C-7 means cone shaped bulb at 7/8 inch all light bulbs have a letter for shape and a number meaning 1/8 of an inch so c7 is 7/8 inch and c9 is 1 1/8 inch
We used to have exactly the same GE C-7 lights. They has red, green, blue, yellow-orange, and a more lemony yellow-- but no white. The sets had black and red twisted wiring and black sockets with silver clips. Each bulb had a GE stamp near the base. They were so pretty. I share your passion for Christmas lights. What a treasure you found! I share your sentiment about the vintage C-9 bulbs with inside painting, too. I just wish we had the snow.
good evening Howard, while watching the video my childhood memories came back: my parents were making the Christmas tree in the night of the 24th to the 25th of December; the lights were the same as yours, I recognize the bulbs and everything else, I go back in time; it's nice to see the face of my parents and my brothers in front of this enchantment of lights: it's good to think of all this past and hard at the same time because my loved ones are no longer here I'm going to be 70 years old in 2023 and I live in the memories, I had the chance to cross these beautiful periods of the years 50,60,70 may God bless you thank you Howard for this video friendly marc
Yep, I'm 61 and remember all the old stuff well also. My folks used mostly mini lights inside, with some C9's outdoors. It was all my other relatives that used the lights like I use. My grandparents house was all C9's outdoors, all different types of C7's and mini flower lights inside. I loved going to their house at Christmas time. Grandpa always made sure they were up for Thanksgiving, because he knew how much I liked them. My grandparents were a couple hour drive away, thats why he always made sure he had them up when we went for Thanksgiving dinner. I do the same, putting my lights up just before Thanksgiving. As a kid.... 10+ years old, I started putting tons of C9's up at my folks. Mostly in the back yard, as we had 44 acres behind us to play on, so my friends and I could see them why out playing.... sledding, snowmobiling and skiing.
OMG when it comes to vintage Christmas lights, I am definitely a hoarder. I do walk away from them if I feel there over priced though. I have thousands of C9 bulbs, and close to that in all types of C7 lights..... bubblers, lighted ice and whatnot.
Thank you for the video I like all your videos I don't care if it's about the cars about the bulbs I like watching you fix the cars yeah but I like it fixing the bulbs and all that stuff always do
I like the vintage Christmas lights too. Especially the C7 GE light sets from the late 1980's early 1990's. The colors were beautiful, especially the multicolored light sets. Even the GE miniature light sets were nice too. One year, I made a wreath and put it on the outside of my grandparents' house. It had one string of C7 GE multicolored lights (25 count) and about 3 strings of lights (100 count) that were also GE multi's. That was a nice looking wreath, especially when it got snow on it. Seeing these old lights brings back nice memories of decorating the house, inside and out. Also, we used to go get a real tree and used some of these lights on it too.
I agree..... the GE's are my favorite too, but the C9 and C7 GE bulbs have the shortest lifespan of all the brands of that size Christmas lamp. Due to that, I don't use GE lamps where they're hard to reach or change. The GE mini lamps last forever, but the color peels off if they're used outdoors in the weather, on the older looped sets anyway.
My grandparents had a set of old c9 lights and my parents bought several sets of c7 lights back in the early 90s. I remember a smell that colored ceramic c9 and c7 lights would emit after they got warm. It was probably a chemical the paint would release after it got hot but I loved it!
I think you keep buying vintage Christmas lights to make sure they have a home to go to. Christmas time seems like a real special time for you. I'm glad that you make videos and bring us along showing us your passion.
I just like them for some odd reason. I just can't walk by them in a sale..... I have to buy them in order to save myself from going back to the sale to buy them...... It's a sickness I think.
@@martinbeneteau309 Yep, thats what everyone used when I was a kid. After the oil embargo in 73, most people went with mini lights. Before that the C9's were everywhere.
👍Score! There’s something about those old C9 bulbs that take me back to fond memories of the times. I’m 56 & appreciate the type of art on those boxes too. I really should get in my mothers attic & look around. I’m sure some of my childhood is up there awaiting rediscovery. *”Made in USA”, sadly a thing of past. I was speaking w/ my cousin about just that topic recently. He’s worked at our local FORD truck plant (we have 2 FORD plants) in Louisville for past 29 yrs. He said it’s a shame that HONDA cars are MORE made in USA basically 100% whereas FORD is not even 60%. We need to start building things again in this fine country of ours! Nice video H! Thx! 👍🇺🇸
At 8:39, I see you have an internally coated green block logo GE bulb. I really like those, and display a string of 25 on the front porch. Any time I see some of those, I buy them. Yes, I like those Japanese C9 bulbs as well!
