Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Title: Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?
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Date Posted：09/21/2013 06:50:14Copy HTML

GE used to sell sets of 4 C7 Christmas tree light replacement bulbs. I think they might have been branded "Cool Bright" or something like that.

Each set contained one each of red, green, blue and rare yellow-orange.

I would even call that last color a yellow-yellow-orange. It gave off such warm and cozy glow on a dark winter night.

Sadly, GE stopped marketing those C7 lamps, and I've been unable to find that same color lamp anywhere since.

A few years ago I did came across some of those GE four packs in a bin of odds and ends at a liquidation store here in Seattle. They were selling them for only 25 cents a set! So off course I snapped up what few they had left. But they didn't have many. :(

But over the years since then the bulbs have been burning-out one by one, and now I only have a handful left.

In my autumn pre-Christmas decorating I screw orange and those yellow-orange lamps into my C7 Christmas light strings to set the mood for Halloween.

This year I looked in my boxes of C7 lamps and was disappointed at how few of those yellow-yellow-orange bulbs have survived.

Does anyone here have any ideas on where I might look for C7 light bulbs in that impossible to find yellow-yellow-orange color?

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/21/2013 08:58:22Copy HTML

Will, I know the GE bulbs you're talking about - we use them in our windows candles (or at least we did). My wife purchased some orange colored ones on ebay last year. It's worth checking there, especially if they've been discontinued. 

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/22/2013 01:16:35Copy HTML

Thanks, Anthony!

eBay, here I come!

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/22/2013 01:41:17Copy HTML

Will,

I remember those bulbs myself, and I also remember the C6 bulbs.  eBay is a good place to start, but they are often on the expensive side, and the vendor will usually state that they "have no way of testing them, but they look like they are brand new with no paint loss."

I remember pinks and yellows, and the red, green, blue and oranges were much purer in color back when I was a youngster.  They just don't make them like they used to.

If you find any on eBay, you could message the vendor, and there is a way to test the bulbs using a 9-Volt battery, they just have to place the bulb between the contacts of the battery, one part of the bulb, where the solder is and the threaded part and they can test them on the battery.  It doesn't matter which way they try it on the battery because if the bulb is good, it will light up.  It might not be as bright as if it was in a string of lights, but it will at least give off a glow.

I find them to be very expensive though, and I could kick myself for not stocking up on them before they stopped making them in the late 1970's.  I really love the C6 lights, and I have purchased some from eBay and maybe 35 out of 50 worked.  So I really wasted $30.00.  They were in the 4-pack boxes too and some loose ones.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/22/2013 02:47:27Copy HTML

Yes!  Pink!  

And violet!

I once had one solitary bulb of each color some decades ago.

I wonder if those colors were banned from import because the chemicals used to produce those colors didn't meet some standard or other.

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/22/2013 06:18:15Copy HTML

This is where I get my C bulbs now. I don't know if they'll be the color you're looking for or not, but they definitely have the holiday crazies in mind. 

I don't think you specified whether these were frosted or clear bulbs that you're looking for though, so maybe this is of no use. But they do have pink and purple.

http://www.christmas-light-source.com/C7-Bulbs-_c_139.html

The triple-dipped bulbs are pretty new, and I can't wait to see how they look. This was added because some folks were wanting richer colors.

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/22/2013 11:15:44Copy HTML

GE Cool Brights were C7 bulbs that were transparent and steady-burning.

GE Merry Brights were C9 bulbs that were transparent and steady-burning.

GE Twinkle Brights (first known as Merry Twinkle) were C7 and C9 bulbs that were transparent and blinked.

GE Satin Brights (and another product, Satin Glo) were C7 bulbs that were opaque (frosted) and steady-burning.

GE Glow Brights were C7 and C9 bulbs that were opaque (frosted) and steady-burning.

GE never manufactured Pink or Violet colored C7 or C9 bulbs. As for C6 bulbs, GE did make a Pink at one time, but I have never seen a Violet.

And that is correct, Susan; GE discontinued the manufacturing of C6 bulbs in the late 1970s (1977 in fact).

These great indoor and outdoor "C" series screw-base Christmas lights were far
 superior to the miniature lights of today. Even with a reflector (which
 you can't even find today) the miniature lights just don't pack near 
the same punch as the C7 and C9 lights that we grew up with. It's 
another great tradition that has sadly gone to pot.

By the way, regarding triple-dipped bulbs, Chris; I purchased C7 twinkles in the past and they were much too dark.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 03:35:04Copy HTML

Huh, and all this time, I thought the "Cool brights" name was meant to imply that they generated light with considerably less heat. 

Pity about the triple-dipped C-7's 

And I agree that the C-bulbs will produce far more light than miniatures. They also cast very interesting shadows that are fun to look at, especially with twinkle bulbs.

As for older mini lights though, I'm not sure if it's true that they weren't as bright as C bulbs. I think the lack of brightness is due to 'energy efficient' lights. Not just LED's (bleh), but even modern incandescent. 

I just bought some mini lights from the 70's with tulip reflectors, because I remembered having them in the 80's and those were really REALLY bright. I also remembered that they were hot enough to make you flinch if you weren't careful while stringing them up. While testing the ones I just bought, I discovered that the wires had gotten so hot that they partially melted their way through the reflectors in a couple places. Wow.

I'd have to look at the specs again, but I think the wattage per bulb was about 3x as much as mini lights you'd find at Walmart today.

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 05:17:53Copy HTML

Yes, that was exactly the idea behind the Cool Bright name: they were bright but burned much cooler than their opaque (frosted) Satin Bright/Glow Bright predecessors.

As for the comparison of C6, C7 and C9 lights to modern-day miniature lights -- there is none.
 And it doesn't matter if they're miniatures from the 1960s, '70s, '80s,
 '90s, and so on and so forth. They do not hold a candle to the original
 and superior screw-based "C' series lights. They just don't have the 
warmth, charm, power, presence, punch or radiance.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 03:33:41Copy HTML

Thanks for that photo of the plugged-in string of C7s on the carpet, Chip.  

I'm sure that image has a nostalgic glow for everyone in this group.  It sure does for me.

As usual, Chip, with your encyclopedic memory, you nailed the correct name for those C7 bulb four packs.  I just dug around in my box of Christmas lights and unearthed one of the cardboard four pack bulb holders, and sure enough, it's labeled "Glow Bright."  And it still has the ".25" dayglo orange price sticker on it.

As for those triple-dipped bulbs, they might be just the ticket for me to use as pilot lights on my power strips to remind me to turn them off at bedtime and when I go out.  I plug in a simple nightlight lamp socket into one of the outlets on each of my power strips. 

