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MG TD TF 1500 - Lucas trouble lamp 1157 bulb

I just picked up a period Lucas trouble lamp on ebay. It actually works! However, it has the dual bayonet type 1157 socket housing which seems odd - why use a 2 filament bulb in a one-intensity lamp application?
I'm assuming that it was just to take advantage of the brighter filament in a 1157 bulb?
At any rate, I'll probably order a nice bright LED 1157 bulb; the one I tested on the lamp was pretty dim!

Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff, Are you sure its a 1157 socket. If the bayonet pins are at the same level, it is not a 1157 socket as 1157's have staggered pin heights. I'm sure someone here can lead you to the proper bulb, if that is the case.
... CR
C.R. Tyrell

CR you are right, it does not have staggered pin heights. It has two pins at the bottom however. That makes it a 1142? Not sure... at any rate, I have a bulb that fits it so I know it works, but I definitely need to put in a new bulb, preferably LED.
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff,

You may have 2 contacts in the socket. This would mean that their is no grounding through the socket. This would make sense as the light plugs into the socket on the dash. Their is a British size bulb for this. I will try and find the number.

..CR
C.R. Tyrell

For general information here's what I have found:

1157 bulbs: dual filament, staggered pins, dual contacts in base. Diameter between pins = 17mm. Also known as BAY15D Socket bulb

1142 bulbs: single filament non staggered pins, dual contacts in base. Diameter between pins = 17mm. Also known as BA15D socket bulb.

1156 bulbs: single filament, non staggered pins, single contact in base. Diameter between pins = 17mm. Also known as BA15S socket bulb.

Below are some diagrams that people might find useful.
Geoffrey M Baker

1142 BA15D


Geoffrey M Baker

1156 BA15S


Geoffrey M Baker

1157 BAY15D


Geoffrey M Baker

Interesting...a dual bayonet type socket in trouble lamp? Pretty sure mine is single...going to have to take a look today.
Any chance the socket was bad and someone replaced it with what they had sitting around?
Can you post a pic of the trouble lamp?

I'll post later what bulb is in this one.
(Copper one I think is Lucas)
It is quite bright.


David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

Geoff,

The listed bulb for the Inspection lamp is as follows....

12V - 6 watt S.B.C. Lucas #209

How this transfers to North American Bulb numbering system I am not sure.... maybe some one will chime in.
....CR
C.R. Tyrell

Looks like the 1142 bulb would be the one you need.
...CR
C.R. Tyrell

The twin contact bulb setup appears to be the safest.
If the plug can go in either way then you can have a live case to the lamp with a single contact assby.
I have a pos earth car with a reversed polarity socket for modern electronics.I have to remember the case is now live and only connect it when in use (it is isolated from the car in the undertray).
Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

Here's a closeup of the twin contacts


Geoffrey M Baker

Here's the lamp


Geoffrey M Baker

My inspection lamp has the same dual pin socket (BA15D). Ray's argument about the isolated case makes absolute sense.
Rgdx Mike
Mike Fritsch

Cross reference listing of the lucas 209.

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/209~lucas.html

Blair
Blair Weiss

FYI, I found this led bulb that fits:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/s-series-bulbs/1142-led-bulb--single-intensity-dual-contact-45-smd-led-tower/906/

It is nice and bright (230 lumens) and NON polarity specific so you don't have to worry about how you plug it in.
Geoffrey M Baker

Today was a wet and rainy day here in Tucson (no, it doesn't happen often.) Seemed like a good indoor project day, so I took apart my trouble lamp and cleaned it and put it back together. I'm glad I did; it now turns much more smoothly (with a little oil) and I cut and trimmed and reset the electrical contacts, which looked VERY iffy.
Not too tricky, although there are some pretty small screws to deal with; and getting it apart takes some care to avoid threading the different pieces.
Here's a picture of the parts:


Geoffrey M Baker

And here it is reassembled and shining brightly...


Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2015 and 31/01/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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