I have a ton of the C7 GE block letter bulbs. I love the looks of them illuminated. I'm going to a few estate sales today.... I'm wondering if I'll be adding more lights, though I didn't see any in the photos.... Around Christmas, estate sale's people always put photos of the Christmas decorations in the sale up.... the rest of the year they may or may not.... so there might not be any lights today.
@@OldCarAlley Always a good idea to get some more! I use the same website you do. Haven't seen much that caught my attention lately. On the C7 GE Glow Brights, from what I can tell, those came out in 1977. Part of the 5 watt "ENER GE SAVER" product line. I've had decent luck with them under the carport, but occasionally the finish will split down one side, then peel off in one piece. I recall buying some in a grocery store in 1987, slightly different packaging, but still USA made. After that, the envelope changed, and the paint got sprayed on like other manufacturers did. I have some of those bulbs, too, but they aren't as nice as the older ones. There is a Flickr group called "General Electric Christmas Lights." Very cool, if you haven't already checked it out.
@@dynatrak I just didn't remember when they changed the bulbs, other than it was the late 70's. The ones I put out in the weather peeled just like you stated, it would split the paint, then come off in one piece. Both the C7 and C9 bulbs peeled. I remember when they went to the generic outside painted bulb. I didn't like the shape of the bulb, but the paint was much better. A local True Value Hardware closed near me many many years ago.... it was just before Christmas. I bought out all there C7 and C9 stock. I got four cases of brand new GE C7 bulbs and six cases of GE C9 bulbs. A few are still sealed closed boxes. GE are far from my favorite bulbs. I love the Westinghouse bulbs as they last and all have different inside paint patterns. They're not that common either. I also like the Japanese bulbs, as they last forever! I'll check that Flickr group out.
I'm glad I found your channel. I am a collector of old Christmas lights, fans, and enjoy vintage cars. The Sears lights were produced around 1966 or 1967. I only collect vintage GE and Westinghouse as long as they are not painted on the outside those are lousy. That is all I use on the outside and inside of the house. They are getting harder and harder to find. Whenever I see C7's or C9's I scoop them up. Especially the flame bulbs the variations in color because of the powder used is cool. The C7's made with the powder where only made for a few years you had a green one in one of the sets you tested it GE in block letters. Thanks again for a great video.
I have tons of those old style GE block letter C7 inside coated bulbs. I have a ton of Westinghouse bulbs also. I really like the look of the Westinghouse bulbs illuminated. I find the GE bulbs tend to have the shortest life span.... the old bulbs with Japan on the base seem to last the longest. 90% of my bulbs are inside coated..... I have thousands of them. I have a bunch of inside coated blinkers and a few flame inside coated blinkers..... I hear they're super rare. I have a bunch of old fans too.... Maybe a couple dozen.... but only one old car at the moment.
6 місяців тому
The best. Not brash like most new lights. Uses more electricity, but it’s only for a couple of weeks every year.
lol i was thinking a few days back of dropping by to check out your light videos as it is that time of year but i did not have to, have to make a effort, as this video was a suggestion. cool. thanks for posting. as you have noted some of us found your channel because of the lights. oh! the good old days. and stayed because of your positive personality and cool cars
my tru tone Christmas lights arrive today to Ottawa Canada home of sub arctic weather. when i get them on my little tree i will post a video. thank you Howard for the link to tru tone as the lights made my day today when they came on for the first time. and like you i even love the packaging.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Thats kinda what it sounds like now..... but this is Michigan. It could be 70 and sunny.... though I'd kinda like a white Christmas.
Wow, I stumbled across this. Love the old Christmas lights especially the C6 ones. My dad died last March, and we kids have been going through the vintage lights.
Sorry for your loss. My dad passed two years ago. I love the vintage Christmas lights. I have tons of them. It's like a blizzard outside today, so I turned on all the outdoor lights, as they look amazing with the snow.