I plug all my electronics, like computers, stereos, TV, etc., into power strips and only turn them on when I need to use them.  I figure it saves me a few cents on my electric bills.  So much electronic equipment these days is programmed to remain in a "stand by" mode, after you turn it off.  So it just sits there consuming electricity when it's supposedly off.

I suspect that the amount of electricity I use to power the C7 pilot lights on the power strips may actually be using up more electricity than I end up saving by turning off the power strips when the equipment is not in use.

What do you think?

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 05:35:04Copy HTML

I loved the Satin-Brights, and a few years back, K-Mart came out with a set of 7 or different colors in C7 and C9, and they looked OK until you plugged them in.  You could see the filament inside the bulbs, and I was so disappointed that I wasted money on about 35 packages of both because I had 150 outdoor C9's and the rest were C7's that I used on my tree and what a waste of money.  They only carried them for 2 years.

There is a site that I believe actually manufactures strings and bulbs like the older styles from the 50's and 60's.  I can't find them anymore, ,but here is another site where they have Incandescent C7's and C9's in Solid Colors or Clear.  They also have LED's and fuses and other things.  But I wish I could find the site I was looking for because they sold incandescent C6's and I believe also manufactured replacement strings.

http://www.christmaslightingsupply.com/shop-online/incandescent-bulbs/14

Here are 2 pictures of some of the C7's from K-Mart.  The C9's were worse when lit, but they are in a box buried in the back of my closet but the C7's were easy access.  I could only find 4 of them, but there were other colors in each box of 7 or 8.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 09:34:45Copy HTML

Will:

If you're going to use a C7 as a pilot light on your power-strips, then you're better off using a Cool Bright, as it will burn cooler and use less energy that a Glow Bright. And a double-dipped bulb would be a better choice than a triple-dipped bulb, as a double-dipped will be darker than a single-dipped, but not as dark as a triple-dipped.

Susan:

Yes, those knock-off Satin Bright lights that K-Mart was peddling a few years back were a big disappointment. Too bad you couldn't return them.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：09/23/2013 10:04:09Copy HTML

I wish I could have returned them, but it was too late, and I had already changed all of the C9's on my porch and was risking my life because it was rotted through and held up my long board wedged into the ground to hold the roof of the downstairs porch up with was actually our porch, and the railing were the wrought iron type, and it was way too cold to go back out and change them.  So I live and learned.  K-Mart usually has a string of their different lights on the trees, or a power outlet near where the lights are so you can test them, but they didn't have any when I saw them.  I just thought they looked so nice and were someone similar to the GE ones that I bought up what I needed and when I had replaced all the bulbs both outside and inside, it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to put the old bulbs back in the cord set, so I just left them.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/01/2013 04:31:49Copy HTML

Good afternoon everyone.

 The information on this thread is correct but I would add one point about the Kmart satin bulbs. They were only sold for about 3 years in the early 2000s.
The reason they are dimmer is because these bulbs were 5 watts to conform to modern safety standards,  while the original GE Satin Bright was 7 watts .
Perhaps that's why GE discontinued satin bright in 1977 after the new standard came out.

I have several cartons of the Kmart bulbs, and while they are not exactly the same, it's close enough. They have a metallic shine and turn transparent when lit like the old GE bulbs did.

Here is an LED type satin bulb from christmastopia. 
I have not tried them yet so I can't say how good they are. Again, you have to take what you can get nowadays.

Also I have seen true yellow bulbs (not orange!) at various internet stores. If you look hard at the local home improvement store you can find pink night light bulbs nearly identical to the ones made many years ago. 

J.S.Pilliteri
Webmaster, The Yule lights collection

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/02/2013 01:39:35Copy HTML

I've noticed that the C7 nightlight clear bulbs are getting harder and harder to find in 7-watts, but I have seen them at Dollar Tree.  Most stores now are selling only 4-watts.  I've tried the clear C7 LED nightlight bulbs, but they really didn't light up the room enough to see your way around and they were pretty intense just where the bulb was.

It's a shame that they have to ruin things and make the bulbs less bright.  Of course, 4-watts does save a bit on electricity than 7-watts, but at Christmas, who cares.  Most people go so far overboard with their lighting displays, their electric bills are going to be sky high to begin with.  But yes, the 4-watt glass incandescent Christmas light bulbs just aren't as nice as the 7-watt bulbs.

I occasionally will stock up on them from eBay, but I know I am taking a chance that a lot of them might not work or will burn out in the one season.  But if that is the only way to get the better bulbs, that is what I have to do.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, there was a website that actually made C6, C7, and C9's and even the strings with sockets for them, but either I lost the link, or they are gone and the link is dead so I deleted the link.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/02/2013 07:29:39Copy HTML

Susan:

Perhaps the shop you are thinking of was Lionsden Holiday Lighting. They were the go to place for vintage lights and bubble lights.
The shop went out of business about 2 years ago because the owner, Paul Shofeld, is in declining health.
You can still find other people selling old Lionsden stock on ebay for outrageous prices!

Found a supplier that sells true 7 watt ceramic C7 size bulbs. They can be found at Bulbman.com
Just read carefully they sell 5 and 7 watt bulbs.

JSP

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/03/2013 01:33:54Copy HTML

Thank you,

That name doesn't sound familiar to me, so it was probably another company.  I didn't have time to go though each link I have saved, but there is still a chance that the company isn't around any more, and I deleted the link.

Thanks again for the link.  I will look over their site when I have more time.  I still have a few parts to some 60+ year old bubble lights, but the bulbs themselves were long since burned out.  I think the last one burned out in 1974.  I don't even remember the company they came from, but I bought them at a thrift store when I was a teenager and it's possible they were made by NOMA, being that was a popular brand in the area I was living back them for what people where donating to thrift stores.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/03/2013 02:17:59Copy HTML

Hi Susan!

Years ago I found a web page that gave instructions for how to replace the light bulbs in those old bubble lights.

As I recall the trick was to place the lamp housing in the freezer.

For some reason that made it easier to pop it open without cracking the plastic.

Let me see if I can find that page (if it still exists)...

Found it!

http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/faqs.htm

The info is near the bottom of the page under the heading:

IS IT 
      POSSIBLE TO GET MY BURNT OUT BUBBLE LIGHTS TO SHINE AGAIN? HOW? 

You can just search for the word "freezer" in the page.

Have any of you ever tried this trick?

