I like that audible "ping" that the lamps make when the inductive kick takes place and they light up. I collect preheat fixtures myself...my entire apartment (save for one pre-existing rapid start fixture in my kitchen) is lit by preheat fixtures. The preheat system is the most reliable in fluorescent lights.
100th comment here: videos like these (including this one) have inspired me to start collecting any fluorescent light that isn't instant-start, My collection isn't really on UA-cam though.
I have early MAZDA fluorescent lamps from between 1938 when they were introduced (April 21 to be exact!) until about 1945 when GE dropped the MAZDA name, olus the ones later than that. Those Blackender Westinghouse lamps are actually made in the 1960's. So they have been replaced at least once before. Loose bases are common on old Westinghouse tubes--I use s clear electrical tape to resecure them, had good luck with this method. If the original Westinghouse lamps (if used to begin with) were there, they'd be the ones with block lettering spelling out "WESTINGHOUSE" and probably something like "40 watt Standard Cool White AC OR DC" on them. Since these fixtures were wired with SJTWA cord, it means they were NOT installed in the early 1950's, most likely, but gotten as salvaged units (likely with bulbs) and installed in the late 1980's or later. SJTWA is a pretty modern type of cord. In the early fifties it would probably be type SJO cord. Or SJ. Both are rubber, SJTWA is modern vinyl insulated cord. One possible thing---they might be original, but the original rubber cords got brittle and started shorting out, etc, and were replaced. Using EMT and THHN is fine, and meets code, if that SJTWA is at least 14/3, it would not really be a fire hazard, nor would #16 on a 15 amp breaker, but #18 is a little too light. #14 or #12 would easily handle the full current of the branch circuit. Not exactly "code", but certainly not dangerous either, in that case. The preheat 32 watt 1 lamp circliner is sweet! It has an older lamp, too--one with the old bakelite base and the "housekeeper" type metal-to-glass seals--which, by the way are prone to cracking and causing loss of lamp vacuum and fill gas if they are exposed to bitter cold temperatures--I lost a BUNCH of my beloved housekeeper seal circline fluorescents when I stored them in a shed that let them get cold in winter--they all cracked at the end near the base and were runied except for a few lamps. A majorly stupid mistake! In a heated house they usually don't crack. The reason is the steel seal disc is sealed directly into the glass tube, and steel has a different thermal expansion rate than the glass, and under extreme low temps (below 32 degrees F.) the steel contracts much more than the glass and cracks the glass. And you use a valuable vintage circline lamp. I also noticed the GE's are the most prone to this cracking, the Sylvainas considerably less, but not immune, and the Westinghouses least prone but not immune. I am planning on installing 2 NOS never installed circline units in our kitchen, rapid start, made in 1985, that were 2 lamp 32/40 watt units, and I used a hand sheet metal punch to punch out 3 "T" shaped holes in each unit to install identical lamp support clips to what these units used from the factory, to add a third lamp, a 22 watt, so now I have triple lamp 22/32/40 watt units. I have a separate ballast for the 22 watt lamp, and put the 32/40 ballast on a pull chain with a loop, that I made a "reacher" for to operate the chain without having it hanging down i your face all the time--just reach up, hook the loop, pull and unhook, and stuck on the side of the fridge with attached magnets. This allows me to turn off the big lamps and leave the small lamp on for giving enough light to move about the kitchen and easily be able to turn on the 2 larger lamps, of course along with the already lit 22 watt lamp for all 3 for working in the kitchen. The 22 watter alone is equal to a 75 watt incandescent bulb, and all 3 are about equal to 300 watts of incandescent! I can't wait to install these, and since I use a wheelchair, my "reacher" will be usable from my chair. I will have a good friend install them for me. Cheers! Rick "C-6" Delair!
They originally had sj frayed rubber cord running them till it shorted out. Didn’t have enough thhn to go around so used the sjtw i think it was just to get some light
I like that outer perimeter light set up. I saw it once before in a house years ago and have always wanted something like that. I tried making one like it on my front porch. Turned out ok. I miss the tink of the old lights starting up.
When replacing an EOL tube in a preheat fluorescent fixture, it is best to replace the starter to minimize the likelihood of a fire associated with the old starter getting stuck.