We have struggled with Christmas lights this year. I thought I had everything taped good and water proof but the heavy rain took them out. I took them all apart and I'm waiting for them to dry out now. ( new led junk ) I love your old lights. Enjoyed seeing your Christmas tree in your previous video.
We haven't had much rain, but wind..... we have had several days since I put the stuff up with wind blowing 30, 40mph with 50, 60mph gust. Some of my neighbors have had items blow away. I have had to put the blow mold candles inside several days due to wind.
@@OldCarAlley Knowing you Howard I'm sure your installation of the decorations are very secure. I'm glad the wind hasn't messed them up. I'll be 71 next year Lord willing. I don't know how many more years I'll be putting anything up on the gutters.
...Howard, you KNOW I Appreciate This Christmas Light video ...thank you !!!! Please, get short video of Those Bulbs IN SNOW, if possible ;D -- Merry & Blessed Christmas !!! k.
I have tons of GE with the small rounds logo. I have them with the "D-14" also.... but not as many, plus I didn't know when they changed to that logo. Thank you for the info.
Hahaha, I always look for, and buy vintage Christmas light strings, when I find them, and the price is right! I recently bought a strand of satin-glo, and a few bulbs are shot, open filament. I'm hoping to find a few spare bulbs to complete the string. I've been shopping "The 'Bay" for them. I also collect C6, and C9. I have a lot of spare C9 bulbs, and I'm across town if you need any.
I have always enjoyed the C7 lights . the C9 lights draw a good amount of electricity . I have collected C7 lights for many years and only like the stamped GE lights . I remember working at a Country Club and the decorating committee did not want the large screw in lights , so they said I could have them . I own maybe 6 or 7 hundred packs of NOS lights .
I've got a bunch of those old lights left over from my parents estate, some bubble lights, too. They are mostly C6 and C7. I am not sure I got any of the C9s. They're all packed in boxes and buried somewhere. Problem with the bubble lights is I can't tell which are originals and which are the reproductions my dad bought. He would like an entire 7 foot tree in bubble lights. I guess I ought to get them out one day.
The original bubblers usually are always warped. The repo's don't seem to warp, I think due to lower wattage bulbs..... In my elementary school, back in the 60's, the tree in the office was all bubble lights. It looked amazing as I bet your dads did too.
Well, it's official. This channel is my new obsession. Left a comment a couple days ago on your 2018 Christmas decorations video; it really inspired me. Subscribed! Question for ya (I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere online): this year I'm doing a total of four strings of lights outside: two 25-bulb strings of c7, along with two 50-bulb mini light strings (all incandescent). Of course, I won't connect the c7 strings to the mini light strings, but can I plug both strings into the same outlet? I.e., can I plug the c7s into the top plug of the outlet and the mini lights into the bottom plug of the outlet? Thanks much for helping a Christmas light dummy.
They should be all good running on one outlet. The C7's depending on age, range between 4 and 7 watts each lamp. The older bulbs were 7 watts, so if your using only older bulbs, you looking at 350 watts for two 25 sets of the old type C7's or 200 watts with the newer (80's and up) 4 watt C7's. Typical mini light sets run between 35 and 50 watts each, depending on how many bulbs the set has. A 15 amp. circuit should be able to handle 1800 watts max.
@@OldCarAlley Wow! Thanks so much for all the invaluable info! Been doing as much research as I can, but couldn't find a straight answer for what I felt was the most basic of questions! My mom gave me three old Noma cords and they're in such good shape I almost can't believe it. They're the red and green kind with the red wooden beads. She also gave me a collection of about 60 c7s, all different types. Tested about 5 today and so far so good. All of this stuff belonged to my great grandma. My mom knows how much I love Christmas (I literally look forward to it all year!) and said she knew I'd appreciate the lights more than she would, so now they're mine! I'm so grateful...can't wait to decorate. Tomorrow's the day. Thank you again for your help--I appreciate you 😊🎄
@@ggeemmiinnii I put some old C7's up in my garage that I picked up at an estate sale a couple weeks ago. I might start putting up my outdoor C9 lights this weekend.
