'Saving' vintage failed bulbs

[Lowglow]

It's always sad to me when a vintage light fitted with an unusual unique bulb arrives blown - or blows in use.

It's easy to replace with another type but I've been having some success rebuilding some bulbs.

I just thought I'd mention as it can really make a difference to the beam and look of a light when off to have the original bulb working. Like a Rulag that went out last week. These bulbs have a really large glass bead fitted which gives a perfect circle beam.

I have result the bulb using a Yuji 3200K 95 CRI 5mm LED fitted inside the glass envelope (dissected with a diamond Dremel wheel) and positioned inside to match the original filament position and then UV epoxy together. You can then attach fine wires to the LED and solder to the bulb case and bond into place or add a 1/8 Watt resistor to run batteries over 3V.

Each bulb is slightly different so hard to write a guide but I mention as you may like to resuscitate a blown vintage bulb in an almost invisible way.

Here's a few pics.

LED bonded into envelope

With cleaned out case

Fitted back (added 150 Ohm resistor to allow running on 5 to 8 Volts)

Looking inside you can't really see the change.

Beam of a working one and my rebuilt one. The beams are similar.

I just thought I'd mention as once a bulb has blown its often perceived as junk but if you have an unusual one you can get it going again (within the limits of a single LED).

It's fiddly and detailed work but rewarding.

 

[electromage]

Nice work! Not what I assumed from the title.

I always sort of hated those pre-focused bulbs because the filament was never centered, but it looks like you were able to fix that.

 

[Lowglow]

Thanks. Yes I agree about lensed bulbs but the LED is actually quite forgiving plus as you say, spend a little time to center it for exact focus.

 

[Monocrom]

Nice work! Not what I assumed from the title.

I always sort of hated those pre-focused bulbs because the filament was never centered, but it looks like you were able to fix that.

Me neither. But fascinating to hear.

 

[bykfixer]

Dratz, how did I miss this?
More awesomeness from the Lowglow!
Pretty neat idea.

 

[Lowglow]

Dratz, how did I miss this?
More awesomeness from the Lowglow!
Pretty neat idea.

Cheers! I wish I'd thought of it sooner. One positive though us now the little Rulag now equipped has pretty much been my 'go to' light for tasks and even night walks. Bit of a difference from being non-functional and probably never used again.