Older bulb socket failure points

Phetishboy

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Cleaned my Lost World Playfield last night, and it could use a waxing. I have never waxed it before. I assume I need Novus 1 and then what for wax? I also replaced a few burnt bulbs, and some seemed to have bad sockets. What's the usual culprit for a bad socket? Cold solder, weak spring, dirty contact? I have like 5-10 of them that have good bulbs, but they seem dim or touchy, as in blink out and back on once in a while. Thanks for the help.
 
I don't use Novus #1, just #2 but there's nothing wrong with using it and I know some collectors who I respect who post here use it. I use Mother's "California Gold" paste wax (the hard stuff in the round can) but any good "pure carnuba" wax will work.

As for the sockets... the most likely cause is that the main housing has come loose from the base piece. They were pressed together originally and there is current flowing through this connection. If the socket spins easily this is a problem. You could also have a dirty contact in the bottom of the socket, dirty socket, flaky connection, etc... but I would suspect the first thing I mentioned. Especially if they're intermittent.

I cover "fixing" lamp sockets a little bit here:

http://warpzonearcade.com/?p=181

Alternatively, I'm sure there is some good info on pinrepair.com as well.
 
As for the sockets... the most likely cause is that the main housing has come loose from the base piece. If the socket spins easily this is a problem. You could also have a dirty contact in the bottom of the socket, dirty socket, flaky connection, etc... but I would suspect the first thing I mentioned. Especially if they're intermittent.


You are right on. The ones with this problem do in fact spin like tops. Some spin so much that I can barely twist the bulb out, because the housing spins so freely that I have no leverage. Thanks man.
 
Oooooooh, an easy fix. Me like.
I used to replace light sockets till it started getting too expensive. Now I mostly use the solder method and it works great. you do have to be carefull not to solder + & - together.
Glennon
 
I might add to not mess with switched lamp sockets to much with the power on, it is real easy to take out the lamp driver and create a lot more work.
 
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