@@OldCarAlley Nice! Enjoy! Would LOVE to see a video or even some shorts. Hoping for some snow soon...it snowed here on Halloween, but hasn't since. It's too warm for me right now...I'm a winter lover. The old c7s and c9s look breathtaking covered in snow. 'Breathtaking' might sound dramatic, but they're just so pretty. My great aunt is 98 (still healthy as hell, it's incredible) and I have so many great memories of Christmas at her house; she, my great uncle, my parents, and other 'older' relatives would play cards well into the night, and I'd play with my new Christmas presents under their card table while they played cards. I vividly recall looking up from under the card table through all the sets of legs at the (real, of course) Christmas tree, covered in those big old lights and the thin tinsel that would twinkle. Then all of a sudden, I'd be waking up in my dad's arms, his coat thrown over my head to keep me warm for the walk from the front door to my parent's Mercury Marquis. My dad would lie me down in the back seat and would place his coat over me again for the long ride home. I'd try to stay awake to see all of the decorated houses on the way home, but would never be able to stay up for very long with the heater blasting and my parents comfy chatter and laughter in the front. It's so fun sharing my childhood Christmas memories, and I love hearing other's holiday memories as well...Christmas is the perfect time of year for those of us young at heart.
@@ggeemmiinnii We got snow for Halloween also. My grandparents used all C9 and C7 lights and the flower mini lights. My folks used C9's well into the late 80's. I have used them for 50+ years, as I starting putting them in the trees in my folks back yard as a kid. I do have many videos of my lights. I was going to start getting out boxes of lights today, so I can start putting them up this weekend. I hope to have everything up by Thanksgiving.
The problem I have with dimmers, is they melt down from the load off the C9's, plus I like them at full brightness. I have enough to where I will never run out of them in my lifetime.
I have tons of older bulbs that are 9 watt C9's and 7 watt C7's. I do have a lot of the lower wattage bulbs like yours also. Looking at them illuminated, you can't tell the difference in the brightness between the two wattages. It's just that the older higher wattage bulbs are inside ceramic coated.... they don't fade or peel. Thats why I like the older bulbs, plus they last longer than the newer bulbs.
Use no more than 2 strings of 25 together, otherwise wires start getting warm. I use a 12-3 25' extension cord on a 20 amp circuit to run six sets of 25 off a three way plug on the cord. Those old C9 25 light sets draw about 200 watts per set.
Did you know that there were C8 bulbs? They were not made more than a season or 2. They had a C7 base but a larger envelope, they were opaque and were bulbs that blinked. I happen to get a couple over the years, here is a video ua-cam.com/video/lmzhu8F9rDE/v-deo.html
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
C-7 means cone shaped bulb at 7/8 inch all light bulbs have a letter for shape and a number meaning 1/8 of an inch so c7 is 7/8 inch and c9 is 1 1/8 inch
Interesting, I did not know that. Thank you for the info.
So what is a C6?
@@edwardfuit1185 it also stands for candelabra.
We used to have exactly the same GE C-7 lights. They has red, green, blue, yellow-orange, and a more lemony yellow-- but no white. The sets had black and red twisted wiring and black sockets with silver clips. Each bulb had a GE stamp near the base. They were so pretty.
I share your passion for Christmas lights. What a treasure you found! I share your sentiment about the vintage C-9 bulbs with inside painting, too. I just wish we had the snow.
I love hanging out with you ,Howard. You have a great disposition and the nostalgia is calming. Great video!
Glad you enjoy my videos, and Thank You for watching them.
Yup exactly! A guy can just breath! Thank you Howard for sharing your wealth of knowledge
Enjoy your Christmas lights as much as your cars thank you
Wow! That's a great find. The cords are easily to repair with heat shrink tubing. A lot of those bulb colors are not very common.
good evening Howard, while watching the video my childhood memories came back: my parents were making the Christmas tree in the night of the 24th to the 25th of December; the lights were the same as yours, I recognize the bulbs and everything else, I go back in time; it's nice to see the face of my parents and my brothers in front of this enchantment of lights: it's good to think of all this past and hard at the same time because my loved ones are no longer here
I'm going to be 70 years old in 2023 and I live in the memories, I had the chance to cross these beautiful periods of the years 50,60,70
may God bless you
thank you Howard for this video
friendly marc
Yep, I'm 61 and remember all the old stuff well also. My folks used mostly mini lights inside, with some C9's outdoors. It was all my other relatives that used the lights like I use. My grandparents house was all C9's outdoors, all different types of C7's and mini flower lights inside. I loved going to their house at Christmas time. Grandpa always made sure they were up for Thanksgiving, because he knew how much I liked them. My grandparents were a couple hour drive away, thats why he always made sure he had them up when we went for Thanksgiving dinner. I do the same, putting my lights up just before Thanksgiving. As a kid.... 10+ years old, I started putting tons of C9's up at my folks. Mostly in the back yard, as we had 44 acres behind us to play on, so my friends and I could see them why out playing.... sledding, snowmobiling and skiing.
