Does anyone have a good one of these they would be willing to sell me, or point me in the direction of a supplier? It is a #550 bulb, the one I have was made by GE but other bulb makers made them. GM used them in dashboard maplights for many years and in many different car lines. I do not know the full range of cars and years but I know the '67 Pontiac used them and so did my '73 Caddy. They are flat on the ends and the filament wire comes out of each end of the bulb and is folded over into a groove on one side of the flat surface. I have searched the internet for a replacement to no avail, they are not even listed by internet sellers such as Bulbtown, and I have not found them on eBay. I have looked at hundreds of miniature bulbs on the internet in an attempt to find one that would at least work but no luck. If anyone has a stash I would like to buy 2 so I will have a spare, but just one would be a great find. Thanks.
Geoff
Geoff,
A couple of place;
http://www.pontiacparts.net/grandprix/page262.htm
http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/t.pl
Dons bulb is a bit $$$$ :(
Good luck..!
Thank you, Jag, I have already been to that Pontiac site and called them, while they list them they do not have them. I will keep Don's bulbs as a last resort.
We might have one (or two)
Region Bored meeting tonight so won't be home until later.
Thanks, CF!
I just looked in my stash too. No such thing. The one that I do have, has the connecters looped at the end that you would hang in the mid 70's door courtesy lights. Otherwise, it would be yours for the asking.
I have a place here called Lightbulbs Unlimited. Lemme take a peek there.
Here's a thought Geoff. Maybe with your vast talents you could modify the socket to accept a 194 bulb. You never stated the application and/or brightness needs.
Just thinking... :chin:
I did find out that it's called a 'rigid loop' bulb if that helps, but I'll keep on digging.
AFAIK it was only used for the purpose I stated, a dashboard maplight bulb. The 194 bulb will not work. I have been after this for a while, nothing even remotely resembling the 550 bulb will work for one reason or another. Thank you for your efforts though.
I did some digging, you did some digging and it just seems to be non-existant. I even searched under the guise of obsolete. I found bulbs for T's and A's, but not for your map light. I looked under the cars that you stated, even went out and looked at my own map light. No dice there, sir.
Gawd I hate to ask, but have you put it out there on the MoBo? That could be a source of last resort there.
Maybe CF will have something, but the MOBO is my next best bet.
Geoff, shoot me an email at russ85747@hotmail.com I should have some bulbs in the dash light assemblies I have. Ya pay the shipping, and they are yours.
Done! Thanks.
Geoff, the Caddi dash map lights I have have the round metal end caps. So sorry to get your hopes up. :trash computer: Better luck with CF.
Thank you very much for looking, Pyro.
Geoff
Geoff, I have a box full of bulbs from when I was in the mobile oil change business.
I was servicing ambulances so I have a whole bunch of different kinds of bulbs. Let
me check to see what I have.
Thank you, EZ.
I've got one with your name on it Geoff.
Wonderful! Thank you. Have check, will send. ;D
Buy me a :pepsi: in Boston and we're good.
Deal! Thank you again very much.
Geoff
Finally got here catching up. Those bulbs were also used quite extensively for dome lamps, with and without the caps on them. That may help in locating a new one. They may have a different number, but should work just fine. Different numbers usually relate to varying candlepower, so make sure that if you do find one it's not too bright because it may melt the lense.
Mike
Got a whole bunch with caps; some pointy, some stubby but only the one 550 bulb Geoff needs.
I've even pulled off the caps when in need.
Is the 550 bulb unique in length?
Mike
The 550 is of a 'bubble' design. I have all the ones that you're thinking of, but not, that one and only, 550.
Quote from: guidematic on April 20, 2013, 09:43:45 PM
I've even pulled off the caps when in need.
Is the 550 bulb unique in length?
Mike
I was wondering the same thing yesterday when I grabbed the one bulb on my way to work.
Here's the answer. :whoo-hoo:
I see.. :chin: We are thinking the same then.
Mike
Yep!!! Geoff's gonna owe me TWO :pepsi:
:rotfl:
:doh: This is getting expensive now.
Just think if it were me Geoff. You'd go into bankruptcy at The Captain's. :Muttley:
Indeed! ;D
Sorry Geoff. I have 795's, 797's, 890's 212's and a few others but no 550's. :doh:
Thanks for looking EZ. Thank goodness for CF's stash --- and Pepsi! ;D
Hi there! (new here). I've been looking for that #550 bulb for a week or so too and still need to try NAPA. It's for a '73 Eldorado convertible map light and I can't believe it's this difficult to find one.
Ueah, Geoff's was for the '73 Caribou. He had a hell of a time finding it.