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/04/2013 05:13:28Copy HTML

Hi Will,

I remember the C6 Bubble Lights I had would sometimes get so hot that they would melt the plastic around the bulb and then the glass tubes would be tilted.  I believe they were glued in with rubber cement.  The bulbs themselves were clear and flat on top so that the tubes could rest on them and get the most heat possible from the bulb to make the oil or whatever was inside them boil/bubble.

I also remember that you could change the top and bottom of the plastic and mix and match colors, but I think they have to be glued together once you separated them.  It's hard to remember for sure being it was in the early 1970's, and being I only have maybe 4 or 5 pieces of what I used to have, I can't really remember for sure.

I don't like the new Bubble Lights, but I believe they are C7's, though I don't know if they are 4, 5 or 7 watt bulbs as I never really looked at the boxes.  I just knew they were too large compared to the ones I had and, if I seem them on eBay and I can afford them I will bid and hope I win. 

Another type of bulb I liked was the GE Lighted Ice Cool Burning Bulbs.  They were also called Snowball Iced Lamps, and I believe they were C7's.

Here is a picture of some of the GE ones.

Another thing I liked was these plastic things that went over the C7 bulbs in the Candelabras that were like a Halo and gave a nice effect to the lights in the windows.

These aren't the exact ones, but are similar.  The there was an actual hole in the base and you inserted the bulb in the hole and that held the Halo in place and it diffused the lights and gave them a nice glow.  The ones I am thinking of were more opaque.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/07/2013 08:25:34Copy HTML

My wife has a few candelabras that have those clear halo pieces encircling the bulbs and we love them. Very old school and a unique effect. I don't think they're frosted (guessing that's the word you were going for) though, just clear, like the ones you have pictured.

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/08/2013 03:25:11Copy HTML

Are they the same one in my picture?  or, are they the ones that a more opaque?  I really loved the opaque ones as they gave a nice glow to the candelabras and even the individual candles.

I am including some pictured of the GE C7 Satin Bright bulbs, I had take 2 pictures with my camera but one is blurry as I tried to capture the GE Logo, and then I ended up scanning them the pick one looks almost new, but the green one has paint chips in it.

These are blurry, and you can barely make out the GE Logo.

This is a bit better, but I didn't have the GE Logo facing the camera

These I actually did with my scanner and you can see the GE Logo on the pink one and the paint chips on the green one.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/10/2013 07:19:18Copy HTML

For some reason I thought you were referring to the halo inserts being frosted. Those were perfectly clear acrylic on mine.

The bulbs on my candelabras are regular frosted ones. I don't think I've ever owned anything that used Satin Brights. I'm rather curious as to what they would look like next to standard frosted bulbs. From what I know of 'pearlized' finishes, I can't imagine them having much impact on how a light looks while turned on, because those finishes are more effective at reflecting light in interesting ways, not refracting/diffusing it.

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/10/2013 02:24:09Copy HTML

Sorry for the confusion, I will try to clarify.

The pink and green bulbs I posted were the GE Satin Bright bulbs that Chip had mentioned.  The reason I posted them was to try and show that something that is over 40+ years that are burned out can still look like they are almost new, because vendors on eBay that are selling vintage C6, C6 an C9's state that they have no way of testing them, but they look like they are new with no paint loss.

I was trying to imply that doesn't mean that they will actually work just because they look new.

As for the Halo that went over the C7 Candelabra bulbs, I found 2 better pictures to use for examples and they gave a nice effect to the bulbs.  The second picture doesn't give off the glow I am referring to being the person who took the picture did it in daylight or with indoor lights on, but at night, in a window they really did give off a nice glow to the bulbs.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/22/2013 05:59:38Copy HTML

There are some replacement  C7 bulbs available here:  http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Orton_Specialties/New_This_Season/C7_Replacement_Bulbs_(Set_of_5_Boxes)/H4172
or some new strands of lights: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Orton_Specialties/New_This_Season/C7_Christmas_Lights/64462?eVar24=64462&eVar21=often+purchased+with&eVar20=H4172

Hope this is of some help!  :)

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/23/2013 02:35:56Copy HTML

Thank you  Jinglero,

I called The Vermont Country Store, and unfortunately they are only 5-Watts.  It is getting harder and harder to fine the 7-Watters nowadays.  So, it looks like we will have to pay extremely high prices on eBay and take a change that they will or will not work.

Such a shame that you can't get something that has been a Christmas staple for over 50 years anymore.  The light strings are also 5-Watts.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/23/2013 03:28:40Copy HTML

Those halo light attachments are gorgeous, Susan!
 
Does anybody sell those these days?

What would I search for on the web?  Do you know of any brand names or product names?

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/23/2013 06:50:14Copy HTML

Will,

I haven't seen them in windows since the 1960's, but there are some available on eBay from time to time.  That is where I got the pictures from,  the last 2 pictures are the actual ones I was referring to in my initial post, but only was able to find some with frost on them.

They really did give a nice glow to the lights especially when you could see them from outside is the windows.  I don't even see them show up in thrift stores.  I do see the single, triple candelabras and I was even fortunate to find a 5 light last year.  There were 2 of them at a thrift store, and 1 had a box, but was missing a bulb or 2, so they had one on display and swapped it for me, but unfortunately the one they swapped didn't fit the box but it was close.  I was a little upset but I didn't notice that it didn't fit the box because they took the one that was missing bulbs out of the box and put the box in a bag, and then got the display set and just put it in the bag too, so I didn't find out until I got home that it wasn't the same manufacturer.  I like to have the boxes with vintage decorations, as it just make the item complete, and it gives me something to put it away in.

I believe that I searched under Collectibles then Holiday & Seasonal or Seasonal Holiday, and then Modern, 46 - 90.

{EDITED by Christmas Always to add something else}

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/23/2013 09:45:11Copy HTML

So, what do you call those halo thingies?

What search terms would you suggest I use on eBay?

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/24/2013 01:43:31Copy HTML

Will,

I don't know their official name because I believe they actually came out during the 1940's or 1950's, but I couldn't say for sure.  I just called the "Light Halo's" and when I searched, several things came up, such as a lighted angel with a halo, but I eventually found a couple of auctions that had the pictures I posted of them.  Though again, I am not sure what time period they are from, or what they are officially called.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/24/2013 03:04:19Copy HTML

Thanks, Susan!