Amazing collection! ❤️
I have some of them in my closet too.
Very hard to find them.
I enjoy anything old, cars, trucks, Christmas lights,toys, anything from when times were simpler. Great video!
Yep, that makes two of us.
I collect all sorts of vintage colored bulbs. I had to slow down because it's so easy to become a light bulb horder...
💡 💡 💡
OMG when it comes to vintage Christmas lights, I am definitely a hoarder. I do walk away from them if I feel there over priced though. I have thousands of C9 bulbs, and close to that in all types of C7 lights..... bubblers, lighted ice and whatnot.
Thank you for the video I like all your videos I don't care if it's about the cars about the bulbs I like watching you fix the cars yeah but I like it fixing the bulbs and all that stuff always do
I like the vintage Christmas lights too. Especially the C7 GE light sets from the late 1980's early 1990's. The colors were beautiful, especially the multicolored light sets. Even the GE miniature light sets were nice too. One year, I made a wreath and put it on the outside of my grandparents' house. It had one string of C7 GE multicolored lights (25 count) and about 3 strings of lights (100 count) that were also GE multi's. That was a nice looking wreath, especially when it got snow on it. Seeing these old lights brings back nice memories of decorating the house, inside and out. Also, we used to go get a real tree and used some of these lights on it too.
I agree..... the GE's are my favorite too, but the C9 and C7 GE bulbs have the shortest lifespan of all the brands of that size Christmas lamp. Due to that, I don't use GE lamps where they're hard to reach or change. The GE mini lamps last forever, but the color peels off if they're used outdoors in the weather, on the older looped sets anyway.
My grandparents had a set of old c9 lights and my parents bought several sets of c7 lights back in the early 90s. I remember a smell that colored ceramic c9 and c7 lights would emit after they got warm. It was probably a chemical the paint would release after it got hot but I loved it!
I think you keep buying vintage Christmas lights to make sure they have a home to go to. Christmas time seems like a real special time for you. I'm glad that you make videos and bring us along showing us your passion.
I just like them for some odd reason. I just can't walk by them in a sale..... I have to buy them in order to save myself from going back to the sale to buy them...... It's a sickness I think.
@@OldCarAlley maybe they hold a special place in your heart. A special memory from your childhood.
@@martinbeneteau309 Yep, thats what everyone used when I was a kid. After the oil embargo in 73, most people went with mini lights. Before that the C9's were everywhere.
👍Score! There’s something about those old C9 bulbs that take me back to fond memories of the times. I’m 56 & appreciate the type of art on those boxes too. I really should get in my mothers attic & look around. I’m sure some of my childhood is up there awaiting rediscovery.
*”Made in USA”, sadly a thing of past. I was speaking w/ my cousin about just that topic recently. He’s worked at our local FORD truck plant (we have 2 FORD plants) in Louisville for past 29 yrs. He said it’s a shame that HONDA cars are MORE made in USA basically 100% whereas FORD is not even 60%. We need to start building things again in this fine country of ours! Nice video H! Thx! 👍🇺🇸
I agree 10000000%!
Yes, I want to hear the story about the seat! Merry Christmas friend!
Merry Christmas
At 8:39, I see you have an internally coated green block logo GE bulb. I really like those, and display a string of 25 on the front porch. Any time I see some of those, I buy them.
Yes, I like those Japanese C9 bulbs as well!
I have a ton of the C7 GE block letter bulbs. I love the looks of them illuminated. I'm going to a few estate sales today.... I'm wondering if I'll be adding more lights, though I didn't see any in the photos.... Around Christmas, estate sale's people always put photos of the Christmas decorations in the sale up.... the rest of the year they may or may not.... so there might not be any lights today.
