Blinking warning light bulbs
05-25-2016, 11:58 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
If you have a NAPA store near you, then you have a FLAPS near you.
05-26-2016, 02:40 AM
#22
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Well, I Googled FLAPS which came up as: Friendly Local Auto Parts Store. So I guess that FLAPS is an acronym (which I wasn't unaware of) pertaining to ANY local parts store of which there are many in my area.
That said, it would be extremely helpful if, when someone referrers to their local FLAPS, that they include the specific parts STORE they received they're parts from.
I mean there's O'Reilly's, Pep Boys, AutoZone, NAPA, the list goes on and on!
They don't all carry the same items so, it would be quite helpful and save a lot of time and effort to at least indicate WHICH "FLAPS" that they procured their part.
Gary
That said, it would be extremely helpful if, when someone referrers to their local FLAPS, that they include the specific parts STORE they received they're parts from.
I mean there's O'Reilly's, Pep Boys, AutoZone, NAPA, the list goes on and on!
They don't all carry the same items so, it would be quite helpful and save a lot of time and effort to at least indicate WHICH "FLAPS" that they procured their part.
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; 05-26-2016 at 02:43 AM.
05-26-2016, 07:18 AM
#23
Team Owner
If you can apply any steady 12V DC source to the bulb contacts (alligator clips, test lead tips) the light should light steady, and, as it warms up -- flash. The trick is keeping contact fumbling around out-of-the-socket long enough...
To see the dash "LIGHT" bulb blink when installed you would have to turn on the headlights and keep the doors closed long enough to warm up the dash bulb. Otherwise, it only briefly lights up steadily as the headlight buckets transition through their movement.
To see the dash "LIGHT" bulb blink when installed you would have to turn on the headlights and keep the doors closed long enough to warm up the dash bulb. Otherwise, it only briefly lights up steadily as the headlight buckets transition through their movement.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 05-26-2016 at 07:58 AM.
05-26-2016, 08:43 AM
#24
Le Mans Master
Gary
my thought is that when someone says check your FLAPS they mean that any such store will have the item since it is commonsly sold by any of them. If they have found that only one place, say NAPA, sells it, then they would say check NAPA.
my thought is that when someone says check your FLAPS they mean that any such store will have the item since it is commonsly sold by any of them. If they have found that only one place, say NAPA, sells it, then they would say check NAPA.
05-26-2016, 12:11 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
While I've seen a "FLAPS" mentioned many times over the years I just thought it was an auto parts chain. 
Kinda reminds me of a James Bond movie except, with a dopey acronym for the bad guys. 
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; 05-26-2016 at 12:37 PM.
05-26-2016, 04:17 PM
#26
Team Owner
05-26-2016, 05:44 PM
#27
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
05-26-2016, 05:48 PM
#28
Team Owner
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If he finds a auto parts store I will be truly surprised.
05-26-2016, 05:51 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
05-26-2016, 05:53 PM
#30
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05-26-2016, 06:02 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
If you can apply any steady 12V DC source to the bulb contacts (alligator clips, test lead tips) the light should light steady, and, as it warms up -- flash. The trick is keeping contact fumbling around out-of-the-socket long enough...
To see the dash "LIGHT" bulb blink when installed you would have to turn on the headlights and keep the doors closed long enough to warm up the dash bulb. Otherwise, it only briefly lights up steadily as the headlight buckets transition through their movement.
To see the dash "LIGHT" bulb blink when installed you would have to turn on the headlights and keep the doors closed long enough to warm up the dash bulb. Otherwise, it only briefly lights up steadily as the headlight buckets transition through their movement.
I'm just going to wait till tomorrow when the cluster is out then try them and the other two (257A) bulbs I found and see what happens. Worse case scenario I'll have two non blinking lights, as I did before but, lights none the less as warnings that the E brakes are on or buckets aren't up.
Gary
05-26-2016, 06:20 PM
#32
Race Director
I tried that using a 1.5 amp 12v trickle charger. They light up but don't blink, even after a good minute or so.
I'm just going to wait till tomorrow when the cluster is out then try them and the other two (257A) bulbs I found and see what happens. Worse case scenario I'll have two non blinking lights, as I did before but, lights none the less as warnings that the E brakes are on or buckets aren't up.
Gary
I'm just going to wait till tomorrow when the cluster is out then try them and the other two (257A) bulbs I found and see what happens. Worse case scenario I'll have two non blinking lights, as I did before but, lights none the less as warnings that the E brakes are on or buckets aren't up.
Gary
Do your bulbs look like this?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-PCS-GE-257...xXMhXK&vxp=mtr
The #257 blinking bulb has a unique filament that open and closes with temperature to provide the blinking feature.
NAPA may still have some old stock. Also Ebay and any hobby store that sells parts for old Lionel trains.
Larry
05-26-2016, 08:50 PM
#33
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It will fit in any socket that has a gray wire Plug it in and see what it does
05-26-2016, 08:55 PM
#34
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
05-26-2016, 08:56 PM
#35
Team Owner
I just looked at a 51 year old blub from my 65
GE
257
GE
257
05-26-2016, 09:00 PM
#36
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Gary:
Do your bulbs look like this?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-PCS-GE-257...xXMhXK&vxp=mtr
The #257 blinking bulb has a unique filament that open and closes with temperature to provide the blinking feature.
NAPA may still have some old stock. Also Ebay and any hobby store that sells parts for old Lionel trains.
Larry
Do your bulbs look like this?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-PCS-GE-257...xXMhXK&vxp=mtr
The #257 blinking bulb has a unique filament that open and closes with temperature to provide the blinking feature.
NAPA may still have some old stock. Also Ebay and any hobby store that sells parts for old Lionel trains.
Larry
It's a bit of a challenge to make out the filaments in the eBay photos.
Here's what the guy at NAPA sold me yesterday. He swore that they blink.
Gary
The bulb on the left is the one I bought at NAPA yesterday.
05-26-2016, 09:25 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, I'm kinda "under the gun" to get this done tomorrow. That's why I was trying to find them at a "FLAPS" (now that I know what the hell that stands for
) as I basically only have someone to give me a hand on Friday and (possibly) Saturday.Oh well, if they work they work if not, I'll just use the non blinking ones that we put in last time.
Gary
05-26-2016, 09:33 PM
#39
Race Director
If you continue to have issues, let me know and I will send you two (2) original type #257 bulbs made in the USA from back in the 1970's. They are old Westinghouse bulbs. They work just as good as the GE in my opinion. I have tested them. They WILL blink correctly. No cost. Just PM me if you have issues and need them.
Larry
05-27-2016, 12:06 AM
#40
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
They look "right" although perhaps not as robust a filament as the original #257 blinking bulbs that I know. See how they work out for you.
If you continue to have issues, let me know and I will send you two (2) original type #257 bulbs made in the USA from back in the 1970's. They are old Westinghouse bulbs. They work just as good as the GE in my opinion. I have tested them. They WILL blink correctly. No cost. Just PM me if you have issues and need them.
Larry
If you continue to have issues, let me know and I will send you two (2) original type #257 bulbs made in the USA from back in the 1970's. They are old Westinghouse bulbs. They work just as good as the GE in my opinion. I have tested them. They WILL blink correctly. No cost. Just PM me if you have issues and need them.
Larry
I'm sure you're quite right since, they say China on them.
Thanks, that's a VERY generous offer.
I'll definitely keep it in mind. Gary