I tried a Google search and on the first page of results I found these on eBay:

Vintage Christmas Lights Halo for C7 
But they are marked "Sold" 

Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/24/2013 12:36:34Copy HTML

Wow,
$20.50 for 5 of them.  I didn't think they would go for that much.  I'm sure they will show up from time to time, but they will be on the expensive side.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：10/29/2013 05:34:13Copy HTML

You're welcome Susan :) I'm sorry they were not the correct wattage :(

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：12/06/2013 01:54:33Copy HTML

Hm, Susan, don't know why this didn't dawn on me before, but I just realized that though I've never used Satin brights, I have used a bulb that has a very similar effect. Pearl 'globe' lights, one of my two favorite types of mini lights. They have a similar finish and have a nearly identical diffused glow when you look at them. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-PEARL-GLOBE-BULB-WHITE-BLUE-LIGHTS-GREEN-WIRE-CHRISTMAS-NEVER-USED-/380786445290?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a8a40bea

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：12/06/2013 02:22:44Copy HTML

Thank you for the info,  I have seen them before, I just didn't care for the style/shape.  I really don't even like the mini-lights on my pre-lit tree, but I can't do anything about them.  I have in the past not even plugged in the pre-lit and used several strings of vintage C7's.  I just like the larger lights, but it is getting harder and harder to find them in 7-watts as I have mentioned before.

I really would love to have tree fully lit by the Satin-Bright light bulbs, but they are hard to find on eBay and then end up being expensive.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：12/25/2013 03:14:21Copy HTML

Yeow!  This is incredible information. 

I miss those lights.  The string on the front porch were huge bulbs.  At least as a kid, the looked huge to me.  

Could someone share with me how (back then) they were "plugged into" an electrical outlet? I don't recall our porch having any electric sockets. And I am assuming the cords (back then) had some kind of protective coating so they were resistant to water/snow.  

Or not? 

Were we all in jeopardy of being shocked dragging our snow sleds over them to dry off on the porch from a day's work up and down the sidewalks?

The porch always was so dark when they were taken down after New Year's. 

Hey Chip!  I heard that Kresge's and Woolworth's tried to out bid each other on your stash of GE Christmas Lights!  When the 30 Rock burns a bulb, they call you for a replacement (30 Rock...the "GE" Building)  timpany-ting 

Christmas Always, those are the most clean, well kept, and amazing Halo Lights.  My goodness lots of TLC has gone into that set.  

Okay well... it's time to put out some cookies for Santa, and some popcorn for the Reindeer.  
My aching body is telling me it's a wrap for tonight.  (Get it,,,It's Christmas Eve...a wrap...hahahahaha...a little pain-medicine-isn't-working humor). 

Merry Christmas!
Happy Yule Log!
Holly N Ivy / Diane

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：12/26/2013 05:30:44Copy HTML

Hi hollynivy:
The very unsafe way we used to add Christmas lights to our front porch was to unscrew the porch light bulb and screw in a circular adapter that had the base of a light bulb but was plastic with 2 slots like an ungrounded wall outlet of the day on the top.  They were rated for 660W, but I'm sure they would melt the plastic with that much of a load - it did work though and was safe for using miniature lights, but the nice 'giant' C9 bulbs would have been quite a load as they were at least 9 watts each x 25 = 225 watts. (and they even made a few 15 watt bulbs!).  Much safer now with a GFCI outlet!

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Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs?

Date Posted：12/26/2013 07:20:23Copy HTML

Diane,

The halo lights, I don't have in my collection, I wish I did though.  I "borrowed" them from an eBay auction to explain the type I was remembering and searching for.

John,

Back when they only had the 2 prong outlets, the cords were a much heavier gauge and could handle more current then the light strings of today.  They are made very cheaply, and probably only have maybe 10 very thin strands of copper wire in each side of the cords.  That is why they don't want you to plug more than 2 cords end to end.

Also, back then, the plugs and even the round screw in socket you were talking about weren't made of plastic, they were made from Bakelite, and that is what a lot of the old telephone company transformers going into your home somewhere in the basement were made of, and even the old thermostats for furnaces transformers for the thermostats made from Bakelite.  It wouldn't melt from heat, but was very hard to break.  It would almost be like an old 78 RPM record, if it did break, it would splinter, and you couldn't glue it back together.

I have to use the screw in plug socket too for when I do my outdoor lights, but even though they aren't grounded being only two wires, I use a 3 prong adapter, and a very heavy duty extension cord which is 25 feet long and has 3 different outlets along it plus an 3 plug adapter so I can plug 3 things into one socket.

This picture I am inserting is from a place I used to live and had to use a regular 2 wire extension cord that went under the window as there wasn't an outside outlet, and I used the heavy duty extension cord, and everything you see was all plugged into the one outlet from inside the house, and I even use 3 or 4 6 outlet power strips, and the extension cord plug at the socket inside the house didn't even get warm.

The Reindeer had a 40 watt bulb in it, and the other blowmolds had C7's 7-watt bulbs in them, and the lights around the windows were mini-lights, but the ones around the perimieter of the porch were C9's, but they don't show up very well in this picture.  You can even see a regular brown 2 wire extension cord going to the Candy Cane Rope Lights, and they were plugged into a power strip that was on the heavy duty extension cord.  This is one that I bought from QVC, and is much heavier than the orange cords,  The heavy duty cord probably weighs 15 pounds or more. As for the  lights, you can't distinguish the mini-light from the C9's, but there was several hundred watts of lights all connected using a single 2 wire extension cord and then a 3 prong adapter and they were also on a timer that came on at dusk and when off 8 hours later.

My Digital Camera doesn't do well with lights, but if I were to take it with a film camera the lights would show up.  Also with my Digital Camera, there is a 2 - 3 second delay from when I press the button to when the camera actually takes the picture.

Also, my tree which you can see in the window was plugged into the same outlet inside the house and there were 600 mini-lights on the tree, so there was even more wattage being used from one outlet in the house, and we didn't pop the breaker and the cords never got hot.

Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan

CluelessInSeattle
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Date Posted：09/21/2013 06:50:14Copy HTML GE used to sell sets of 4 C7 Christmas tree light replacement bulbs. I think they might have been branded "Cool Bright" or something like that. Each set contained one each of red, green, blue and rare yellow-orange. I would even call that last color a yellow-yellow-orange. It gave off such warm and cozy glow on a dark winter night. Sadly, GE stopped marketing those C7 lamps, and I've been unable to find that same color lamp anywhere since. A few years ago I did came across some of those GE four packs in a bin of odds and ends at a liquidation store here in Seattle. They were selling them for only 25 cents a set! So off course I snapped up what few they had left. But they didn't have many. :( But over the years since then the bulbs have been burning-out one by one, and now I only have a handful left. In my autumn pre-Christmas decorating I screw orange and those yellow-orange lamps into my C7 Christmas light strings to set the mood for Halloween. This year I looked in my boxes of C7 lamps and was disappointed at how few of those yellow-yellow-orange bulbs have survived. Does anyone here have any ideas on where I might look for C7 light bulbs in that impossible to find yellow-yellow-orange color? Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
anthonyv	Share to: #1
Rank：Gold Posts：193 From：Unknown Register：10/30/2005 12:29:54	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/21/2013 08:58:22Copy HTML Will, I know the GE bulbs you're talking about - we use them in our windows candles (or at least we did). My wife purchased some orange colored ones on ebay last year. It's worth checking there, especially if they've been discontinued.
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #2
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/22/2013 01:16:35Copy HTML Thanks, Anthony! eBay, here I come! Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #3
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/22/2013 01:41:17Copy HTML Will, I remember those bulbs myself, and I also remember the C6 bulbs. eBay is a good place to start, but they are often on the expensive side, and the vendor will usually state that they "have no way of testing them, but they look like they are brand new with no paint loss." I remember pinks and yellows, and the red, green, blue and oranges were much purer in color back when I was a youngster. They just don't make them like they used to. If you find any on eBay, you could message the vendor, and there is a way to test the bulbs using a 9-Volt battery, they just have to place the bulb between the contacts of the battery, one part of the bulb, where the solder is and the threaded part and they can test them on the battery. It doesn't matter which way they try it on the battery because if the bulb is good, it will light up. It might not be as bright as if it was in a string of lights, but it will at least give off a glow. I find them to be very expensive though, and I could kick myself for not stocking up on them before they stopped making them in the late 1970's. I really love the C6 lights, and I have purchased some from eBay and maybe 35 out of 50 worked. So I really wasted $30.00. They were in the 4-pack boxes too and some loose ones. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #4
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/22/2013 02:47:27Copy HTML Yes! Pink! And violet! I once had one solitary bulb of each color some decades ago. I wonder if those colors were banned from import because the chemicals used to produce those colors didn't meet some standard or other. Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Winter_Warlock	Share to: #5
Rank：Silver Posts：50 From：USA Register：05/30/2013 06:51:59	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/22/2013 06:18:15Copy HTML This is where I get my C bulbs now. I don't know if they'll be the color you're looking for or not, but they definitely have the holiday crazies in mind. I don't think you specified whether these were frosted or clear bulbs that you're looking for though, so maybe this is of no use. But they do have pink and purple. http://www.christmas-light-source.com/C7-Bulbs-_c_139.html The triple-dipped bulbs are pretty new, and I can't wait to see how they look. This was added because some folks were wanting richer colors.
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #6
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3893 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/22/2013 11:15:44Copy HTML GE Cool Brights were C7 bulbs that were transparent and steady-burning. GE Merry Brights were C9 bulbs that were transparent and steady-burning. GE Twinkle Brights (first known as Merry Twinkle) were C7 and C9 bulbs that were transparent and blinked. GE Satin Brights (and another product, Satin Glo) were C7 bulbs that were opaque (frosted) and steady-burning. GE Glow Brights were C7 and C9 bulbs that were opaque (frosted) and steady-burning. GE never manufactured Pink or Violet colored C7 or C9 bulbs. As for C6 bulbs, GE did make a Pink at one time, but I have never seen a Violet. And that is correct, Susan; GE discontinued the manufacturing of C6 bulbs in the late 1970s (1977 in fact). These great indoor and outdoor "C" series screw-base Christmas lights were far superior to the miniature lights of today. Even with a reflector (which you can't even find today) the miniature lights just don't pack near the same punch as the C7 and C9 lights that we grew up with. It's another great tradition that has sadly gone to pot. By the way, regarding triple-dipped bulbs, Chris; I purchased C7 twinkles in the past and they were much too dark. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
Winter_Warlock	Share to: #7
Rank：Silver Posts：50 From：USA Register：05/30/2013 06:51:59	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 03:35:04Copy HTML Huh, and all this time, I thought the "Cool brights" name was meant to imply that they generated light with considerably less heat. Pity about the triple-dipped C-7's And I agree that the C-bulbs will produce far more light than miniatures. They also cast very interesting shadows that are fun to look at, especially with twinkle bulbs. As for older mini lights though, I'm not sure if it's true that they weren't as bright as C bulbs. I think the lack of brightness is due to 'energy efficient' lights. Not just LED's (bleh), but even modern incandescent. I just bought some mini lights from the 70's with tulip reflectors, because I remembered having them in the 80's and those were really REALLY bright. I also remembered that they were hot enough to make you flinch if you weren't careful while stringing them up. While testing the ones I just bought, I discovered that the wires had gotten so hot that they partially melted their way through the reflectors in a couple places. Wow. I'd have to look at the specs again, but I think the wattage per bulb was about 3x as much as mini lights you'd find at Walmart today.
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #8
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3893 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 05:17:53Copy HTML Yes, that was exactly the idea behind the Cool Bright name: they were bright but burned much cooler than their opaque (frosted) Satin Bright/Glow Bright predecessors. As for the comparison of C6, C7 and C9 lights to modern-day miniature lights -- there is none. And it doesn't matter if they're miniatures from the 1960s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and so on and so forth. They do not hold a candle to the original and superior screw-based "C' series lights. They just don't have the warmth, charm, power, presence, punch or radiance. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #9