@@OldCarAlley Always a good idea to get some more! I use the same website you do. Haven't seen much that caught my attention lately.
On the C7 GE Glow Brights, from what I can tell, those came out in 1977. Part of the 5 watt "ENER GE SAVER" product line. I've had decent luck with them under the carport, but occasionally the finish will split down one side, then peel off in one piece. I recall buying some in a grocery store in 1987, slightly different packaging, but still USA made. After that, the envelope changed, and the paint got sprayed on like other manufacturers did. I have some of those bulbs, too, but they aren't as nice as the older ones.
There is a Flickr group called "General Electric Christmas Lights." Very cool, if you haven't already checked it out.
@@dynatrak I just didn't remember when they changed the bulbs, other than it was the late 70's. The ones I put out in the weather peeled just like you stated, it would split the paint, then come off in one piece. Both the C7 and C9 bulbs peeled. I remember when they went to the generic outside painted bulb. I didn't like the shape of the bulb, but the paint was much better. A local True Value Hardware closed near me many many years ago.... it was just before Christmas. I bought out all there C7 and C9 stock. I got four cases of brand new GE C7 bulbs and six cases of GE C9 bulbs. A few are still sealed closed boxes. GE are far from my favorite bulbs. I love the Westinghouse bulbs as they last and all have different inside paint patterns. They're not that common either. I also like the Japanese bulbs, as they last forever! I'll check that Flickr group out.
Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.
i like and enjoy those old packages too, puts you back in a simpler cozier time...
Totally
I'm glad I found your channel. I am a collector of old Christmas lights, fans, and enjoy vintage cars. The Sears lights were produced around 1966 or 1967. I only collect vintage GE and Westinghouse as long as they are not painted on the outside those are lousy. That is all I use on the outside and inside of the house. They are getting harder and harder to find. Whenever I see C7's or C9's I scoop them up. Especially the flame bulbs the variations in color because of the powder used is cool. The C7's made with the powder where only made for a few years you had a green one in one of the sets you tested it GE in block letters. Thanks again for a great video.
I have tons of those old style GE block letter C7 inside coated bulbs. I have a ton of Westinghouse bulbs also. I really like the look of the Westinghouse bulbs illuminated. I find the GE bulbs tend to have the shortest life span.... the old bulbs with Japan on the base seem to last the longest. 90% of my bulbs are inside coated..... I have thousands of them. I have a bunch of inside coated blinkers and a few flame inside coated blinkers..... I hear they're super rare. I have a bunch of old fans too.... Maybe a couple dozen.... but only one old car at the moment.
The best. Not brash like most new lights. Uses more electricity, but it’s only for a couple of weeks every year.
I always liked the SMELL! The smell of HOT! And the glow.
Like the smell of old tube radios.
@ericzerkle8486 YEAH BABY! and the smell of an old console stereo.
lol i was thinking a few days back of dropping by to check out your light videos as it is that time of year but i did not have to, have to make a effort, as this video was a suggestion. cool. thanks for posting. as you have noted some of us found your channel because of the lights. oh! the good old days. and stayed because of your positive personality and cool cars
my tru tone Christmas lights arrive today to Ottawa Canada home of sub arctic weather. when i get them on my little tree i will post a video. thank you Howard for the link to tru tone as the lights made my day today when they came on for the first time. and like you i even love the packaging.
Merry Christmas 🎄 looking like Thursday is going to be the snowmaker. Have a happy New Year as well
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Thats kinda what it sounds like now..... but this is Michigan. It could be 70 and sunny.... though I'd kinda like a white Christmas.
I like all the videos.
I glad you like them.... Some of my videos I wonder how anyone would want to watch them.... Thank you for watching them.
Wow, I stumbled across this. Love the old Christmas lights especially the C6 ones. My dad died last March, and we kids have been going through the vintage lights.
Sorry for your loss. My dad passed two years ago.
I love the vintage Christmas lights. I have tons of them. It's like a blizzard outside today, so I turned on all the outdoor lights, as they look amazing with the snow.
I had a father-in-law that was very “frugal”. He’d strip those peeling, painted bulbs and respray with his ‘65 Falcon blue paint. Great video!
I'v done that too, but there kinda blotchy looking. I use a rattle can though.
