are a bit on the thicker side than is normal. I'm thinking it's closer to a F6T5 (9") in size. if it really is a "F7T5/CW" than it's an odd-ball size for sure. I've been through several manufactures websites & can find no cross referances to that size at all, an almost every T5 size bulb is an even "F" no.  F4, F6, F8. etc.  with "F 13" being the acception in the smaller lengths ( less than, or equal to 12" in length) we'll figure it out yet, hopefully someone who owns a CS-55 will have the correct info.

[loman4ec]

Bob, I sold my machine a few days ago so I do not know. The machine was a Cavalier USS 64. I suggest you take the light unit to a hardware store or light store and try the bulb fit before you buy. If they dont have it i'd bet a specialty light store can get it for you.

[Bob K]

Well the bulb measures exactly 10 3/4 inches from pin end to pin end.  
It is a F7T5-CW.  It's on the bulb and on the paper instructions on the unit.

C'mon all you C55 owners out there!!  Help me out! '>

[Bob K]

This is strange.  There's Cav 55 on ebay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....IT&rd=1

I asked the seller if he would tell me the bulb number on his and it's F8T5.  Yet my sign takes an F7T5 and I received assurance that mine was taken out of a 55.  Remember I have not received my machine yet.

I wonder if Cavalier changed the size of the signs over the years.  Or maybe a different size on the two selection model??

Sorry this is probably getting boring.  I'll shut up now and wait for my machine to get here.

I would really appreciate other 55 owners chiming in here '>

Thanks, Bob