Convertible LED lamp fail

Its been a while since I last made a post here so I figured it was about time I'd make an update.

The bulb in my Convertible (model 69) had bit the dust after years of service, so I went out to my local vac shop and bought an incandescent bulb (for $6 I might add!..) I brought it home and installed it, only to have it last one cleaning session..and adding insult to injury the guy at the shop won't give me a refund or an exchange.

Later on I came across the idea of installing an LED bulb. Got one of those corn on the cob style bulbs with the BA15 style socket off ebay from a US seller. It arrived today and what do I find??....it DOESN'T FIT! Granted it fits in the socket but the end of the bulb was a tad short and towards the middle of the base it was a bit too wide which prevented me from being able to twist the darn thing on.
However I got the idea to shave the inside of the socket just a little (with sandpaper wrapped around a pen). After an hour or so of "massaging" the plastic, IT FIT.
Flipped the switch and it was relieved that it worked, and much brighter than the traditional incandescent bulb.

Took a few shots (the ones shown below) and went off to start cleaning.
It ran fine when it was on the normal pile carpet (for about 1 minute) but when it hit the semi-thick rug in the living room. There was a snap, crackle and pop show.......
Keep in mind I do adjust for this rug so that I don't prematurely wear out the belt but the load change was just enough to cause the bulb to blow....I'm not exactly sure but that's the only thing I can come up with..

So those of you that considered doing an LED swap on old Convertible, I'd change my mind if I were you, it was a hassle and waste of time to shave the inner socket and ultimately the darn thing will probably blow up on you. I'm going back to the incandescents.

Oh well.....it looked nice while it lasted!

-Alex

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 357802 8/16/2016 at 22:11 (2,802 days old) by VintageFox (California)
Checkrate/Likes Its been a while since I last made a post here so I figured it was about time I'd make an update. The bulb in my Convertible (model 69) had bit the dust after years of service, so I went out to my local vac shop and bought an incandescent bulb (for $6 I might add!..) I brought it home and installed it, only to have it last one cleaning session..and adding insult to injury the guy at the shop won't give me a refund or an exchange. Later on I came across the idea of installing an LED bulb. Got one of those corn on the cob style bulbs with the BA15 style socket off ebay from a US seller. It arrived today and what do I find??....it DOESN'T FIT! Granted it fits in the socket but the end of the bulb was a tad short and towards the middle of the base it was a bit too wide which prevented me from being able to twist the darn thing on. However I got the idea to shave the inside of the socket just a little (with sandpaper wrapped around a pen). After an hour or so of "massaging" the plastic, IT FIT. Flipped the switch and it was relieved that it worked, and much brighter than the traditional incandescent bulb. Took a few shots (the ones shown below) and went off to start cleaning. It ran fine when it was on the normal pile carpet (for about 1 minute) but when it hit the semi-thick rug in the living room. There was a snap, crackle and pop show....... Keep in mind I do adjust for this rug so that I don't prematurely wear out the belt but the load change was just enough to cause the bulb to blow....I'm not exactly sure but that's the only thing I can come up with.. So those of you that considered doing an LED swap on old Convertible, I'd change my mind if I were you, it was a hassle and waste of time to shave the inner socket and ultimately the darn thing will probably blow up on you. I'm going back to the incandescents. Oh well.....it looked nice while it lasted! -Alex Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 357804 , Reply# 1 8/16/2016 at 22:53 (2,802 days old) by blknblu (CT)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The ones I got from ebay are shorter in length than the one you bought. It is roughly the same length as the incandescent. An LED replacement bulb for a sewing machine is the ticket. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 357807 , Reply# 2 8/16/2016 at 23:13 (2,801 days old) by VintageFox (California)
Checkrate/Likes The one I bought does have more led modules but it was meant for a sewing machine and 120 volt rated as well. Mind sending in a link from which seller you bought yours from? -Alex

Post# 357834 , Reply# 3 8/17/2016 at 08:22 (2,801 days old) by blknblu (CT)
Checkrate/Likes Direct from China .. View Full Size

Post# 357917 , Reply# 4 8/18/2016 at 13:35 (2,800 days old) by dustmatt (Schaumburg, IL)
Checkrate/Likes *WE05120 T7 LED bulb need solder globs* I posted about the Westinghouse 05120 1.5 watt T7 120VAC LED bulb a couple weeks ago for the old Royals. I just received my bulbs and had a similar experience. The bulb fit loosely in the socket and of course it didn't work. The contacts were nearly flush with the black insulator on the end of the bulb. I grabbed my soldering iron and added a couple globs of solder to the contacts and viola. Now it fits snugly, makes connection and works great with plenty of light. I like them, but they won't work out of the box. Here it is after globs added and compared to the original Royal bulb. Second pic is of the contacts as received in the package. BTW I bought mine from a business that had a good price, but also a $25 min order so I've got a lifetime supply...unless I really start buying up old vacs, lol. Now I see Amazon is offering them in 4 pack cartons for around $14. It figures. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 357932 , Reply# 5 8/18/2016 at 18:47 (2,800 days old) by blknblu (CT)
Checkrate/Likes No fitment issues with the one I posted a pic of. I have one in one of my sewing machines as well as some Electrolux P/N's Bulb fits well and is not loose. Of interest is there is no glass, the entire LED assembly is encased in silicone.

Post# 357933 , Reply# 6 8/18/2016 at 19:14 (2,800 days old) by dustmatt (Schaumburg, IL)
Checkrate/Likes Looks like lots of options. The Westinghouse bulb isn't glass either. All plastic with the led mounted on the base shining up through a cone shaped prism like diffuser.

Post# 357942 , Reply# 7 8/19/2016 at 02:15 (2,799 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *dustmatt* Matt, If you say your Magnum Blue Royal is a model 994 or 996, then if it has the green brushroll performance indicator light it will be a 996. ~Ben