Help interpreting light socket info
September 28, 2020 1:18 PM Subscribe
Can someone tell me what kind of light bulb I need for a fixture labelled "MAX 100W Type "Q" 120V A3 60 Hz" ?
The Max 100W and the 120V/60Hz seem straightforward enough, but I'm not sure what "type Q" and A3 are referring to. This seems like it should be easy to google but I'm not coming up with any useful information.
Searching stores for a type Q or type Q A3 lightbulb comes up with absolutely nothing labelled as Q or A3 so I'm not sure if they may be called something else or maybe they're just really hard to find. My searches often pull up T3 halogen lights like this that do look like they could possibly fit (the old bulb is also a long tube) - is this possibly a newer name for "type Q" or is it just Amazon not having anything relevant and spitting out results anyway?
The Max 100W and the 120V/60Hz seem straightforward enough, but I'm not sure what "type Q" and A3 are referring to. This seems like it should be easy to google but I'm not coming up with any useful information.
Searching stores for a type Q or type Q A3 lightbulb comes up with absolutely nothing labelled as Q or A3 so I'm not sure if they may be called something else or maybe they're just really hard to find. My searches often pull up T3 halogen lights like this that do look like they could possibly fit (the old bulb is also a long tube) - is this possibly a newer name for "type Q" or is it just Amazon not having anything relevant and spitting out results anyway?
Response by poster: Yes, this is the base (sorry I can't get a better quality photo, it's on the ceiling).
posted by randomnity at 1:37 PM on September 28, 2020
posted by randomnity at 1:37 PM on September 28, 2020
Best answer: A3 is probably the diameter of the bulb.
I believe Type Q is a type of halogen bulb AKA R7S. Like these.
posted by Candleman at 2:09 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I believe Type Q is a type of halogen bulb AKA R7S. Like these.
posted by Candleman at 2:09 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I did find this searching on Q100: https://www.energyavenue.com/Feit/Q100CLMC I dont know if anything like what you looking for.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:10 PM on September 28, 2020
posted by SemiSalt at 2:10 PM on September 28, 2020
Can you show a picture of the current bulbs or the bulb socket? That is more helpful than the max, especially in the days of LED bulbs.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:45 PM on September 28, 2020
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:45 PM on September 28, 2020
Best answer: I agree with candleman, I believe these are some kind of R7s. Another source, who has given me good customer service in the past, so they might be able to help you if you contact them.
posted by primethyme at 3:21 PM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by primethyme at 3:21 PM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also, if you are able, it might be easier to swap the fixture out for something that takes a standard bulb. At least, it will give you a lot more options to choose from, and unless it's a weird size/style, a replacement fixture can be pretty cheap.
posted by primethyme at 3:22 PM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by primethyme at 3:22 PM on September 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
+1 to primethyme for their 1000bulbs link. They have a parameter search that has helped me identify some pretty weird bulbs.
posted by Horkus at 4:54 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Horkus at 4:54 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks so much! Am I understanding correctly that R7S is the shape so any R7S bulb should fit there, or is there something else I need to measure/figure out?
Can't remove the bulb at the moment but I got a chair and took a better photo of it at least. I can see more clearly now that it definitely looks like the R7S including the weird little little knob and glass ridges so that's encouraging. And now I see what I thought was A3 is actually AC so oops, nevermind that part. Not sure if this is relevant but the original bulb has a black R with a washed-out letter next to it - either D or O.
And yes, I don't know why on earth the original owners installed this stupid light instead of one that uses a regular light bulb. I'm not really comfortable with wiring stuff but if that changes this fixture will be first on the chopping block.
posted by randomnity at 8:52 PM on September 28, 2020
Can't remove the bulb at the moment but I got a chair and took a better photo of it at least. I can see more clearly now that it definitely looks like the R7S including the weird little little knob and glass ridges so that's encouraging. And now I see what I thought was A3 is actually AC so oops, nevermind that part. Not sure if this is relevant but the original bulb has a black R with a washed-out letter next to it - either D or O.
And yes, I don't know why on earth the original owners installed this stupid light instead of one that uses a regular light bulb. I'm not really comfortable with wiring stuff but if that changes this fixture will be first on the chopping block.
posted by randomnity at 8:52 PM on September 28, 2020
Response by poster: After more reading it looks like they have different lengths but it's clearly the 78mm one. I am learning a lot about halogen lights today (though now I know what it should be, I'm going to see if I can find an LED equivalent instead). Anyway thanks again, it looks like the mystery is solved.
posted by randomnity at 9:32 PM on September 28, 2020
posted by randomnity at 9:32 PM on September 28, 2020
Response by poster: Just wanted to update that the bulbs linked by Candleman fit perfectly, and there is now light!
And good thing I got the pack of 5 because there was an early casualty - they weren't kidding when they marked them as fragile.
posted by randomnity at 8:44 AM on October 9, 2020
And good thing I got the pack of 5 because there was an early casualty - they weren't kidding when they marked them as fragile.
posted by randomnity at 8:44 AM on October 9, 2020
« Older White sheets for someone who doesn't separate... | What program or group helped you to lose weight? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nickggully at 1:30 PM on September 28, 2020