pilot lamp question

[CADdrafter]

the pilot lamp has burned out on my '59 Bassman RI.

i went here: http://www.tubesandmore.com/ and found this: DIAL LAMP, T-3-1/4, 6.3V, .15A BAYONET BASE

Long life general replacement lamps for dials, indicators, etc.

Replacement for Fender ®. Sold in multiples of 10. If you do not order a multiple of 10, we will adjust your order up to the next multiple of 10. For example, an order of 12 bulbs will be adjusted to 20 bulbs.

is this the correct replacement bulb?

[Dave C]

#47 bulbs are available at Radio Shack , package of 2 for $1.59
Dave C

[John Phillips]

I like to use a car sidelamp bulb, it's the same fitting but rated at 12V/4W. In a 6.3V circuit it will work perfectly well, glow a little less brightly (not much less actually, and still plenty) and likely never burn out again.

[Old Tele man]

+1 on John Phillips suggestion...bulb life is dramatically extended ("...likely (to) never burn out again...") when operating voltage is HALVED from 12.6V down to 6.3V.

[CADdrafter]

+1 on John Phillips suggestion...bulb life is dramatically extended ("...likely (to) never burn out again...") when operating voltage is HALVED from 12.6V down to 6.3V.

i found the direct replacement 6.3V lamp and i also ordered a few 14V lamps to see how they hold up.

this is where i got the lamps: http://www.mouser.com/?Ne=400&handler=data.listcategory&Ntt=*lamps*&terms=lamps&crc=true&N=60621&Ns=SField

[Old Tele man]

...did you notice the "specs" on the different "bayonet-based" incandescent lamps available?

..#47 = 6.3V, 150mA, 3,000 hours "nominal operating life"
#755 = 6.3V, 150mA, 20,000 hours(!) "nominal operating life"

...here are a couple of Sylvania/Osram® charts showing how changes in voltage affect both life and light output (MSCD):

http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/new_sylvania/imgs/lamp_life_measurements.gif

http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/new_sylvania/imgs/char_curves_minilamps.gif

...thus, operating at 50%-voltage increases "life Factor" by X10,000, which means from 3,000 hours to 30,000,000 hours, or about 3,425 years!

[Robboman]

I thought my Bassman RI pilot light burned out, but the socket was just losing contact. Took the panel off and mucked around with it and it lit up again. I was wondering if this is a common issue (I'm no amp guru!)

[tonezoneonline]

Those are a bit pricey.If you would email your postal adress I'll send you a one.

[donnyjaguar]

I think Traynor licked this problem by using a neon bulb off the HT winding. Clever those Canadians! :)

[Old Tele man]

...I simply used an LED-replacement for the #47 incandescent...won't die in my lifetime.

[donnyjaguar]

OldTeleMan, how dare you put a solid state device in that tube amp of yours! :) You know its gonna kill your *tone*. :D

[Old Tele man]

...actually, the "optical" tone of the LAMP "shifted" from "incandescent" white-light to LED blue-light!

...but, the "sonic" tone of the AMP, however, didn't change (ha,ha)!