This is cool . I would spray paint the inside of the covers silver or put aluminum tape, Place them at 45 degree angle to reflect more light onto the ceiling.
Yep they don't make 'em like they use to. Maybe 5 or years ago had one of the under cabinet flourescent fixtures with the electronic ballast. After a year and half or two, I thought the bulb burned out (ends glowing orange) went to Walmart to purchase a new bulb (F15T8 if I remember correctly) same thing. Just so happened to have the same fixture across the kitchen using the same bulb type that was working, swapped bulbs , sure enough, the ballast junk. That fact that the old preheat ballast from 1955 still working after 60+ yrs is a testament to the quality of being made in the U.S.A, not China or Taiwan
These lights are used daily and some of the bulbs are decades old. I did go though and change the starters in them, but the bulbs especially since I use new very old stock, last and last....
I really like the lighting over the cupboards. I might try to do something like this in our kitchen. we already have the circle line, which I added myself a couple years back
Those two Philips lamps you showed at the beginning were manufactured in August 1995. Crazy to think that those were some of the last of their kind to be sold in the US. Full-wattage F40CWs were banned from sale in the US in October 1995. Believe it or not, most of the big threes’ fluorescent lamps were manufactured in the USA up until just these past few years. It’s kind of interesting that you replaced Westinghouse lamps with Philips lamps, since Westinghouse lamps are essentially the ancestors of modern US-market Philips lamps. Philips bought Westinghouse Lighting in 1984. Subsequently, Philips-branded lamps began to be sold in the US, manufactured in Westinghouse factories. Early lamps were made on the same machinery that Westinghouse used, and featured the same black end caps that they used. Philips did sell lamps in the US before 1984, but they were branded as Norelco.
This was a design the builder made in 1955 when he built the house, asside from the sj wire he used on the lights it was a novel idea.... I have them in the living room also
I just got some vintage Westy black enders from a fellow collector. I have the blackenders in F14, F15, F20 and F40T12 lamps. Ill try to make a video of them soon.
Thanks!, I got the same setup in the living room. They dont get used much there. I actually took one down to keep as a collectable. Still has the original ge starter and bulb in it.... These fixtures seem to use less than more modern ones and the bulbs last a long time.....
Yup, I had an old light I took from a washing machine when they had the light installed in the control pod.... I just electrical taped them in place so the filament leads wouldnt twist..... lasted for 20 years like that.
@Ridge97 They were installed in 1953 when the house was built and was the builders own design. The living room has the same setup in it. It is bright for sure. My aunts house actually had the eight foot lights in her kitchen lol
My old high school used to have 50s U-shaped fluorescent light fixtures with 4 bulb before I attended that school. The fixture themselves were round and looked like a plus-shape with all 4 bulbs.
@daewooparts Its tough to find preheat style ballast around here anymore. The ones in the living room and a couple in the kitchen are still the original bulbs as the living room isnt used as much. They are the OLD General Electric and Westinghouse bulbs. I do have some replacement ballasts, but these GE Original Ballasts are still healthy and not leaking anything.
the newer bulbs are way better for those ballast too ,if the ballast is going bad ,just find a good high quality replacement "NOS" made in usa ballast ,the newer chinese ballast or complete light fixtures are junk and only last a few years
@daewooparts the two bulbs I took out were the black capped Westinghouse bulbs. Im gonna keep the bulbs in there till they die, they are hard to get to readilly. I do like those daylight bulbs. As long as it is marked F40T12 they will work, the cool white deluxes were nice. I have those two bulbs that would make a nice pop, :D
I didnt save the old ones I took out.... but there are still a few in service. Most say canada on them, some were usa I believe. Used to have boxes of them they are from the 70's and the silver capped GE bulbs, which are in the preheat lights in my living room are the originals from the fixtures
Very cool. Very old. And most importantly, very good quality. LED has nothing on t12. They might with energy costs but they don’t with color and awesomeness.
Believe it or not, these fixtures use less energy than the rapid start t12 fixtures, and even some of the t8 fixtures of the same length. I have re-wired them as they were originally wired with un grounded extension cord
@DaAnalogDogg86 If im not mistaken they call those half-pipers. Atleast some people here on youtube call them that. I used to have those in my basement years ago. Bulbs rarely burn out and I changed all the starters last year.