Great
IMO probably the best constructed string of the time was the GE strings with the springy metal clips on the plastic socket
We have struggled with Christmas lights this year. I thought I had everything taped good and water proof but the heavy rain took them out. I took them all apart and I'm waiting for them to dry out now. ( new led junk )
I love your old lights. Enjoyed seeing your Christmas tree in your previous video.
We haven't had much rain, but wind..... we have had several days since I put the stuff up with wind blowing 30, 40mph with 50, 60mph gust. Some of my neighbors have had items blow away. I have had to put the blow mold candles inside several days due to wind.
@@OldCarAlley Knowing you Howard I'm sure your installation of the decorations are very secure. I'm glad the wind hasn't messed them up. I'll be 71 next year Lord willing. I don't know how many more years I'll be putting anything up on the gutters.
...Howard, you KNOW I Appreciate This Christmas Light video ...thank you !!!! Please, get short video of Those Bulbs IN SNOW, if possible ;D -- Merry & Blessed Christmas !!! k.
...sorry only watched 1st 20min. Maybe you Did Snow Shots...thanks
I'll get some snow video of the lights, IF and when we get snow.
I did put a very short clip of a dusting of snow on the back yard lights, towards the end of the video.
I went to. Canadian tire. Last Christmas. Ended. Up. Buying. The. Last. Of. 9 style. Bulb. He. Said. They. We’re. In stock. Room. For ever. Thanks
Those GE ceramic with the small round logo and the D14 first came out in 1963. Those are older than those that don't say D14.
I have tons of GE with the small rounds logo. I have them with the "D-14" also.... but not as many, plus I didn't know when they changed to that logo. Thank you for the info.
Hahaha, I always look for, and buy vintage Christmas light strings, when I find them, and the price is right! I recently bought a strand of satin-glo, and a few bulbs are shot, open filament. I'm hoping to find a few spare bulbs to complete the string. I've been shopping "The 'Bay" for them. I also collect C6, and C9. I have a lot of spare C9 bulbs, and I'm across town if you need any.
Sounds good.... but I already have thousands of extra bulbs.
@@OldCarAlley I thought you might! 🙂
I have always enjoyed the C7 lights . the C9 lights draw a good amount of electricity . I have collected C7 lights for many years and only like the stamped GE lights . I remember working at a Country Club and the decorating committee did not want the large screw in lights , so they said I could have them . I own maybe 6 or 7 hundred packs of NOS lights .
You sound like myself.... I would have taken them too......
I've got a bunch of those old lights left over from my parents estate, some bubble lights, too. They are mostly C6 and C7. I am not sure I got any of the C9s. They're all packed in boxes and buried somewhere. Problem with the bubble lights is I can't tell which are originals and which are the reproductions my dad bought. He would like an entire 7 foot tree in bubble lights. I guess I ought to get them out one day.
The original bubblers usually are always warped. The repo's don't seem to warp, I think due to lower wattage bulbs..... In my elementary school, back in the 60's, the tree in the office was all bubble lights. It looked amazing as I bet your dads did too.
I didn’t know there was flasher versions of ceramic bulbs. I’m wanting to switch from transparent to ceramic next year.
Yep, they're kinda rare though.
Have you ever gone to the golden glow vintage christmas convention?
Never.... but maybe one year I'll go.
Well, it's official. This channel is my new obsession. Left a comment a couple days ago on your 2018 Christmas decorations video; it really inspired me. Subscribed!
Question for ya (I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere online): this year I'm doing a total of four strings of lights outside: two 25-bulb strings of c7, along with two 50-bulb mini light strings (all incandescent). Of course, I won't connect the c7 strings to the mini light strings, but can I plug both strings into the same outlet? I.e., can I plug the c7s into the top plug of the outlet and the mini lights into the bottom plug of the outlet? Thanks much for helping a Christmas light dummy.
They should be all good running on one outlet. The C7's depending on age, range between 4 and 7 watts each lamp. The older bulbs were 7 watts, so if your using only older bulbs, you looking at 350 watts for two 25 sets of the old type C7's or 200 watts with the newer (80's and up) 4 watt C7's. Typical mini light sets run between 35 and 50 watts each, depending on how many bulbs the set has. A 15 amp. circuit should be able to handle 1800 watts max.
@@OldCarAlley Wow! Thanks so much for all the invaluable info! Been doing as much research as I can, but couldn't find a straight answer for what I felt was the most basic of questions!
