Well, guys, I tried a 12 volt bulb in my oil derrick, and it started bubbling within 5-10 minutes. I also tapped the tube gently with a screwdriver today and that also seemed to help. Since I've got the unit hooked up separately to the variable voltage lugs of a 1033 transformer, what I'm doing is firing it up at a full 16 volts--but once the bubbling starts, I turn it down to 12 volts. The bubbles keep coming, but hopefully this will preserve the life of the bulb a bit more. Thanks for your advice.
John
Mike S. hit the answer right on the head:
"If you lightly rap the tube with a small screwdriver after it's been heating, it will usually start right up. An old trick taught to me by an old-time operator."
I don't know Mike's friend, but I figured out the same solution years ago and have never broke a tube either. I have a number of bubbling tubes and for some reason, they just don't bubble up as quickly on their own as they get older, regardless of the heat generated by the bulb. I know this because I have already experiemented with this very idea.
Tapping the tube light towards the base of the tube will solve all your problems. No need to order a replacement tube. I use a metal handled dental hook that also comes in handy for uncoupling cars manually - especially the late original Lionel Corp. plastic trucks with the brass armature that have no thumb activator... the dental hook works like a charm..
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Thanks for the tips, folks. I think I'll try a bulb replacement first and see what happens. If that doesn't work, I'll look into replacing the tube. Didn't know that was possible.
Bob Nelson
I had some problems with mine. I tried a newer 14 volt and it started bubbling in under 5 minutes. Takes a little longer now cause I guess the bulb is getting older. If you lightly rap the tube with a small screwdriver after it's been heating, it will usually start right up. An old trick taught to me by an old-time operator.
Mike S.
Whether it would produce more heat depends on the particular 12- and 14-volt lamps. If you know the rated current of your 14-volt lamp, you can calculate how much heat it is putting out at 16 volts. It is the rated current at 14 volts multiplied by 17.22, in watts. Its life is reduced to 20 percent of normal. For the proposed 12-volt lamp, the heat in watts is the rated current at 12 volts multiplied by 18.74 and the life is 3 percent.
My 455 Oil Derrick was working OK until about a week ago (although it did take 10 - 15 minutes before the "oil" in the glass tube would start bubbling). For the last few days, however, I cannot get that fluid to bubble, even if I leave the unit on for 45 minutes. I have it hooked up to a separate 1033 transformer with a full 16 volts going to the derrick. The bulb inside the unit is a 14 volt L363, which I believe is what's called for in this accessory. The Service Manual says to make sure the bulb is as close to the tube as possible, but the bulb is in a fixed holder that does not seem adjustable. I'm wondering if these bulbs begin to wear out after a while and stop putting out enough heat. Also wondering if it would help if I replaced the bulb with a 12-volt--would that produce more heat? Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month