Did you save the old westy bulbs ? Vintage fluorescent bulbs are now collectable , If I lived close by & you were tossing those bulbs I would like to get my hands on them for my collection. Nice Video.
I didnt think you could still find them..... The bulbs actually last longer in these lights than the newer ones in my house and they are used the same...
the circle fixtures are from the 50's,those bulbs are from the very late 70's -90's with that "philips" markings ,if they were older they would have the "westinghouse" markings on them ,that was the predasor to the "philips" ,they merged , should just upgrade the bulbs to to new "daylight" mercury free philips bulbs ,they are way more efficient and have a blueish light to them , those old bulbs contain mercury ,but that don't stop me from playing "STAR WARS" LIGHTSABRE SMACKDOWN WITH THEM :P
In former Yugoslavia similar fixtures is made 50,s and 60,s by manufacturer Elektrokovina Maribor ,in version 1 x 20 Watt- 60 cm,2 x 20 Watt, 1x 40 Watt and 2 x 40 Watt with elektromagnetic ballasts.
I dont like the spiral ones at all. They come in different color shades. The soft white ones have a warmer color than bright white or the daylight which is a bluish tinted bulb. I installed a couple led bulbs recently and am impressed with the light....
not only is it the most reliable, the bulbs last longer and they use less electricity than most newer ones.... ive found when I ran a amp draw on them...
@@More350Power absolutely. I have some old sylvania tubes from the 70s still running in an old fixture from the early 50s that is used every day. nothing modern even comes close to comparing to them.
@More350Power voooooommmm,"luke, i am your master" i remember the good old days of wearing taivak jumpsuits with thick clothing and welding gloves/ with respo mask and battling it out ,there was hundreds of these bulbs as well as the old school 6 ft monsters,the battles would last hours until the dust became unbearable
Do you have a video on it by chance, Im gonna have to check out your channel. This light be older than the fifties. It is used a lot, daily and rarely have to replace bulbs.
Omg i love the pings the starters make! So old school and nostalgic
They don’t make em like that anymore. I hate the less they are forcing us into instead of these lights
I like that audible "ping" that the lamps make when the inductive kick takes place and they light up. I collect preheat fixtures myself...my entire apartment (save for one pre-existing rapid start fixture in my kitchen) is lit by preheat fixtures. The preheat system is the most reliable in fluorescent lights.
100th comment here: videos like these (including this one) have inspired me to start collecting any fluorescent light that isn't instant-start, My collection isn't really on UA-cam though.
I have early MAZDA fluorescent lamps from between 1938 when they were introduced (April 21 to be exact!) until about 1945 when GE dropped the MAZDA name, olus the ones later than that. Those Blackender Westinghouse lamps are actually made in the 1960's. So they have been replaced at least once before. Loose bases are common on old Westinghouse tubes--I use s clear electrical tape to resecure them, had good luck with this method. If the original Westinghouse lamps (if used to begin with) were there, they'd be the ones with block lettering spelling out "WESTINGHOUSE" and probably something like "40 watt Standard Cool White AC OR DC" on them. Since these fixtures were wired with SJTWA cord, it means they were NOT installed in the early 1950's, most likely, but gotten as salvaged units (likely with bulbs) and installed in the late 1980's or later. SJTWA is a pretty modern type of cord. In the early fifties it would probably be type SJO cord. Or SJ. Both are rubber, SJTWA is modern vinyl insulated cord. One possible thing---they might be original, but the original rubber cords got brittle and started shorting out, etc, and were replaced. Using EMT and THHN is fine, and meets code, if that SJTWA is at least 14/3, it would not really be a fire hazard, nor would #16 on a 15 amp breaker, but #18 is a little too light. #14 or #12 would easily handle the full current of the branch circuit. Not exactly "code", but certainly not dangerous either, in that case. The preheat 32 watt 1 lamp circliner is sweet! It has an older lamp, too--one with the old bakelite base and the "housekeeper" type metal-to-glass seals--which, by the way are prone to cracking and causing loss of lamp vacuum and fill gas if they are exposed to bitter cold temperatures--I lost a BUNCH of my beloved housekeeper seal circline