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 03:33:41Copy HTML Thanks for that photo of the plugged-in string of C7s on the carpet, Chip. I'm sure that image has a nostalgic glow for everyone in this group. It sure does for me. As usual, Chip, with your encyclopedic memory, you nailed the correct name for those C7 bulb four packs. I just dug around in my box of Christmas lights and unearthed one of the cardboard four pack bulb holders, and sure enough, it's labeled "Glow Bright." And it still has the ".25" dayglo orange price sticker on it. As for those triple-dipped bulbs, they might be just the ticket for me to use as pilot lights on my power strips to remind me to turn them off at bedtime and when I go out. I plug in a simple nightlight lamp socket into one of the outlets on each of my power strips. I plug all my electronics, like computers, stereos, TV, etc., into power strips and only turn them on when I need to use them. I figure it saves me a few cents on my electric bills. So much electronic equipment these days is programmed to remain in a "stand by" mode, after you turn it off. So it just sits there consuming electricity when it's supposedly off. I suspect that the amount of electricity I use to power the C7 pilot lights on the power strips may actually be using up more electricity than I end up saving by turning off the power strips when the equipment is not in use. What do you think? Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #10
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 05:35:04Copy HTML I loved the Satin-Brights, and a few years back, K-Mart came out with a set of 7 or different colors in C7 and C9, and they looked OK until you plugged them in. You could see the filament inside the bulbs, and I was so disappointed that I wasted money on about 35 packages of both because I had 150 outdoor C9's and the rest were C7's that I used on my tree and what a waste of money. They only carried them for 2 years. There is a site that I believe actually manufactures strings and bulbs like the older styles from the 50's and 60's. I can't find them anymore, ,but here is another site where they have Incandescent C7's and C9's in Solid Colors or Clear. They also have LED's and fuses and other things. But I wish I could find the site I was looking for because they sold incandescent C6's and I believe also manufactured replacement strings. http://www.christmaslightingsupply.com/shop-online/incandescent-bulbs/14 Here are 2 pictures of some of the C7's from K-Mart. The C9's were worse when lit, but they are in a box buried in the back of my closet but the C7's were easy access. I could only find 4 of them, but there were other colors in each box of 7 or 8. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #11
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3893 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 09:34:45Copy HTML Will: If you're going to use a C7 as a pilot light on your power-strips, then you're better off using a Cool Bright, as it will burn cooler and use less energy that a Glow Bright. And a double-dipped bulb would be a better choice than a triple-dipped bulb, as a double-dipped will be darker than a single-dipped, but not as dark as a triple-dipped. Susan: Yes, those knock-off Satin Bright lights that K-Mart was peddling a few years back were a big disappointment. Too bad you couldn't return them. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
Christmas Always	Share to: #12
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：09/23/2013 10:04:09Copy HTML I wish I could have returned them, but it was too late, and I had already changed all of the C9's on my porch and was risking my life because it was rotted through and held up my long board wedged into the ground to hold the roof of the downstairs porch up with was actually our porch, and the railing were the wrought iron type, and it was way too cold to go back out and change them. So I live and learned. K-Mart usually has a string of their different lights on the trees, or a power outlet near where the lights are so you can test them, but they didn't have any when I saw them. I just thought they looked so nice and were someone similar to the GE ones that I bought up what I needed and when I had replaced all the bulbs both outside and inside, it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to put the old bulbs back in the cord set, so I just left them. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
Yulelights	Share to: #13
Rank：Bronze Posts：21 From：USA Register：11/18/2009 04:17:56	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/01/2013 04:31:49Copy HTML Good afternoon everyone. The information on this thread is correct but I would add one point about the Kmart satin bulbs. They were only sold for about 3 years in the early 2000s. The reason they are dimmer is because these bulbs were 5 watts to conform to modern safety standards, while the original GE Satin Bright was 7 watts . Perhaps that's why GE discontinued satin bright in 1977 after the new standard came out. I have several cartons of the Kmart bulbs, and while they are not exactly the same, it's close enough. They have a metallic shine and turn transparent when lit like the old GE bulbs did. Here is an LED type satin bulb from christmastopia. I have not tried them yet so I can't say how good they are. Again, you have to take what you can get nowadays. Also I have seen true yellow bulbs (not orange!) at various internet stores. If you look hard at the local home improvement store you can find pink night light bulbs nearly identical to the ones made many years ago. J.S.Pilliteri Webmaster, The Yule lights collection
Christmas Always	Share to: #14
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/02/2013 01:39:35Copy HTML I've noticed that the C7 nightlight clear bulbs are getting harder and harder to find in 7-watts, but I have seen them at Dollar Tree. Most stores now are selling only 4-watts. I've tried the clear C7 LED nightlight bulbs, but they really didn't light up the room enough to see your way around and they were pretty intense just where the bulb was. It's a shame that they have to ruin things and make the bulbs less bright. Of course, 4-watts does save a bit on electricity than 7-watts, but at Christmas, who cares. Most people go so far overboard with their lighting displays, their electric bills are going to be sky high to begin with. But yes, the 4-watt glass incandescent Christmas light bulbs just aren't as nice as the 7-watt bulbs. I occasionally will stock up on them from eBay, but I know I am taking a chance that a lot of them might not work or will burn out in the one season. But if that is the only way to get the better bulbs, that is what I have to do. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there was a website that actually made C6, C7, and C9's and even the strings with sockets for them, but either I lost the link, or they are gone and the link is dead so I deleted the link. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
Yulelights	Share to: #15
Rank：Bronze Posts：21 From：USA Register：11/18/2009 04:17:56	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/02/2013 07:29:39Copy HTML Susan: Perhaps the shop you are thinking of was Lionsden Holiday Lighting. They were the go to place for vintage lights and bubble lights. The shop went out of business about 2 years ago because the owner, Paul Shofeld, is in declining health. You can still find other people selling old Lionsden stock on ebay for outrageous prices! Found a supplier that sells true 7 watt ceramic C7 size bulbs. They can be found at Bulbman.com Just read carefully they sell 5 and 7 watt bulbs. JSP
Christmas Always	Share to: #16
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/03/2013 01:33:54Copy HTML Thank you, That name doesn't sound familiar to me, so it was probably another company. I didn't have time to go though each link I have saved, but there is still a chance that the company isn't around any more, and I deleted the link. Thanks again for the link. I will look over their site when I have more time. I still have a few parts to some 60+ year old bubble lights, but the bulbs themselves were long since burned out. I think the last one burned out in 1974. I don't even remember the company they came from, but I bought them at a thrift store when I was a teenager and it's possible they were made by NOMA, being that was a popular brand in the area I was living back them for what people where donating to thrift stores. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #17
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/03/2013 02:17:59Copy HTML Hi Susan! Years ago I found a web page that gave instructions for how to replace the light bulbs in those old bubble lights. As I recall the trick was to place the lamp housing in the freezer. For some reason that made it easier to pop it open without cracking the plastic. Let me see if I can find that page (if it still exists)... Found it! http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/faqs.htm The info is near the bottom of the page under the heading: IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET MY BURNT OUT BUBBLE LIGHTS TO SHINE AGAIN? HOW? You can just search for the word "freezer" in the page. Have any of you ever tried this trick? Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #18
