Modifying a lightbulb?

[Kayos]

On a recent photography trip I came across an abandoned car park, some kids (presumably) had pushed all the flood lights over. I came across an intact bulb and thought it would make a quirky lamp. Initially I thought about collecting the other bits to power it but decided that would be dangerous and stupid, and also a bit bright for a lamp....

Next thought was modify the bulb and insert a low voltage led. Anyone know the best way to do it? I thought unsolder the bottom pad and pull the gubbins out? Any thoughts?

I also have an intact ceramic holder

 

[brightspark]

no use just unsoldering it its cemented in to the holder also the glass bulbs are sealed with just the wires protruding unless u just mean using the threaded base of the lamp and sacking the glass

 

[Kayos]

No I meant use the glass, I will stick it in a box to be discovered years later and wonder why I have it....

 

[RonA]

On a recent photography trip I came across an abandoned car park, some kids (presumably) had pushed all the flood lights over. I came across an intact bulb and thought it would make a quirky lamp. Initially I thought about collecting the other bits to power it but decided that would be dangerous and stupid, and also a bit bright for a lamp....

Next thought was modify the bulb and insert a low voltage led. Anyone know the best way to do it? I thought unsolder the bottom pad and pull the gubbins out? Any thoughts?

I also have an intact ceramic holder

View attachment 111204

Hi, Don't want to rain on your parade but are there any health hazards associated with opening up the bulb? Mercury, Sodium etc.
RonA

 

[brightspark]

one or the other probably sodium.I'm still here and I've bust a few

 

[Parm]

On a recent photography trip I came across an abandoned car park, some kids (presumably) had pushed all the flood lights over. I came across an intact bulb and thought it would make a quirky lamp. Initially I thought about collecting the other bits to power it but decided that would be dangerous and stupid, and also a bit bright for a lamp....

Next thought was modify the bulb and insert a low voltage led. Anyone know the best way to do it? I thought unsolder the bottom pad and pull the gubbins out? Any thoughts?

I also have an intact ceramic holder

View attachment 111204

Much easier to buy new retro style bulbs

 

[bump]

Something like https://www.brightgoods.co.uk/products/the-john ?

Cheaper alternatives are available.

 

[steveo3002]

Are the glasses open at the bottom before assembly? If so could he just drill the base and shove a small led inside

 

[brightspark]

there sealed with leads protruding then glued and soldered on

 

[Rocketman]

Judging by the amount of black in the tube it's been used for a long time. Bin it not worth keeping in a draw. Standard sodium's are pretty cheap so it's worthless.

 

[gaz1]

this might be yours

 

[thinfourth]

Or

You could cough up £7* and buy this

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...e-tube-shaped-brown-clear-glass-art-30342832/




*Price may not include meatballs

 

[bump]

Or

You could cough up £7* and buy this

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...e-tube-shaped-brown-clear-glass-art-30342832/




*Price may not include meatballs

Or 100 tealights.

 

[Kayos]

The whole point was that I found the bulb and holder, if I can't do it for pennies then there is no point. I don't want to spend £7 on a lightbulb (Mrs Kayos recently spent £45 on 2 custom/vintage/quirky/unique lamp shades that I had to supply fittings for, that's enough spending on light fixtures for now)

 

[Rocketman]

Oh just get a ballast for it, what is it 1000w of sodium power, it will barely light your toilet