My mom gave me three old Noma cords and they're in such good shape I almost can't believe it. They're the red and green kind with the red wooden beads. She also gave me a collection of about 60 c7s, all different types. Tested about 5 today and so far so good. All of this stuff belonged to my great grandma. My mom knows how much I love Christmas (I literally look forward to it all year!) and said she knew I'd appreciate the lights more than she would, so now they're mine! I'm so grateful...can't wait to decorate. Tomorrow's the day.
Thank you again for your help--I appreciate you 😊🎄
@@ggeemmiinnii I put some old C7's up in my garage that I picked up at an estate sale a couple weeks ago. I might start putting up my outdoor C9 lights this weekend.
@@OldCarAlley Nice! Enjoy! Would LOVE to see a video or even some shorts.
Hoping for some snow soon...it snowed here on Halloween, but hasn't since. It's too warm for me right now...I'm a winter lover. The old c7s and c9s look breathtaking covered in snow. 'Breathtaking' might sound dramatic, but they're just so pretty.
My great aunt is 98 (still healthy as hell, it's incredible) and I have so many great memories of Christmas at her house; she, my great uncle, my parents, and other 'older' relatives would play cards well into the night, and I'd play with my new Christmas presents under their card table while they played cards. I vividly recall looking up from under the card table through all the sets of legs at the (real, of course) Christmas tree, covered in those big old lights and the thin tinsel that would twinkle. Then all of a sudden, I'd be waking up in my dad's arms, his coat thrown over my head to keep me warm for the walk from the front door to my parent's Mercury Marquis. My dad would lie me down in the back seat and would place his coat over me again for the long ride home. I'd try to stay awake to see all of the decorated houses on the way home, but would never be able to stay up for very long with the heater blasting and my parents comfy chatter and laughter in the front.
It's so fun sharing my childhood Christmas memories, and I love hearing other's holiday memories as well...Christmas is the perfect time of year for those of us young at heart.
@@ggeemmiinnii We got snow for Halloween also. My grandparents used all C9 and C7 lights and the flower mini lights. My folks used C9's well into the late 80's. I have used them for 50+ years, as I starting putting them in the trees in my folks back yard as a kid. I do have many videos of my lights. I was going to start getting out boxes of lights today, so I can start putting them up this weekend. I hope to have everything up by Thanksgiving.
They last longer of you use a dimmer.
Really extends the live even if you dim them by 10%.
The problem I have with dimmers, is they melt down from the load off the C9's, plus I like them at full brightness. I have enough to where I will never run out of them in my lifetime.
All of my C7 and C9 bulbs are 4,5 and 7 watts
I have tons of older bulbs that are 9 watt C9's and 7 watt C7's. I do have a lot of the lower wattage bulbs like yours also. Looking at them illuminated, you can't tell the difference in the brightness between the two wattages. It's just that the older higher wattage bulbs are inside ceramic coated.... they don't fade or peel. Thats why I like the older bulbs, plus they last longer than the newer bulbs.
Is there a max on how many strands of c9 you can run. I want to light up an big outdoor tree using c9 bulbs. I have 7 or eight strands
Use no more than 2 strings of 25 together, otherwise wires start getting warm. I use a 12-3 25' extension cord on a 20 amp circuit to run six sets of 25 off a three way plug on the cord. Those old C9 25 light sets draw about 200 watts per set.
@OldCarAlley thanks. Going to do this for my 83yr old Mom who loves the big c9s and her pine tree will look awesome
@@dittoditto6216 Send me a photo of it, once it's lit up.
Did you know that there were C8 bulbs? They were not made more than a season or 2. They had a C7 base but a larger envelope, they were opaque and were bulbs that blinked. I happen to get a couple over the years, here is a video ua-cam.com/video/lmzhu8F9rDE/v-deo.html
Thank you for sending the video..... it was interesting.
C7 1/2 C9 1/4
Fire hazard in a box!
LOL..... Totally!
old incandescent Christmas lights have hart and sole to them! not like the cold LED lights
TOTALLY
I do not know how I got here.
Thank you for watching my video even though you don't know why, lol.
Anyone with any common sense would be using the old vintage C7 and C9 valves. Not the LED ones!!!