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/04/2013 05:13:28Copy HTML Hi Will, I remember the C6 Bubble Lights I had would sometimes get so hot that they would melt the plastic around the bulb and then the glass tubes would be tilted. I believe they were glued in with rubber cement. The bulbs themselves were clear and flat on top so that the tubes could rest on them and get the most heat possible from the bulb to make the oil or whatever was inside them boil/bubble. I also remember that you could change the top and bottom of the plastic and mix and match colors, but I think they have to be glued together once you separated them. It's hard to remember for sure being it was in the early 1970's, and being I only have maybe 4 or 5 pieces of what I used to have, I can't really remember for sure. I don't like the new Bubble Lights, but I believe they are C7's, though I don't know if they are 4, 5 or 7 watt bulbs as I never really looked at the boxes. I just knew they were too large compared to the ones I had and, if I seem them on eBay and I can afford them I will bid and hope I win. Another type of bulb I liked was the GE Lighted Ice Cool Burning Bulbs. They were also called Snowball Iced Lamps, and I believe they were C7's. Here is a picture of some of the GE ones. Another thing I liked was these plastic things that went over the C7 bulbs in the Candelabras that were like a Halo and gave a nice effect to the lights in the windows. These aren't the exact ones, but are similar. The there was an actual hole in the base and you inserted the bulb in the hole and that held the Halo in place and it diffused the lights and gave them a nice glow. The ones I am thinking of were more opaque. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
Winter_Warlock	Share to: #19
Rank：Silver Posts：50 From：USA Register：05/30/2013 06:51:59	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/07/2013 08:25:34Copy HTML My wife has a few candelabras that have those clear halo pieces encircling the bulbs and we love them. Very old school and a unique effect. I don't think they're frosted (guessing that's the word you were going for) though, just clear, like the ones you have pictured.
Christmas Always	Share to: #20
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/08/2013 03:25:11Copy HTML Are they the same one in my picture? or, are they the ones that a more opaque? I really loved the opaque ones as they gave a nice glow to the candelabras and even the individual candles. I am including some pictured of the GE C7 Satin Bright bulbs, I had take 2 pictures with my camera but one is blurry as I tried to capture the GE Logo, and then I ended up scanning them the pick one looks almost new, but the green one has paint chips in it. These are blurry, and you can barely make out the GE Logo. This is a bit better, but I didn't have the GE Logo facing the camera These I actually did with my scanner and you can see the GE Logo on the pink one and the paint chips on the green one. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
Winter_Warlock	Share to: #21
Rank：Silver Posts：50 From：USA Register：05/30/2013 06:51:59	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/10/2013 07:19:18Copy HTML For some reason I thought you were referring to the halo inserts being frosted. Those were perfectly clear acrylic on mine. The bulbs on my candelabras are regular frosted ones. I don't think I've ever owned anything that used Satin Brights. I'm rather curious as to what they would look like next to standard frosted bulbs. From what I know of 'pearlized' finishes, I can't imagine them having much impact on how a light looks while turned on, because those finishes are more effective at reflecting light in interesting ways, not refracting/diffusing it.
Christmas Always	Share to: #22
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/10/2013 02:24:09Copy HTML Sorry for the confusion, I will try to clarify. The pink and green bulbs I posted were the GE Satin Bright bulbs that Chip had mentioned. The reason I posted them was to try and show that something that is over 40+ years that are burned out can still look like they are almost new, because vendors on eBay that are selling vintage C6, C6 an C9's state that they have no way of testing them, but they look like they are new with no paint loss. I was trying to imply that doesn't mean that they will actually work just because they look new. As for the Halo that went over the C7 Candelabra bulbs, I found 2 better pictures to use for examples and they gave a nice effect to the bulbs. The second picture doesn't give off the glow I am referring to being the person who took the picture did it in daylight or with indoor lights on, but at night, in a window they really did give off a nice glow to the bulbs. I hope this clears up any confusion. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
jinglero	Share to: #23
Rank：Bronze Posts：39 From：USA Register：11/05/2012 10:08:37	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/22/2013 05:59:38Copy HTML There are some replacement C7 bulbs available here: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Orton_Specialties/New_This_Season/C7_Replacement_Bulbs_(Set_of_5_Boxes)/H4172 or some new strands of lights: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Orton_Specialties/New_This_Season/C7_Christmas_Lights/64462?eVar24=64462&eVar21=often+purchased+with&eVar20=H4172 Hope this is of some help! :)
Christmas Always	Share to: #24
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/23/2013 02:35:56Copy HTML Thank you Jinglero, I called The Vermont Country Store, and unfortunately they are only 5-Watts. It is getting harder and harder to fine the 7-Watters nowadays. So, it looks like we will have to pay extremely high prices on eBay and take a change that they will or will not work. Such a shame that you can't get something that has been a Christmas staple for over 50 years anymore. The light strings are also 5-Watts. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #25
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/23/2013 03:28:40Copy HTML Those halo light attachments are gorgeous, Susan! Does anybody sell those these days? What would I search for on the web? Do you know of any brand names or product names? Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #26
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/23/2013 06:50:14Copy HTML Will, I haven't seen them in windows since the 1960's, but there are some available on eBay from time to time. That is where I got the pictures from, the last 2 pictures are the actual ones I was referring to in my initial post, but only was able to find some with frost on them. They really did give a nice glow to the lights especially when you could see them from outside is the windows. I don't even see them show up in thrift stores. I do see the single, triple candelabras and I was even fortunate to find a 5 light last year. There were 2 of them at a thrift store, and 1 had a box, but was missing a bulb or 2, so they had one on display and swapped it for me, but unfortunately the one they swapped didn't fit the box but it was close. I was a little upset but I didn't notice that it didn't fit the box because they took the one that was missing bulbs out of the box and put the box in a bag, and then got the display set and just put it in the bag too, so I didn't find out until I got home that it wasn't the same manufacturer. I like to have the boxes with vintage decorations, as it just make the item complete, and it gives me something to put it away in. I believe that I searched under Collectibles then Holiday & Seasonal or Seasonal Holiday, and then Modern, 46 - 90. {EDITED by Christmas Always to add something else} Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #27
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/23/2013 09:45:11Copy HTML So, what do you call those halo thingies? What search terms would you suggest I use on eBay? Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #28
