ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Neon Light bulb question

Hello,

I have some table lamps that have two or three small lamps in the base. I like to use the small neon flicker bulbs in the lamps. The problem I have is that after they are on for a little while, one or more of them will go out. I can try them again later and they seem to work again. I have replaced them with different ones and the same thing happens. I can use night light bulbs, bubble light bulbs, anything else and it works fine. Two of the lamps are new and the other is an old one. I checked the cords and they are fine. Could it be that they require a grounded socket or something like that? I would like to use them but it always looks like I have burned out lights in them.

Static

Could it be that the "flicker" is the result of a "bi-metal" element in the bulbs, to open & close the circuit to create the flicker????
If so, then maybe the fact that the bulbs are in the lamp base (enclosed) the element cannot cool down sufficiently to function correctly.
Just a thought....
John

My 2¢... with age, neon lamps' extinction voltage increases, making them intermittent. Try swapping out the lamps.

Are they genuinely neon lamps, or just filament types designed to only glow at red heat?

They are the standard neon bent tip bulbs, 2 plates next to each other but not touching. When lit, the neon seems to twist around the plates. I unserstand that neon like this requires 90v to light. I have 110-119 all the time. I have replaced then, but they only seem to last a week or so.

Scott

Hmm, strange.....

Yes, 90V would be about typical for a neon lamp to strike.

The only other thing I can think of offhand is some sort of capacitive effect because three of these bulbs are operating close together.

Last night I was messing with the one that has 3 bulbs, one works, the other 2 will work if I move the white plastic part that makes up the base of the candle to around the bulb and hold it there or move it around. I even took one of the bulbs and tried it in a night light and it would not work. putting my hand around it had no effect. I also tried a ground wire to the base of the lamp. I am still puzzled.

Scott