Vintage NASA task light

[Ryan]

So… I’m a vintage NASA nerd. My main focus has been 60s and 70s era hardware. Things like switch panels, switch guards, nuts & bolts, brackets, etc… little **** that I can afford.

Anyway, my cousin works at NASA and is fully aware of my obsession. A few weeks ago, he stumbled upon an old task light at work, asked around, and no one claimed it.

Made for one hell of a Christmas gift…

We have no idea where it was used or what it was used for, but it’s gorgeous.

Interestingly, it runs on regular 110, but uses 12v bulbs. The knobs on the side adjust the brightness.

 

[LXCam]

That's exceptionally cool Ryan.

 

[Buckgnarly]

An indicator light, for a light. Awesome.

 

[Ryan]

An indicator light, for a light. Awesome.

Right? It's so you know the lights on.

 

[bronc076]

That's cool! No telling what Uncle Sugar paid for that back in the day! Any branding or nameplates on it, or any idea who made it?

 

[4xdog]

I've never seen one like that, Ryan. Nifty!

 

[Ryan]

That's cool! No telling what Uncle Sugar paid for that back in the day! Any branding or nameplates on it, or any idea who made it?

There's a stamp on the bottom:

Scientific Instruments Inc.
Huntsville, AL
USG01071964

I've scoured old NASA images of control rooms, labs, etc... and haven't been able to spot it in any... It's obviously old. I am guessing it was just a task light for some junior engineer in the 60's or 70's... Nothing too special, but I don't care.

No idea what I am going to do with it yet, but will most likely work it into a workbench or something. The bulbs get incredibly hot really quickly. I'm tempted to get some LED replacements and see if I can get it a bit more efficient with the power, but it's pretty damned bright as is.

 

[RPH]

Hey, that was mine! Been looking for that.
Really nice piece of working history. Would love to use it.

 

[larry4406]

Ryan - you ****!

There I said it!

Nice lamp and forum you have here!

Kudo's for your cousin watching out for you.

 

[cvairwerks]

Ryan, take a look at this page:

Products

www.scientificinstrumentsinc.com

 

[N_Jay]

12v halogen bulbs probably.

Often used in "high intensity" desk lamps.

 

[mike93lx]

There's a stamp on the bottom:

Scientific Instruments Inc.
Huntsville, AL
USG01071964

I've scoured old NASA images of control rooms, labs, etc... and haven't been able to spot it in any... It's obviously old. I am guessing it was just a task light for some junior engineer in the 60's or 70's... Nothing too special, but I don't care.

No idea what I am going to do with it yet, but will most likely work it into a workbench or something. The bulbs get incredibly hot really quickly. I'm tempted to get some LED replacements and see if I can get it a bit more efficient with the power, but it's pretty damned bright as is.

Very cool.
I would bet dimming could be an issue with led. Might need to make some other changes to retain it.

 

[Ryan]

The current bulbs are some old spot light bulbs with BA15s bases. Here they be:

GE 15R14SC/SP 12V 15W BA15s R14 Light Bulb, Replacement Lamp

GE 15R14SC/SP 12V 15W BA15s R14 Light Bulb replacement lamp

www.replacementlightbulbs.com

The dimmer switches are weird. They have detents and so there are only three different brightness levels... and the bulbs sort of turn off between each detent. I am gonna take this thing apart to see how it works for sure, but in the meantime I wanna at least try some LED bulbs.

Anyone have any experience with some super bright LED bulbs with BA15s bases? I'm betting the RV world might have some offerings.

 

[Ryan]

Ryan, take a look at this page:

Products

www.scientificinstrumentsinc.com

Holy ****! How did I miss that! Thanks!

 

[N_Jay]

Bet that it puts bulbs in parallel for high, series for med and puts in a diode for low.

 

[dave*99]

I had the same light in a research lab in the 1980's. Burned my hand on it a few times. They were used on a low power stereo microscope stage and for some photographic applications.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Will this fit? 1156 R12 LED Light Bulb - (8) SMD LED R12 Bulb - BA15S Retrofit Base - 40W Equivalent

 

[Stuart in MN]

Ryan, take a look at this page:

Products

www.scientificinstrumentsinc.com

That's pretty cool they still make and sell them.

 

[cvairwerks]

Don't know that they still make them without talking to them. Just saw the page, but didn't open any of the links there.

 

[Mr onetwo]

found this

 

[Ryan]

found this

I'm starting to think an LED replacement isn't gonna work... I left Scientific Instruments both a voicemail and an email - will be interesting to see what they say.

The current bulbs are crazy bright and work great... I would just love to do something that puts off less heat. Guess I could always tear this thing apart, rewire it without whatever 12V step-down they are using, and run modern LEDs.

 

[driftpin]

That is a neat lamp. When I saw the opposing heads, I thought it might be for specimen lighting photography.

Being in Florida, with the various military bases and Cape Canaveral and the Titusville area, (and Pensacola and the Blue Angels) there is a lot of equipment to be seen & had. I had a fiberglass construction helmet with the old NASA logo, not the 'worm' logo. When I joined the fire dept, I decided I wouldn't need it anymore, and I got rid of it. I wish I kept it.

Here is a medical lamp from Dazor Lamp Co. which has a swiveling head similar to the one you have. I have one like this w/the old circular florescent lamp, now they use multiple LED's.

Yours resembles the Martians in the 1953 version of 'War of the Worlds,' by George C Pal. He was a great special effects person.

Dazor | LED Circline Mobile Floor Stand Magnifier Lamp (41 in.)

Shop our online store for our line of Circline Magnifying Lamps. This 41 in. Mobile Floor Stand Magnifier provides shadow free light over a broad surface.

www.dazor.com

More George Pal:

 

[johnre]

The dimmer switches are weird. They have detents and so there are only three different brightness levels... and the bulbs sort of turn off between each detent.

Likely a transformer with multi-taps. If it's AC out, and it's likely so, the LEDs might have issues.

[LED reference with lumen output at] 40W Equivalent

 

[Tinkerer2]

A little light never hurts.

 

[four.cycle]

very cool. I want one.

 

[cyamaha2007]

I’ve been burnt by a very similar model. I’d love to have one. Congrats! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I couldn't resist

 

[Ryan]

I couldn't resist

Right on!

 

[67CarGuy]

Neato!

 

[Mr onetwo]

Right on!

It's all your fault

 

[Model A Fan]

Its like they deliberately went with a model that is retro-space-agey. Cool design, that's a neat addition to your collection. Probably used to examine moon rocks

 

[dave*99]

Bet that it puts bulbs in parallel for high, series for med and puts in a diode for low.

Probably not. I had the same unit Ryan has. There are 2 independent 3 position intensity knobs. I think you would only have 1 knob if it were done that way.