#455 Oil Derrick

There's really nothing special about a bulb for heating a bubble tube in any of the bubble tube accessories by any of the manufacturers.  They're common bulbs.

That said, depending on the construction and materials (e.g., plastic, metal, combination), particularly around the bulb-tube area, you will want a bulb that's hot enough at a modest voltage to create the bubbles in the tube, but not so hot as to deform/melt surrounding plastic components.  Also, overheating the bulb(too high a voltage vs. its rating) will shorten its life.

I believe a #363 14-volt bayonet base bulb is the common recommendation for the postwar 455.  I know there have been later versions by Lionel, and some copies by others, some of which my have a different recommended bulb size, rating, base.  Here's where taking a Magic Marker or some such indelible pen and writing the bulb number on the bottom of the accessory (Why don't the manufacturers do this?......rhetorical, I know.) for future reference is a handy thing to do.

Heat transfer from the bulb to the tube is important.  There is nothing wrong with the bulb and tube being in contact with each other to help with this.  In fact, it was shown to me the other day that an early U.S. patent (1944, #2,353063) drawing for the bubble-tube lamp (Christmas style) shows the bulb and tube in contact with each other....not always achieved in the accessory.

Can't say for sure that one manufacturer's bubble-tube is common to another's.  It's all the same technology, though.  Others may have info/experience on this.

FWIW, always....

KD

Find a used set of bubble lights for a christmas tree and use an orange bubble tube from one of the lights.  You'll end up with lots of spares.

Andy

Is the bubble tube missing?
As DKDKRD wrote, the 455 uses a GE #363 bulb.
The 363 bulb draws more amperage than a #53 or a #1445, and should generate more heat.

yes, the bubble tube is missing. I didn't even have time to take the cover to know that I need a "heater" bulb also.

So, I need a #455-47 and a GE#363 then, correct?  Which color tube looks better, the yellow or orange yellow?

Of course, the GE brand isn't easy to find. Can I use any make #363 for the good heat?

Thanks.

Of course, the GE brand isn't easy to find. Can I use any make #363 for the good heat?

In theory, the bulbs are standardized, and all 363 bulbs should have the same characteristics.

C W Burfle posted:

Of course, the GE brand isn't easy to find. Can I use any make #363 for the good heat?

In theory, the bulbs are standardized, and all 363 bulbs should have the same characteristics.

Thank you, sir. Time to get the oil derrick bubbling again.

Train_Geek posted:

Find a used set of bubble lights for a christmas tree and use an orange bubble tube from one of the lights.  You'll end up with lots of spares.

Andy

I'll keep my eye out. Do you know if they are the same diameter as the "official" part? There's a pump arm that rides over it. Anyway, I'll have to get the official part to get it operating now. Thanks for the input.

I was browsing through Jill Sisco's list, and noticed that she is carrying the bubble tube you need.

I have been buying from Jill for a long time, and its always been a good experience.
If she has them, then your favorite parts dealer may also have them.

So, this morning...nothing better to do...I grabbed my vernier caliper and checked 4 different bubble-tube accessories...by Lionel (PW and modern editions) and MTH.

All of them had tube diameters within 0.020" of each other...around 0.40" diameter.  I didn't compare lengths, but I'm sure they're all close.  

The last bubble-tube Christmas lights I had my hands on was around 1949....on our balsam tree in the living room.  Dad finally let me help hang the Mazda and Noma lights on the tree......one of those 'coming of age' memories.  Of course, after the tree was decorated there was THE BIG FINALE!!!....carrying Dad's 366W set (stored in an old Electrolux 'Super Chief' vacuum cleaner box) down from the attic, carefully, lovingly, removing each car, the engine, the tender from its cloth wrappings, setting up the circle of track, the gateman, the antiquated transformer/rheostat/whistle controller.....and watching it come to life.  Hoo boy!   And that whistle!......

FWIW, always....

KD

KD,

Good memories, nice story to read. You can still buy the bubble lights. They have the C-7 base and are all assembled.

Oh, thanks for measuring the bulbs.

Moonman,   I have new bubble tubes.  If you pay the shipping, I will send them to you.  Email is in my profile.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. email sent.

Well, the lamp burned out after less than 20 hours of operation.  That will never work in a museum environment.

To bubble or not to bubble, that is the question.

I believe most 363 bulbs are rated for 250 hours of operation. They will last longer if run at lower voltages, and much shorter if at higher voltages. The 363 is a 14V lamp.

bmoran4 posted:

I believe most 363 bulbs are rated for 250 hours of operation. They will last longer if run at lower voltages, and much shorter if at higher voltages. The 363 is a 14V lamp.

Thank you.  We'll check the voltage and get new lamps.