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Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:45 am
by Davie7
Hi, I have an old (15 years old) set of Commercial External Festoon Lights (43 bayonet cooker hood bulbs) without a transformer. Can anyone point me in the direction of where to get a wireable transformer for them? I'm not even sure they work, but I'm loathed to just throw them out without trying them.
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:53 am
by big-all
how many volts are the bulbs??
all the one chain ??
43 in series at mains would be 5.5v
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:07 am
by Davie7
Thanks for the post Big-all. They are all in one chain. The bulbs in there at present are 15w. The plastic coloured covers give a 25w max rating
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:20 am
by big-all
its the voltage you need
if they are say 3v then may be 110v [3x43= 129v] so would run cool on 2.6v
what does the cable look like at the wire end ??
does it have any markings on it along its length ??
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:30 am
by Someone-Else
You need to look at a lamp and see what voltage it is, then pick a few more at random to make sure they are the same voltage.
Without knowing the voltage we can't help you. (My guess is they are 240v)
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:42 am
by Davie7
Ok so all the bulbs say Sylvania 15w 250v on the side. Ive attached an image of one plus an image of the wiring at the end of the lead
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:48 am
by Someone-Else
In that case you just need to plug, and plug them in. (They are 240v which is the UK mains, so no transformer required.) Do change the plug fuse to a 5 Amp one.
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:54 am
by Someone-Else
Oh, do give them support (I have some and I put a cable tie around the cable and another cable tie through that to form a loop and hook this loop over a nail/screw). They do look good at night.
Also they are NOT cooker hood lamps, they look like it, but they are just ordinairy "Pygmy lamps" (Which are cheaper)
Post a picture when they are up and lit.
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 12:10 pm
by Davie7
I'll go get a plug and use a 5a fuse. I'll let you know how I get on
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:42 pm
by Someone-Else
Please do. It's too early now so you can't see mine, but I will post a pic later.
Festoon lights
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 9:25 pm
by Someone-Else
Now it is later, so................
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