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/24/2013 01:43:31Copy HTML Will, I don't know their official name because I believe they actually came out during the 1940's or 1950's, but I couldn't say for sure. I just called the "Light Halo's" and when I searched, several things came up, such as a lighted angel with a halo, but I eventually found a couple of auctions that had the pictures I posted of them. Though again, I am not sure what time period they are from, or what they are officially called. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
CluelessInSeattle	Share to: #29
Rank：Diamond Posts：312 From：USA Register：01/22/2011 05:14:18	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/24/2013 03:04:19Copy HTML Thanks, Susan! I tried a Google search and on the first page of results I found these on eBay: Vintage Christmas Lights Halo for C7 But they are marked "Sold" Will in Seattle a.k.a. "Clueless"
Christmas Always	Share to: #30
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/24/2013 12:36:34Copy HTML Wow, $20.50 for 5 of them. I didn't think they would go for that much. I'm sure they will show up from time to time, but they will be on the expensive side. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
jinglero	Share to: #31
Rank：Bronze Posts：39 From：USA Register：11/05/2012 10:08:37	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：10/29/2013 05:34:13Copy HTML You're welcome Susan :) I'm sorry they were not the correct wattage :(
Winter_Warlock	Share to: #32
Rank：Silver Posts：50 From：USA Register：05/30/2013 06:51:59	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：12/06/2013 01:54:33Copy HTML Hm, Susan, don't know why this didn't dawn on me before, but I just realized that though I've never used Satin brights, I have used a bulb that has a very similar effect. Pearl 'globe' lights, one of my two favorite types of mini lights. They have a similar finish and have a nearly identical diffused glow when you look at them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-PEARL-GLOBE-BULB-WHITE-BLUE-LIGHTS-GREEN-WIRE-CHRISTMAS-NEVER-USED-/380786445290?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a8a40bea
Christmas Always	Share to: #33
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：12/06/2013 02:22:44Copy HTML Thank you for the info, I have seen them before, I just didn't care for the style/shape. I really don't even like the mini-lights on my pre-lit tree, but I can't do anything about them. I have in the past not even plugged in the pre-lit and used several strings of vintage C7's. I just like the larger lights, but it is getting harder and harder to find them in 7-watts as I have mentioned before. I really would love to have tree fully lit by the Satin-Bright light bulbs, but they are hard to find on eBay and then end up being expensive. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan
hollynivy	Share to: #34
Rank：Silver Posts：81 From：USA Register：10/10/2009 01:08:50	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：12/25/2013 03:14:21Copy HTML Yeow! This is incredible information. I miss those lights. The string on the front porch were huge bulbs. At least as a kid, the looked huge to me. Could someone share with me how (back then) they were "plugged into" an electrical outlet? I don't recall our porch having any electric sockets. And I am assuming the cords (back then) had some kind of protective coating so they were resistant to water/snow. Or not? Were we all in jeopardy of being shocked dragging our snow sleds over them to dry off on the porch from a day's work up and down the sidewalks? The porch always was so dark when they were taken down after New Year's. Hey Chip! I heard that Kresge's and Woolworth's tried to out bid each other on your stash of GE Christmas Lights! When the 30 Rock burns a bulb, they call you for a replacement (30 Rock...the "GE" Building) timpany-ting Christmas Always, those are the most clean, well kept, and amazing Halo Lights. My goodness lots of TLC has gone into that set. Okay well... it's time to put out some cookies for Santa, and some popcorn for the Reindeer. My aching body is telling me it's a wrap for tonight. (Get it,,,It's Christmas Eve...a wrap...hahahahaha...a little pain-medicine-isn't-working humor). Merry Christmas! Happy Yule Log! Holly N Ivy / Diane
johnnyelectron	Share to: #35
Rank：Gold Posts：199 From：USA Register：11/17/2008 07:33:50	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：12/26/2013 05:30:44Copy HTML Hi hollynivy: The very unsafe way we used to add Christmas lights to our front porch was to unscrew the porch light bulb and screw in a circular adapter that had the base of a light bulb but was plastic with 2 slots like an ungrounded wall outlet of the day on the top. They were rated for 660W, but I'm sure they would melt the plastic with that much of a load - it did work though and was safe for using miniature lights, but the nice 'giant' C9 bulbs would have been quite a load as they were at least 9 watts each x 25 = 225 watts. (and they even made a few 15 watt bulbs!). Much safer now with a GFCI outlet!
Christmas Always	Share to: #36
Rank：Diamond Posts：1230 From：USA Register：08/28/2006 07:41:07	Re：Yellow-Orange C7 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs? Date Posted：12/26/2013 07:20:23Copy HTML Diane, The halo lights, I don't have in my collection, I wish I did though. I "borrowed" them from an eBay auction to explain the type I was remembering and searching for. John, Back when they only had the 2 prong outlets, the cords were a much heavier gauge and could handle more current then the light strings of today. They are made very cheaply, and probably only have maybe 10 very thin strands of copper wire in each side of the cords. That is why they don't want you to plug more than 2 cords end to end. Also, back then, the plugs and even the round screw in socket you were talking about weren't made of plastic, they were made from Bakelite, and that is what a lot of the old telephone company transformers going into your home somewhere in the basement were made of, and even the old thermostats for furnaces transformers for the thermostats made from Bakelite. It wouldn't melt from heat, but was very hard to break. It would almost be like an old 78 RPM record, if it did break, it would splinter, and you couldn't glue it back together. I have to use the screw in plug socket too for when I do my outdoor lights, but even though they aren't grounded being only two wires, I use a 3 prong adapter, and a very heavy duty extension cord which is 25 feet long and has 3 different outlets along it plus an 3 plug adapter so I can plug 3 things into one socket. This picture I am inserting is from a place I used to live and had to use a regular 2 wire extension cord that went under the window as there wasn't an outside outlet, and I used the heavy duty extension cord, and everything you see was all plugged into the one outlet from inside the house, and I even use 3 or 4 6 outlet power strips, and the extension cord plug at the socket inside the house didn't even get warm. The Reindeer had a 40 watt bulb in it, and the other blowmolds had C7's 7-watt bulbs in them, and the lights around the windows were mini-lights, but the ones around the perimieter of the porch were C9's, but they don't show up very well in this picture. You can even see a regular brown 2 wire extension cord going to the Candy Cane Rope Lights, and they were plugged into a power strip that was on the heavy duty extension cord. This is one that I bought from QVC, and is much heavier than the orange cords, The heavy duty cord probably weighs 15 pounds or more. As for the lights, you can't distinguish the mini-light from the C9's, but there was several hundred watts of lights all connected using a single 2 wire extension cord and then a 3 prong adapter and they were also on a timer that came on at dusk and when off 8 hours later. My Digital Camera doesn't do well with lights, but if I were to take it with a film camera the lights would show up. Also with my Digital Camera, there is a 2 - 3 second delay from when I press the button to when the camera actually takes the picture. Also, my tree which you can see in the window was plugged into the same outlet inside the house and there were 600 mini-lights on the tree, so there was even more wattage being used from one outlet in the house, and we didn't pop the breaker and the cords never got hot. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life. Susan