AMI Continental title holder side lamps

[gazzy58]

Hi folks, I am getting to an age now that it is becoming a bit of a pain (literally) to change out the small tube lights which run down either side of the title rack on my AMI Continental. One of the problems is that the metal surrounding shrouds are not easily removable making access difficult. Unless of course you work in the circus as a contortionist. I did read that a fellow member had the same issue and drilled out a couple of internal screws so that the shrouds can come off by simply removing the retaining screws on the reverse side. Unfortunately I cannot seem to find the post. Perhaps if you are reading this, you could let me know which screws to drill out and any other information you might feel relevant. Another problem I face when changing out these lamps is that for some unfathomable reason, many years ago I decided in my not so great wisdom to remove the small screws from the brackets holding the lamp bases in place. A word of warning, NEVER do this. You will find it impossible to get the screws back in and thereafter you will always have trouble getting the lamps to make a good connection. Because these are twist and lock connections, and due to my stupid mistake, I find that every time I make the top connection, the bottom one pops out and vice versa. Also one of the lamp holder's is damaged, so my plan is to replace all this lighting and plastic diffusers with some excellent reproductions I have just purchased. First I need to get these shrouds off.
Gary

[Deadhead Japan]

Gary,

I just rebuilt my title screen this weekend. I would have to say that these installations of these bulbs are the hardest task so far I have come across on my restoration. I replaced my bulbs even though the bulbs were still good. I want to make sure it would be awhile before I have to replace them. I had both the upper and lower chrome pieces off and still struggled!

When it comes time to replace, maybe I will install LED bulbs.

Neal

[gordo]

Hi All,

I am also rebuilding these lights.

I remade the plastic holders with new 'tombstones', however, I am unable to determine what voltage they run at.
I want to use the correct wiring. The old wire is hard and brittle.
These are a difficult set-up.

I have looked through my manual without success.

Can someone enlighten me please?

Cheers Gordon..

[jukenorman]

There is a thread covering this subject on the first page of the AMi section (ie page 17). I think I made my very first forum post in that thread! The existing lights run off 120VAC, it's a conventional fluorescent circuit. I would convert these to LED strips, like I suggested in my first post!

Norman.