Just a few pics, and thoughts on fluorescent lighting

Evening gentlemen. I've been happy with the outcome of my NSM Festival. Finished one of the remaining items to complete it, installing a fluorescent tube. (last thing remaining, is a key on its way to me for the lid locks)

Any concerns with jukeboxes running, with the fluorescent light always lit? Looks great in a dark room of course, but if juke running during day in a lit room, it's almost pointless being lit up. Have been thinking of putting a switch in to turn off the light by choice.

Here it is finally lit up

Tim

Tim: I think the lights are at least half the fun. I usually light up a couple jukes whenever I'm home whether I'm playing them or not. They were made to be left on for extended periods of time, so barring any electrical problems there should not be any problem with leaving them on. There's a certain satisfaction at seeing these once-dead time capsules shining in all their gaudy glory, day or night. An Ipod will never look that cool.
Patrick

I have to agree with Patrick most jukeboxes look better for being lit and with the design on that NSM the lights bring it to life.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Thanks guys! Just always cautious with anything electrical on for extended periods of time. Had some trouble sourcing bulb/tube, seems the true measurement is a 29" tube, which isn't readily available. (searches seem to come up frequent in UK) Had ordered a 28" online from local source, and managed to get it to work adding an inch of spacers on one of the brackets.

Tim

Tim, and All,
Lamps are measured from tip to tip, of the metal contact pins. 28" and 30", T-8 lamps are available--never saw a 29" ?
One caution--be sure that any lamp is wired so that it is in the fused circuit !! I have seen "people, wire around" the fused circuits as they just want the lights, themselves on--not the jukebox. Also, ballast "mounting" should be checked, every once in awhile, to be sure it's still providing proper insulation, from the wood in the cabinet.
Ron Rich

Thanks Ron. Yes, certainly odd, when I measured for what it should be pin to pin, seems it is 29". I had ordered initially a 30" and it was too long, ordered 28" and definitely an inch too short. Luckily I could work this in with spacers. None of the wiring in the juke has been touched, all original configuration, so should be good there.

Tim

Tim, back in the late 80s - mid-90s I had several machines in the a few rooms here. In the living room was a V, two 1800s, a 222, Continental and a R-O 1465. My approach was to run a line for each just for the lights and place them on a switch box and timer. Since everyone here enjoyed them lighted, the light could cycle on w/out wasting electricity on the power supplies when i wasn't home.

Rob/NYC