Bulb Voltage?

[lionelsoni]

Here are fuller specifications for these lamps, as well as the similar 1447:

 430  G-4.5  14 V  250 mA  2.7 MSCP  250 hours  C-2R filament
 432  G-4.5  18 V  250 mA  3.5 MSCP  250 hours  C-2V filament
1447  G-3.5  18 V  150 mA  1.5 MSCP  250 hours  C-2V filament
1455  G-5    18 V  250 mA            250 hours  C-2V filament

I couldn't find the MSCP number for the 1455; but my guess is that it is 3.5, the same as the 432, which, except for the slightly smaller bulb, is otherwise identical.

[cwburfle]

252 abd 254 locomotives have exposed lightbulbs as headlights. Lionel used large globe bulbs.
The three styles generally used were 430 (12 volt) , 432 (18 volt), or 1455 (18 volt)

The 430 and 432 bulbs have G-41/2 globes

The 1455 bulb is  a G5 bulb. Madison Hardware (NYC) had thousands upon thoushands of them. They were rumored to have come from Lionel.
Madison painted them red and green, and put dimples in them to sell as beacon bulbs (worked poorly).
They often show up on Ebay, incorrectly listed as 432's.

[lionelsoni]

Incandescent lamps are simple; but their specifications are not.  You can't count on extending lamp life, reducing power consumption, or anything else just by going to a lamp with a higher voltage rating.  Here's the way it works:

Most of the lamps we use are screw-base or bayonet-base miniature lamps.  Most of them have G-3 1/2 or G-4 1/2 bulbs.  The "G" means "globe" (sphere); the number is the diameter in eighths of an inch, that is, 7/16 or 9/16 inch.

Each lamp type is otherwise specified by voltage, current, "MSCP" (mean spherical candlepower--how much light put out), and average lifetime.  Some, like the 1445, are specified at two different voltages.  If you propose to operate a lamp at a voltage other than that specified, you can estimate how that will affect the other specifications.  Divide the proposed voltage by the specified voltage.  Let's call that "k".  The current at the new voltage will be the specified current multiplied by k^.55 (k raised to the .55 power).  The MSCP will be the specified MSCP multiplied by k^3.5.  And the lifetime will be the specified lifetime divided by k^12.

Notice that the results of comparing at the same voltage two lamps specified at different voltages are valid at all voltages.  Whichever draws less current at the comparison voltage will draw less at any other voltage.  Whichever puts out more light will always put out more light.  And whichever lasts longer will always last longer.  All of these charactistics will be related in the same ratios as you vary the voltage to both lamps.

When you take all this into consideration, you may find that a particular "low voltage" lamp runs cooler than the "high voltage" lamp you're comparing it to, and might last longer too.

[arkady]

Prewar locomotives often run at higher voltages than their postwar equivalents.  I use an 18v bulb in my 252.

As for other locomotives, you should never use a bulb of lower voltage than the maximum voltage at which you'll be running the locomotive.  I can't speak for every locomotive Lionel ever made in the postwar period, but all mine, both pre- and post-war, have 18v bulbs.  You'll be running through bulbs like popcorn if you try using 12v bulbs.

 

[j.mel]

 Can anyone tell me what is the correct voltage bulbs to use on the head lights of most trains,(especially Lionel #252's and #254'S)?

 Since the voltage supplied by the transformer is variable voltage, do I use a lower voltage bulb or higher voltage bulb? Am I better off with a 12V bulb or a 18V bulb. How about for the interior lights of the Lionel #610 Pullman Cars and the Lionel #612 Observation Car?

If the train set is run generaly at slower speeds, should you use a lower voltage bulbs?

I know the voltage of the bulbs is usually stamped on the bulb base, but that doesn't mean it is the correct bulb for the engine or cars and sometimes this number can be something to see.

Thanks,

John