fluorescents when I stored them in a shed that let them get cold in winter--they all cracked at the end near the base and were runied except for a few lamps. A majorly stupid mistake! In a heated house they usually don't crack. The reason is the steel seal disc is sealed directly into the glass tube, and steel has a different thermal expansion rate than the glass, and under extreme low temps (below 32 degrees F.) the steel contracts much more than the glass and cracks the glass. And you use a valuable vintage circline lamp. I also noticed the GE's are the most prone to this cracking, the Sylvainas considerably less, but not immune, and the Westinghouses least prone but not immune. I am planning on installing 2 NOS never installed circline units in our kitchen, rapid start, made in 1985, that were 2 lamp 32/40 watt units, and I used a hand sheet metal punch to punch out 3 "T" shaped holes in each unit to install identical lamp support clips to what these units used from the factory, to add a third lamp, a 22 watt, so now I have triple lamp 22/32/40 watt units. I have a separate ballast for the 22 watt lamp, and put the 32/40 ballast on a pull chain with a loop, that I made a "reacher" for to operate the chain without having it hanging down i your face all the time--just reach up, hook the loop, pull and unhook, and stuck on the side of the fridge with attached magnets. This allows me to turn off the big lamps and leave the small lamp on for giving enough light to move about the kitchen and easily be able to turn on the 2 larger lamps, of course along with the already lit 22 watt lamp for all 3 for working in the kitchen. The 22 watter alone is equal to a 75 watt incandescent bulb, and all 3 are about equal to 300 watts of incandescent! I can't wait to install these, and since I use a wheelchair, my "reacher" will be usable from my chair. I will have a good friend install them for me. Cheers! Rick "C-6" Delair!
They originally had sj frayed rubber cord running them till it shorted out. Didn’t have enough thhn to go around so used the sjtw i think it was just to get some light
Absolutely lovely fixtures! ❤
I have in my house a old fluorescent T12 Philips 20w daylight with BJC ballast of 60's. Runs still good. Greetings from Spain.
Thank you for watching, much appreciated !
I like that outer perimeter light set up. I saw it once before in a house years ago and have always wanted something like that. I tried making one like it on my front porch. Turned out ok.
I miss the tink of the old lights starting up.
When replacing an EOL tube in a preheat fluorescent fixture, it is best to replace the starter to minimize the likelihood of a fire associated with the old starter getting stuck.
That is a good point! At one point these had all new starters put in them, but I couldnt tell you when.
Omg I LOVED when you kicked the lights on at the end. Love hearing that pinging sound.
Its awesome! I wish lights were still made like this.....
This is cool . I would spray paint the inside of the covers silver or put aluminum tape, Place them at 45 degree angle to reflect more light onto the ceiling.
That is a good idea. They were painted with a high gloss oil based bright white originally
Yep they don't make 'em like they use to. Maybe 5 or years ago had one of the under cabinet flourescent fixtures with the electronic ballast. After a year and half or two, I thought the bulb burned out (ends glowing orange) went to Walmart to purchase a new bulb (F15T8 if I remember correctly) same thing. Just so happened to have the same fixture across the kitchen using the same bulb type that was working, swapped bulbs , sure enough, the ballast junk. That fact that the old preheat ballast from 1955 still working after 60+ yrs is a testament to the quality of being made in the U.S.A, not China or Taiwan
These lights are used daily and some of the bulbs are decades old. I did go though and change the starters in them, but the bulbs especially since I use new very old stock, last and last....
I really like the lighting over the cupboards. I might try to do something like this in our kitchen. we already have the circle line, which I added myself a couple years back
we have 2 preheat lights in my bathroom, i always enjoy turning them on :)
Those two Philips lamps you showed at the beginning were manufactured in August 1995. Crazy to think that those were some of the last of their kind to be sold in the US. Full-wattage F40CWs were banned from sale in the US in October 1995. Believe it or not, most of the big threes’ fluorescent lamps were manufactured in the USA up until just these past few years.
