Oldest Operational Lamp

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Oldest Operational Lamp #177764
05/11/08 06:37 PM 05/11/08 06:37 PM

Zapped

OP
Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 482
Huntington Beach, CA, USA

I think we linked to an article on this forum a few years ago about this low-wattage lamp. Now, it's 107 yrs and counting. they just don't make em like they used to...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lightbulb5-2008may05,0,3217216,full.story

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Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: Zapped] #177776
05/11/08 09:38 PM 05/11/08 09:38 PM

gfretwell

Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,335
Estero,Fl,usa

It looks like it is running at about 50% of the rated voltage. I bet if you put a 240v lamp in your luminaires at home they would last forever too.

Greg Fretwell

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: gfretwell] #177784
05/12/08 05:34 AM 05/12/08 05:34 AM

SteveFehr

Member

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,213
Chesapeake, VA

It's still incredibile, though.

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: gfretwell] #177815
05/12/08 09:50 PM 05/12/08 09:50 PM

HighPotter Offline

Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
So. Cal

Originally Posted by gfretwell

It looks like it is running at about 50% of the rated voltage. I bet if you put a 240v lamp in your luminaires at home they would last forever too.

Bet they wouldn't.

HP

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: HighPotter] #177822
05/13/08 07:50 AM 05/13/08 07:50 AM

Ann Brush

Member

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 152
Ohia

I bet if you took a 1000 long-life rough treatment 240V bulbs and put them in 110V surge suppressed and line conditioned sockets several of them would last 100 years.

They just happen to have noticed that that bulb has lasted that long, numerous bulbs - exactly similar and made by the same company have burned out long ago, we just don't keep track of them. We also don't run them on a line conditioner and surge suppressor. Does not surprise me in the least.

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: Ann Brush] #177826
05/13/08 08:44 AM 05/13/08 08:44 AM

gfretwell

Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,335
Estero,Fl,usa

I have some 20 year old "sign bulbs" that are still working. In fact I have never replaced one. That is what I have in all the lights over my screen cage.

Greg Fretwell

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: gfretwell] #177852
05/13/08 07:32 PM 05/13/08 07:32 PM

HighPotter Offline

Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
So. Cal

Originally Posted by gfretwell

It looks like it is running at about 50% of the rated voltage. I bet if you put a 240v lamp in your luminaires at home they would last forever too.

Does it say that in the article?

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: Ann Brush] #177853
05/13/08 07:34 PM 05/13/08 07:34 PM

HighPotter Offline

Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
So. Cal

Originally Posted by Ann Brush

Does it say that the bulb is installed on a surge and line conditoner?

It's a 4 watt bulb with a VERY thick filament.

HP

Re: Oldest Operational Lamp [Re: HighPotter] #177870
05/14/08 06:13 AM 05/14/08 06:13 AM

SteveFehr

Member

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,213
Chesapeake, VA

They also said "battery". So, not only is it surge and line conditioned, it's also on UPS. Not a cheap one, I hope...

I LOLled at the part about batting it for luck and tossing nerf balls at it until they realized how old it was.

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