They don't make them anymore and NAPA won't have one --- I hope you can prove me wrong. You might try some of the salvage yards that specialize in late '60s, and '70s, GM cars. GM used them in many if not all of their lines during that time frame but try to find one now! :No: I searched the internet for quite some time to no avail.
Mister Tudball, good to have you here! Welcome Aboard! :hi:
But you picked an odd place for your first post. :yes:
Mike
Just occurred to me. How many of the boards can newbies see Fins? I know the For Sale board is the only one seen by guests.
Mike
It depends on the settings Mike. CF processed him, so I didn't look.
I had posted about trying to find a #550 bulb on the Cadillac-Lasalle Club forum and was directed to this forum, which I was unaware of. Hence my first post being here.
Dave
Hmmm, I would have thought someone at the CLC forums would have one. That was going to be my last resort. Look for good used, new seems to be out of the question. I would check some of the vendors on Otto's list over at the Modified Chapter --- http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/forum/index.php --- titled,
NEW Huge List of Cadillac Parts Vendors
Currently the 5th topic down on the DISCUSSION page.
Good luck.
Actually, I'm still waiting for Denrep to find a box or two of new ones at one of the sales he goes to. ;D
:pool:
Quote from: Geoff on June 24, 2013, 01:23:46 PM
Actually, I'm still waiting for Denrep to find a box or two of new ones at one of the sales he goes to. ;D
:pool:
Prolly any day now....
Mike
Could the same bulb be in production under a different part #? :confused2:
Perhaps this site may be of some help.
http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/550~general-electric.html
GJ
Well, there you go! Good find. But $37 for a bulb about half the length of my little finger --- wow! :No:
Dave
You aren't anywhere near a salvage yard that might have some early 70s GM vehicles? I have a book which lists salvage yards all over the US.
I have one or two left but was saving them for our 'fleet' since we have a couple cars of the same era with the map light feature.
Howdy MTB :hi:
Doesn't seem possible. :scratchhead:
But I gotta take y'all's word for it. :confused2:
We have a pitchur of this thing?
From NAPA, I bought EVERY bulb for a '73 Eldo just a couple-few years ago.
Probly woulda been better off leaving the OEs in some of the locations. :censored:
There was one lamp delivered via slow-boat, but I think it was the side marker - not sure anymore. :chin:
I did figure out that not all new headlamps are compatible with the Optigrab, or whatever the optic-fiber lamp monitor gizzmo was called. Details should be easy to look up in the appropriate old thread.
---------
Edit - Ueagh, this backwards skim reader/poster just found the details posted earlier in this thread. :confused2:
Can we presume you found pics too?
I just bought two (in theory) #550 bulbs from RockAuto.com after being recommended there by members of a Corvair forum (I have one of those too). If it's wrong, I'm out six bucks including shipping. I'll let y'all know how it works out.
Went to my friendly NAPA today just because it's a beautiful convertible day and asked them about the bulb. Two dudes there and their computer were not sure what would work, so I left. But now I see a 561 and 562 that both look perfect. Looks can be deceiving?
Quote from: mistertudball on June 25, 2013, 08:52:25 PM. . . Looks can be deceiving?
'73 Eldo proved that.
:Muttley:
Quote from: mistertudball on June 25, 2013, 08:52:25 PM
I just bought two (in theory) #550 bulbs from RockAuto.com after being recommended there by members of a Corvair forum (I have one of those too). If it's wrong, I'm out six bucks including shipping. I'll let y'all know how it works out.
Went to my friendly NAPA today just because it's a beautiful convertible day and asked them about the bulb. Two dudes there and their computer were not sure what would work, so I left. But now I see a 561 and 562 that both look perfect. Looks can be deceiving?
:doh: Geeeez.
Maybe. What about precise dimensions? Not a lot of room for error here.
OK, humble me some more. I searched RockAuto for a 550 bulb and all I could get was ---
Search for Part # = '550' and Manufacturer = 'GE' and Part Type = 'Map Light Bulb'
Search for Part # = '550' and Manufacturer = 'GE' and Part Type = 'Courtesy Light Bulb'
Search for Part # = '550' and Manufacturer = 'GE' and Part Group = 'Electrical-Lamp & Socket'
No Parts Found
How and where at RockAuto did you find the bulb, or did you buy the last ones they had? :scratchhead:
A 562 will be too long.
On that, another number may physically fit, but may have a different candlepower rating. That could result in too much heat and a melted lense. So look closely at the specs when you swap numbers.
Have you seen the guys that replace the bulb (don't have the correct #) in the HMSL with an 1156? It almost always results in a melted lense and/or housing.