It’s kind of interesting that you replaced Westinghouse lamps with Philips lamps, since Westinghouse lamps are essentially the ancestors of modern US-market Philips lamps. Philips bought Westinghouse Lighting in 1984. Subsequently, Philips-branded lamps began to be sold in the US, manufactured in Westinghouse factories. Early lamps were made on the same machinery that Westinghouse used, and featured the same black end caps that they used. Philips did sell lamps in the US before 1984, but they were branded as Norelco.
Awesome ! Those bulbs last FOREVER unlike some of the newer ones...
This was a design the builder made in 1955 when he built the house, asside from the sj wire he used on the lights it was a novel idea.... I have them in the living room also
These fixtures are a very good example of American craftsmanship,
They date back to at-least 1955 when the house was built.
Wow
I just got some vintage Westy black enders from a fellow collector. I have the blackenders in F14, F15, F20 and F40T12 lamps. Ill try to make a video of them soon.
Thanks!, I got the same setup in the living room. They dont get used much there. I actually took one down to keep as a collectable. Still has the original ge starter and bulb in it.... These fixtures seem to use less than more modern ones and the bulbs last a long time.....
With the older bulbs its not a bad color. The fact that the inside of the wooden shields are painted a warm white helps also....
Yup, I had an old light I took from a washing machine when they had the light installed in the control pod.... I just electrical taped them in place so the filament leads wouldnt twist..... lasted for 20 years like that.
@Ridge97 They were installed in 1953 when the house was built and was the builders own design. The living room has the same setup in it. It is bright for sure. My aunts house actually had the eight foot lights in her kitchen lol
I use a fluorescent tube as my study lamp and i like it😍
They are good classic lights.
Amazing lights
I love the sound of them energizing
My old high school used to have 50s U-shaped fluorescent light fixtures with 4 bulb before I attended that school. The fixture themselves were round and looked like a plus-shape with all 4 bulbs.
I had the same kitchen cabinets I like them vintage is cool stuff
You got that right !
@daewooparts Its tough to find preheat style ballast around here anymore. The ones in the living room and a couple in the kitchen are still the original bulbs as the living room isnt used as much. They are the OLD General Electric and Westinghouse bulbs. I do have some replacement ballasts, but these GE Original Ballasts are still healthy and not leaking anything.
Bulbs sound like they were making music in the end lol.
lol, sometimes they do sound that way. The new starters I put i them have a nice sound.
the newer bulbs are way better for those ballast too ,if the ballast is going bad ,just find a good high quality replacement "NOS" made in usa ballast ,the newer chinese ballast or complete light fixtures are junk and only last a few years
I love it when fluorescents go bad.
same :)
They have character to them....
Thanks! Yea they do look bigger up there. I have one in the basement on a shelf, same fixture, original starter and bulb doesnt look that big....
@daewooparts the two bulbs I took out were the black capped Westinghouse bulbs. Im gonna keep the bulbs in there till they die, they are hard to get to readilly. I do like those daylight bulbs. As long as it is marked F40T12 they will work, the cool white deluxes were nice. I have those two bulbs that would make a nice pop, :D
@bluecollarable good point, sometimes you bump them tubes and they shatter....
I think I have the same circline light
Is it a 32 watt single?
I didnt save the old ones I took out.... but there are still a few in service. Most say canada on them, some were usa I believe. Used to have boxes of them they are from the 70's and the silver capped GE bulbs, which are in the preheat lights in my living room are the originals from the fixtures
Very cool. Very old. And most importantly, very good quality. LED has nothing on t12. They might with energy costs but they don’t with color and awesomeness.
Believe it or not, these fixtures use less energy than the rapid start t12 fixtures, and even some of the t8 fixtures of the same length. I have re-wired them as they were originally wired with un grounded extension cord
More350Power yikes. Hey, at least they aren’t on fire😂
Those Westinghouse blackender tubes are famous for the bakelite endcaps coming loose...
I actually took down one of the fixtures and replaced just one with a modern ballast..... and kept the old one for a collectible.....
@DaAnalogDogg86 If im not mistaken they call those half-pipers. Atleast some people here on youtube call them that. I used to have those in my basement years ago. Bulbs rarely burn out and I changed all the starters last year.
😊BEAUTIFUL😊❤❤❤❤
Thank you! Two rooms have these lights in them.
