Has any one ever tackled removing the bubble tube as Lionel calls it? Mine is really stuck. Wondering if someone has a trick to loosen it? I really want to reposition mine not replace it. Thanks.
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I’ve seen people cement them in place since it can easily fall out during storage, if tilted..……it’s not a press fit obviously……..curios, what’s the intention of repositioning it? is it cockeyed or something?
Pat
If standard plastic cement was used to secure the tube, use rubbing alcohol on a Q tip and dab repeatedly. The alcohol will loosen the glue.
Dave
@harmonyards posted:I’ve seen people cement them in place since it can easily fall out during storage, if tilted..……it’s not a press fit obviously……..curios, what’s the intention of repositioning it? is it cockeyed or something?
Pat
The bubble tube, like many bubble lights today sometimes refuses to start to bubble even after ten minutes of heat from the bulb. I was wondering if the tube can be lowered even close to the bulb to maybe add more heat, but I don't want to break this tube either. My other derrick works like a charm after a couple of minutes.
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:The bubble tube, like many bubble lights today sometimes refuses to start to bubble even after ten minutes of heat from the bulb. I was wondering if the tube can be lowered even close to the bulb to maybe add more heat, but I don't want to break this tube either. My other derrick works like a charm after a couple of minutes.
I had the same problem with a bubbling water tower and I read on this forum about using thermal paste between the bulb and tube and it worked.
Tap gently with a pen or screwdriver at the base a few times.
@Soo Line posted:Tap gently with a pen or screwdriver at the base a few times.
You mean to wake up the material in the tube? I know when I have them on the Christmas tree I have to unscrew them and shake and then they work fine.
@charles mcdaniel posted:I had the same problem with a bubbling water tower and I read on this forum about using thermal paste between the bulb and tube and it worked.
So what does this thermal paste actually do??
If you can’t get it out or if you accidentally break it, the bubble tubes in Christmas lights are a perfect replacement. I documented the how to some time ago….Some of the overseas tubes are just a touch larger O.D. and require a little filing for a good fit. They’re essentially one and the same….
Pat
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:So what does this thermal paste actually do??
It transports heat from item to the other.
Pat
@harmonyards posted:It transports heat from item to the other.
Pat
That is very interesting I will have to look up some and see if this works. Thanks, it was interesting to learn of this. Appreciate it.
@Soo Line posted:If standard plastic cement was used to secure the tube, use rubbing alcohol on a Q tip and dab repeatedly. The alcohol will loosen the glue.
Dave
Thanks for the tip. I have no idea what Lionel used in the 1950's for these derricks. I can keep this in mind as well.
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:You mean to wake up the material in the tube? I know when I have them on the Christmas tree I have to unscrew them and shake and then they work fine.
Same principal. I have 2 of them, one works like a charm and the other often needs a little tap or two.
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:That is very interesting I will have to look up some and see if this works. Thanks, it was interesting to learn of this. Appreciate it.
Start easy, …if the tube is too far away from the bulb, but you can’t move the tube, then bring the bulb closer to the tube. Bend the little housing gently to accomplish this. Also, what voltage you’re using plays a role. …try increasing the voltage slightly to increase the heat the lamp puts out,…..no two run the same, at least that’s what I’ve learned over the decades….☺️
Pat
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:You mean to wake up the material in the tube? I know when I have them on the Christmas tree I have to unscrew them and shake and then they work fine.
Where are you tapping or what area?
If it is too far down and too much juice, it may melt the end or top of the tube. I had that happen to one of the modern ones I own.
Interesting.
I think that the tubes construction had something to do with that as the other one looked better and more solid. These were from the 80's and mid 90's. The latter was the melting one.
Interesting that the bulb would melt a glass tube. Must have been really thin glass???
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:Where are you tapping or what area?
Base of the tube on the sides.
Yeah, I know I used to run hot in the 90's in my early O days, never thought too much about that when you're not using command control for anything.
