MINIATURE LAMP APPLICATIONS 15-9

the influence of vibration, the resistance of the joint between the filament
leg and the lead-in wire can change enough to produce radio interference in
a radio set if the clamp is not tight.
Glow lamps also are used in radio sets. One Neon glow lamp, with a
T-4| bulb and a double-contact
bayonet base, draws 0.002 ampere at 105
to 125 volts and has characteristics that permit its use as a voltage regulator
in some receiver circuits.
A similar lamp has been used to indicate the output voltage of a
B battery. The lamp is connected in a relaxation circuit with a 4-megohm
-VW
4 MEGOHMS
B
BATTERY
1
resistor in series with the lamp and a
0.1-microfarad condenser across the
lamp. (See Fig. 15-8.) In such a , _*-
\
GL0W
circuit, as the battery voltage drops
\j-j/\-*mp
the flash rate is reduced thus giving
a visual indication of the battery con-
ditions. The drain on the batteries
FIG. 15-8. The flash frequency of
caused by the lamp is negligible. a glow lamp in a relaxation circuit is
directly related to the impressed
voltage.
Toys and Bicycles
Toy trains. Lamps with miniature screw
bases
and a rated life of 250
hours are used most commonly in toy trains.
They are made with G-4^
or G-3^ bulbs for operation at 12, 14, and 18 volts. A few lamps have
been made with special bulbs resembling street
lights and these have been
used also on toy station platforms. For the scale model HO gauge trains,
6-, 12-, and 18-volt lamps with midget screw bases are available.
Doll houses and other toys. The preferred
method of lighting doll houses
is to connect 6-volt
T-lf midget screw-base lamps to a 6-volt, radio-tube-
filament transformer. Slightly larger lamps with G-3J
or
T-3J
bulbs or
even small automobile tail lamps also can be used. Multiple wiring is an
advantage as ordina^ bell wire is sufficiently
insulated for the purpose.
For small wheeled toys requiring two lamps, a 2.4-volt lamp drawing
0.22 ampere within an
FE-3f bulb is suitable. It employs a shallow, flat
end, enameled back bulb and has a current rating which should provide
long battery life even if two lamps are operated on two standard size D
cells.
Bicycles. Bicycle lamps should have a low watt rating in order that
the batteries on which they are operated may have a practical life. A
1.3-volt, 0.1-ampere lamp with a G-3| bulb and a miniature screw base is
suggested for bicycle taillights. A standard size D cell may be expected
to operate one of these lamps 20 to 25 hours. A taillight is considered more
essential than a headlight, though most bicycles which have only one use
a headlight. Many state laws pertaining to the subject specify the distance
the bicycle taillight is to be visible rather than an exact candlepower and
beam distribution.
Three watts is about the maximum load that can be added to the
bicycle without appreciably increasing the difficulty of pedaling.