I remember seeing 8ft. spiral style bulbs in a old shop in Culver City, Ca. Interesting looking. Guy said they were probably from the 60's.
Ive seen a few of those recently. They were really cool !
Did you save the old westy bulbs ?
Vintage fluorescent bulbs are now collectable , If I lived close by & you were tossing those bulbs I would like to get my hands on them for my collection.
Nice Video.
Nice! I just won six similar fixtures from E Bay!
I didnt think you could still find them..... The bulbs actually last longer in these lights than the newer ones in my house and they are used the same...
@ 2:40 that is a vintage Westinghouse blackender tube...seems sorta rare compared to the USA ones of the same era...
the circle fixtures are from the 50's,those bulbs are from the very late 70's -90's with that "philips" markings ,if they were older they would have the "westinghouse" markings on them ,that was the predasor to the "philips" ,they merged , should just upgrade the bulbs to to new "daylight" mercury free philips bulbs ,they are way more efficient and have a blueish light to them , those old bulbs contain mercury ,but that don't stop me from playing "STAR WARS" LIGHTSABRE SMACKDOWN WITH THEM :P
In former Yugoslavia similar fixtures is made 50,s and 60,s by manufacturer Elektrokovina Maribor ,in version 1 x 20 Watt- 60 cm,2 x 20 Watt, 1x 40 Watt and 2 x 40 Watt with elektromagnetic ballasts.
That would make sense, because I think they were given to me in 1996 at some point.... I think
Some of the new spiral bulbs give off a bad light. One I tried made everything in the kitchen look greenish and another kind has too much blue in it.
You seem to have plenty of light in there, not bad as long as the tubes are a warm color.
The Philips tubes in the beginning of the video are from August 1995 FYI...
Cool, can you make a vid of all the different ones perhaps?
were those put in or in the house when built? Thats first time I've seen that size in a home. Nice lighting though..
I dont like the spiral ones at all. They come in different color shades. The soft white ones have a warmer color than bright white or the daylight which is a bluish tinted bulb. I installed a couple led bulbs recently and am impressed with the light....
not only is it the most reliable, the bulbs last longer and they use less electricity than most newer ones.... ive found when I ran a amp draw on them...
keep those forever, never upgrade them to electronic ballasts or LED.
Never will, why fix what isnt broken ? The bulbs last forever in those style lights.
@@More350Power absolutely. I have some old sylvania tubes from the 70s still running in an old fixture from the early 50s that is used every day. nothing modern even comes close to comparing to them.
I have the vids made and it took me longer than I expected, but they will be posted here within the next week or so....
Let me see what all i have, cause I have small fixtures and a mix of others. It might be a couple weeks before I can actually do it, but I will.
@More350Power voooooommmm,"luke, i am your master" i remember the good old days of wearing taivak jumpsuits with thick clothing and welding gloves/ with respo mask and battling it out ,there was hundreds of these bulbs as well as the old school 6 ft monsters,the battles would last hours until the dust became unbearable
I have a few different types, some say preheat or rapidstart on them, some say usa, and others canada....
Do you still have these lights
Most definitely..... they are used daily.
@@More350Power cool I really like those Fluorescent lights.
i have a preheat in my room , it gives out more light than a normal lamp..its just better to work under.
They were more efficient, lasted longer, and performed better than todays for sure
don't forget to wearing your safty glasses
#9 here!!
@DEATHTRAPHOTRODS Thank you #9!!!
I have 2 similar older Phillips bulbs
The older bulbs laster a lot longer
I have a very simular circle tube
+TheCeiling FanPage That's kind of like that light I told you about but is a bit different and has a pull chain
+Coolgarrett02 Productions oh ok. cool
@wreckingcars72 I see!!!
Hi Nick:-)
@justflooreit4me1 Lots of light lol
@wreckingcars72 Yup uh huh yup, well uh..... HANK!!!!!!
@wreckingcars72 I didnt do anything!!!!
@More350Power ha ha
We are human people not UA-camrs
Thank you for watching!
I hate led
I think I have the same circline light
Do you have a video on it by chance, Im gonna have to check out your channel. This light be older than the fifties. It is used a lot, daily and rarely have to replace bulbs.