Mike
Well THAT was dastardly! I just checked RockAuto to find a link to the bulbs I bought, and clicked on the link to check on my order. It said they didn't have the bulbs and canceled the order. Good thing I didn't sit like a puppy dog watching my mailbox for weeks! And the hunt goes on!
[lightbox url=http://cadillacmisfits.com/gallery2/main.php/d/12293-1/CMF550Lamp.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=3bd6ae80c7492b19e1eb13195ecba6fc caption="CMF550Lamp" set=g2image](http://cadillacmisfits.com/gallery2/main.php/d/12295-2/CMF550Lamp.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=3bd6ae80c7492b19e1eb13195ecba6fc)[/lightbox]
Ueagh, what say the other numbers? :chin:
What about the door lamp bulbs? :chin: Same year. They have the metal caps on the end. If they were removed and the contacts bent over, would they work? Or like was noted, would the power be too high and bright, resulting in melting?
On another note, why not modify the housing to accept a different bulb that's readily available?
Quote from: Fins on June 26, 2013, 10:35:43 PM
What about the door lamp bulbs? :chin: Same year. They have the metal caps on the end. If they were removed and the contacts bent over, would they work? Or like was noted, would the power be too high and bright, resulting in melting?
On another note, why not modify the housing to accept a different bulb that's readily available?
Ueagh, I thoughta that too :scratchhead:
[lightbox url=http://cadillacmisfits.com/gallery2/main.php/d/12296-1/CMF550Lamp2.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=8d8247ea29e06b278efaa41468c39927 caption="CMF550Lamp2" set=g2image](http://cadillacmisfits.com/gallery2/main.php/d/12298-2/CMF550Lamp2.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=8d8247ea29e06b278efaa41468c39927)[/lightbox]
Probly workable, but not plug-N-play
Okay, what about spreading the contacts? Is it too much of a spread to sufficiently hold the door bulbs? I don't have a test mule here.
But I did get my new carpeting today. Nice. Good tight pile. Nothing like the junk ACC sent me a few years ago.
Quote from: Fins on June 26, 2013, 11:12:14 PM
Okay, what about spreading the contacts? Is it too much of a spread to sufficiently hold the door bulbs? I don't have a test mule here. . . .
Tends to want to "spit" the lamp out. The "V" of the terminal ideally needs a valley to rest in.
Probly workable, but the fixture terminals don't seem like they'd stand much in bending experiments.
Ueah, kind of delicate.
Quote from: mistertudball on June 26, 2013, 05:35:10 PM
Well THAT was dastardly! I just checked RockAuto to find a link to the bulbs I bought, and clicked on the link to check on my order. It said they didn't have the bulbs and canceled the order. Good thing I didn't sit like a puppy dog watching my mailbox for weeks! And the hunt goes on!
tudball,
Did you ever get your bulb?
Nope. A guy from RockAuto left me a voicemail that they didn't actually carry #550s anymore because they had been discontinued, but they still had one left in a warehouse ... and did I want it? YES! But when it arrived it was a Wagner Heavy Duty Flasher unit, stock number BP550. They refunded my money and don't want the flasher unit back (anyone need it?) so I'm still on the hunt.
Not sure if I'm correct on the flasher number, but the 550 was used for heavier applications or for trailer towing. The added trailer lights made the lighter weight flasher flash too fast.
The factory application for the '59 was to flash at 90 flashes per minute. The 550 makes it flash at 60 flashes per minute. But the more modern flasher makes both dash arrows flash. The exterior lights work correctly, just the dash light were wrong, whereas the factory unit lets everything work as intended.
Look at it MTB. Is it a 2 or 3 leg flasher
tud
I'll dig around tomorrow and see if I can find one for you.
Maybe Mrs. HWiggins can find some. :Muttley:
Fins: It's a three-prong flasher.
Car Freak: Thanks for any help!
Excruiserguy: Mrs. A'whiggans is actually my spousal unit's nickname. Decades ago she filled in at my office as receptionist for a few days and her desk was right outside my office. I heard a call come in that was for me, heard her put it on hold (those old phones with the light-up plastic buttons along the bottom) and she's trying to intercom me going "helloooooo hellooooo" and I said something like "Pusha da button, Mrs. A'Whiggans, push da button!" The names stuck.
I'm confused. is this a bulb, or a flasher canister thats being discussed.
A flasher canister now. ;D
Quote from: pyro on July 06, 2013, 04:10:36 PM
I'm confused. is this a bulb, or a flasher canister thats being discussed.
Both.
RockAuto sent a 550 flasher unit instead of the bulb.
:hijack: The bulb got boring, so we moved to flashers instead. :rotfl:
:flasher:
Will you quit posting pics of me on the public forum? :speechless:
Deb dared me to. :icon_OO: