bulb question

starbuck77

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Hey guys,

My Lost in Space had a few bulbs burned out on the playfield and the guy I bought it off of gave me a pack of 47's as spares. I put those in the burned out spots and the new ones are burned out as well. I put another batch of 47's in there (3 different spots) and they burned out again. He said that the only difference between the 44's and the 47's are that the 47's are brighter. After reading the manual it looks like 44's should be in the spots that I put the 47's. Do you think this is why they are burning out? Or could I have a different problem. The 47's work for a few days then are toast. Could I just have a bad batch of bulbs as well??

I have 44's on order but was told that it doesn't matter which ones you put in there. Is that correct info?

Doug
 
Actually, it's the other way around; 44's are brighter than 47's, as they pull slightly more voltage. 47's are recommended when possible as they generate less heat, and put less strain on the power supply.

If they're burning out that quickly, I'd suspect something else is going on.

Are these lamps in GI locations (general illumination - lights that stay on constantly), or feature lamps (IE areas that go on/off frequently, and are controlled by the game)?

If the bulb is in an area where there is high vibration, or it's getting knocked around, that can cause a short lifespan, but if they're repeatedly burning out that quickly, it doesn't sound right... Try and take note to see if you see any of them getting very bright immediately before they burn out, and verify what's going on in the game at the time - perhaps you've got an intermittent short somewhere. Verify what those bulbs all have in common - IE, if they are GI, are they all on the same GI string under the playfield?

Brent
 
Edit: ^^^^beat me to it^^^^

44s run hotter and are brighter. 47s are the recommended replacement. They are not quite as bright but still provide plenty of light and run cooler.

If the 47s are burning up then you got a voltage issue. Too much voltage going to those sockets causing bulbs to burn out.
 
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They are actually the bulbs that are on the top of the slingshot near the flippers, both on one side and one on the other, I took a closer look and it looks like there is one also burned out on each side of the flipper drain area (right flipper and left flipper). There are 2 bulbs per side but only one on each side is burned out.

If its a voltage issue I have no idea how to fix that...im such a noob
 
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Actually, it's the other way around; 44's are brighter than 47's, as they pull slightly more amperage. 47's are recommended when possible as they generate less heat, and put less strain on the power supply

fixed:D

To the OP...what's the brand of bulbs? There's some shitty ass bulbs out there. That garbage brand Ablaze comes to mind. Their LEDs might work fine, but their mini lamps are garbage. A new bulb will last maybe 5 games in a pop bumper.

Edward
 
Best thing to do is to check the voltage going to the bulb (using a DMM). It should be about 6.3 volts (or something close there about).
 
Actually, it's the other way around; 44's are brighter than 47's, as they pull slightly more voltage. 47's are recommended when possible as they generate less heat, and put less strain on the power supply.

If they're burning out that quickly, I'd suspect something else is going on.

Are these lamps in GI locations (general illumination - lights that stay on constantly), or feature lamps (IE areas that go on/off frequently, and are controlled by the game)?

If the bulb is in an area where there is high vibration, or it's getting knocked around, that can cause a short lifespan, but if they're repeatedly burning out that quickly, it doesn't sound right... Try and take note to see if you see any of them getting very bright immediately before they burn out, and verify what's going on in the game at the time - perhaps you've got an intermittent short somewhere. Verify what those bulbs all have in common - IE, if they are GI, are they all on the same GI string under the playfield?

Brent


I noticed one of the lights get VERY bright, not sure what I was doing when it happened but it is still really bright and has not burnt out yet. I took a picture and attached it. It is the lower left, top drain bulb, it looks to be 2 or 3 times brighter then the others in the entire picture.


Looks like something is def going on here that does not look normal.
 

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The brand of bulb that I am using as a replacement is CEC Industries LTD...

Read my sig....

No stab at you, but I would buy bulbs that ARE NOT made in China and they will last much longer.

Find GE bulbs and put them in those locations. They will last WAY longer then any piece of s*** made in China.
 
Your pic shows that something is up with the voltage which is causing those bulbs to burn out. As aeneas suggested, look for a short from the coil voltage to the GI string that is burning out. You've got something pumping in extra voltage and burning up the bulbs.
 
Your pic shows that something is up with the voltage which is causing those bulbs to burn out. As aeneas suggested, look for a short from the coil voltage to the GI string that is burning out. You've got something pumping in extra voltage and burning up the bulbs.

I have to agree. No bulb is going to last there very long.

EDIT: I'd also be curious to know what the voltage readings at those sockets are.

I have seen with my own eyes several CEC bulbs go in looking perfectly fine then within seconds get REALLY bright and burn out. I wonder if the glass isnt sealed well on some of those bulbs letting oxygen into the bulb?
 
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I'm not familiar with that game title...so.....do we know if these are part of the GI?....or are they part of a feature light strand that has locked on?.....or could they be a flasher strand that has locked on? Wouldn't be the first time I have found 555 stuck where a 906 goes:D.

Edward
 
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