Re: [EE]: a curiosity - RCA -> Miniature Light Globe pendant?

Or the Google AI thinking it knows better than the user.

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 4:47 PM Spehro Pefhany <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> On 2026-01-26 4:53 a.m., smplx wrote:
>
> Hi, Sergio: -
>
> Good find, that looks like a possibility. Here's a fairly unsafe looking
> "vintage" light of this kind on eBay "Leek Light".
>
> https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/D9MAAOSw1kBnsQa3/s-l1600.webp
>
> https://ebay.us/m/sSIp8A
>
>
> It uses a standard (for the 1940s) #44 6.3VAC panel light. And has a
> 120VAC two-pin plug. And has exposed metal on the #44 bulb.
>
>
> We can safely assume there is not a high-tech isolated GaN SMPS hidden
> in the plug.
>
> So I'm guessing a series resistor in the form of the power cord. The
> bulb is 250mA so the cord would have to dissipate close to 30W. It will
> get toasty- better not coil it up in a bunch.
>
> P.S. Searching for this kind of niche product is a real pain, Google
> ignores quotes when it feels like it these days  and it would prefer to
> find "light leak" which is a photography technique to simulate a
> defective film camera, from what I can see. Also making lights (lamps)
> in the form of leeks (and cellos) is not uncommon. It's a subtle form of
> enshitification- they are assuming (probably correctly) that an error
> from the user is far more common than someone looking for a rare vintage
> gadget and are serving that need preferentially.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Spehro Pefhany
>
>
>
>
> > I've had success identifying objects by describing them to grok. So I
> > tried submitting your post to grok and this was the reply.
> >
> >>>>
> > It's likely a vintage leak detection light (often called a "leak
> > light" or "bore light") used for repairing woodwind instruments like
> > clarinets, flutes, oboes, or piccolos. These tools are inserted into
> > the instrument's bore to illuminate the interior, making it easier to
> > spot air leaks through pads, joints, or cracks by observing where
> > light escapes. The small size fits narrow bores, the slot directs the
> > light beam (preventing it from shining everywhere), and the RCA
> > connector plugs into a low-voltage power supply or control unit
> > (common in older repair kits to avoid high voltage near delicate
> > instruments). The incandescent bulb runs on low voltage (around 1.5V
> > or so) to keep heat minimal and safe for wood or metal surfaces.
> > Modern versions use LEDs, but vintage ones like the Erick Brand
> > "clarinet lamp" (or similar) relied on incandescent globes. The
> > reverse image search results make sense—its probe-like shape resembles
> > dental tools or injectors, but the context fits musical instrument
> > repair best. If you have access to a low-voltage power adapter (start
> > at 1.5V to test safely), you could try replacing the bulb with a
> > compatible grain-of-wheat type (e.g., 1.5V, 30-50mA) from electronics
> > suppliers.
> > <<<
> >
> > In the past I've found you can tell grok that this is not correct and
> > to try again. You can tell it why you think its answer is wrong and it
> > will refine its search. After a few trys it seems to find what you are
> > looking for.
> >
> > Friendly Regards
> > Sergio
> >
> > On Mon, 26 Jan 2026, Justin Richards wrote:
> >
> >> I have had in my collection a small 10.5mm (0.4") D x 51.5mm (2") L
> >> cylindical device with an RCA connector at one end and at the other a
> >> small
> >> slot behind lies a small incadesant globe. Image is hopefully attached.
> >>
> >> Sadly, the globe is blown and has no specs on it or the cyclinder it is
> >> housed in.
> >>
> >> Wiki suggests the lowest voltage incadestant globe is about 1.5v.  As
> >> such,
> >> I guess it is not used to indicate normal RCA socket signal levels
> >>
> >> I submitted image for a gargoyle search but it suggested a dentist
> >> tool or
> >> diesel injector.
> >>
> >> Any guesses?
> >>
> >> Cheers justin
> >> [image: rca_light.jpg]
> >>
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