Help Needed - Wiring a Lamp
Dec 30, 2016 14:28:21 #
A friend gave me an old hurricane lamp to rewire. When I say old, I'm not exaggerating. She's about 80, and this lamp belonged to her grandmother. There is a standard light socket in the top with a three-way switch. In the bottom, there is a smaller bulb, like a nightlight. The three-way switch should turn on one, then the other, then both.
I had to order a three-way/three-terminal socket because no one local had one. My problem is figuring how to connect the two wires from the little nightlight bulb in the bottom globe. Wiring the main switch is a no-brainer, but I can't find anything online about wiring the little bulb.
Suggestions?
I had to order a three-way/three-terminal socket because no one local had one. My problem is figuring how to connect the two wires from the little nightlight bulb in the bottom globe. Wiring the main switch is a no-brainer, but I can't find anything online about wiring the little bulb.
Suggestions?
Dec 30, 2016 14:58:00 #
Dec 30, 2016 15:34:36 #
d2b2 wrote:
Can you provide a photo of what you are doing?
A photo?! What is this, a photography forum?!
I suspect the small light will be connected somehow inside the brass base, since the wires don't reach all the way up to the switch.
Dec 30, 2016 16:42:17 #
I have a similar lamp however it's 500 yrs younger --- I would emulate my similar but much newer lamp --- set the lamp with 2 switches -- one for the main light & one for the separate night light
Dec 30, 2016 17:38:38 #
ken_stern wrote:
I have a similar lamp however it's 500 yrs younger --- I would emulate my similar but much newer lamp --- set the lamp with 2 switches -- one for the main light & one for the separate night light
A possibility.
Dec 31, 2016 07:44:05 #
Hi Jerryc41,
Hard to tell much from the photograph, but would think:- why would you need both lights on together?
Suggest connect live feed to common point on switch and then one lamp to each of the other two switch connections. Lights then switched individually.
Find common switch connection if not known by trial and error.
Hope this helps you - from across the pond.
Must say I enjoy reading your posts (and others of course)
kpx
Hard to tell much from the photograph, but would think:- why would you need both lights on together?
Suggest connect live feed to common point on switch and then one lamp to each of the other two switch connections. Lights then switched individually.
Find common switch connection if not known by trial and error.
Hope this helps you - from across the pond.
Must say I enjoy reading your posts (and others of course)
kpx
Dec 31, 2016 07:57:15 #
Jerry, as a retired electrician, I concur with 'kpx100', but to make sure, I would have to see a close-up photo of the terminals of the switch.
Dec 31, 2016 08:31:25 #
Can't you follow the original wiring only difference is you now have 3 wires with the extra wire being the common which I think also connects to main feed. Gud luck with a very nice old lamp.
Dec 31, 2016 08:39:50 #
[quote=jerryc41]A photo?! What is this, a photography forum?!
Nice photo. I just wanted to see if you could do it...!
I agree that simply replicating the way it was originally wired is the best way to go. Is there no way to do that?
That is a nice, vintage lamp! I understand the interest in updating it.
Nice photo. I just wanted to see if you could do it...!
I agree that simply replicating the way it was originally wired is the best way to go. Is there no way to do that?
That is a nice, vintage lamp! I understand the interest in updating it.
Dec 31, 2016 09:07:41 #
troutbum wrote:
Can't you follow the original wiring only difference is you now have 3 wires with the extra wire being the common which I think also connects to main feed. Gud luck with a very nice old lamp.
I don't know the original writing connections.
Dec 31, 2016 09:09:31 #
jsmangis wrote:
Jerry, as a retired electrician, I concur with 'kpx100', but to make sure, I would have to see a close-up photo of the terminals of the switch.
Your wish is my command. I think this article has what I want in the last example, but the diagram is worthless to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-way_lamp
Dec 31, 2016 09:21:42 #
If I knew how to do it I would share it with you. good luck, let us know how it turns out.
Dec 31, 2016 09:38:28 #
I guess u did not take the lamp apart which is a shame, as we being photographers we can take pictures of the original to aid in reassembly. Gud luck
Dec 31, 2016 09:46:23 #
Dec 31, 2016 09:58:23 #
Hi Jerryc41,
Still think it is a live and two switch wires looking at the switch. Guessing the middle one is likely to be the feed and the others the switch wires to the lamps, but some switches may differ.
Good luck
Still think it is a live and two switch wires looking at the switch. Guessing the middle one is likely to be the feed and the others the switch wires to the lamps, but some switches may differ.
Good luck
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