eBay

For sale is a vintage Dialco panel light, left in the electronic parts "collection" of my late father. He was an active HAM radio operator for over 70 years, was an Army Radio School Instructor during the War, and ran his own radio and other electronics service for much of his life. I believe these pilot lights may be military surplus that Dad had on hand for his own many projects. My husband did a bit of research on these panel lights, and here is some of what he found:

DESCRIPTION: These are varieties of vintage neon indicator lights, manufactured by Dial Light Co. of America, Inc. New York, USA under their Dialco brand. One is New Old Stock (out of the box), and three have been removed from vintage electronic equipment. They feature convex glass lenses in a variety of colors, and are identified by defense standardization part numbers: red is LH64PR2, white is LH64PW2, and amber is LH64PA2. These rugged instrument panel lights have CSA and UL approvals and are rated for 75 watt, 125 volt service. They are military grade components. Designed for T3-1/4 miniature bayonet neon lamps, these pilot lights come equipped with NE-51 neon bulbs. These pilot lights incorporate an internal resistor between the center bulb contact and the plus (+) terminal of the panel light. It measures about 108,500 ohms, plus or minus 10%. Additional external resistance is probably required (see Caution Note below). These units are designed for panel mounting and come equipped with a panel mounting nut and lock washer. Discriminating Buyers will want these vintage artifacts for their rugged quality construction. They will be especially desirable for restoration of vintage electronics, where OEM components are preferred.

MANUFACTURER: Dial Light Co. of America, Inc., New York, USA

BRAND: Dialco (registered trademark)

COMPANY HISTORY: The Dial Light Co.of America, Inc. was founded in 1938, with manufacturing operations in Brooklyn, New York, where the company produced aircraft instrument panel light assemblies (pilot lights!) and signal jewels. The company began marketing its indicator lights under the Dialco brand as early as December 1938. In 1947, the Dialco brand became a registered trademark of the company. During WWII, the company supplied components to the U.S. military for aircraft, ships, tanks, etc., under the manufacturer code "CAYZ." In 1963, the Dialco business was absorbed by Philips, a Dutch company. In 1990, Dialco products were acquired by the Roxboro Group, through a management buyout. The business was renamed Dialight in 2005.

APPROVALS: CSA (Canadian Standards Association) (molded in base)

UL (Underwriter Laboratories) (molded in base)

POWER RATING: 75 Watts at 125 Volts (molded in base)

TERMINALS: Two solder-lug terminals + Terminal has one hole for conductor, 2nd terminal has two holes.

LAMP: T3-1/4 miniature bayonet neon lamp (NE-51 neon lamp included)

CAUTION NOTE: (The NE-51 bulbs require 220,000 oms of resistance at 105-125 circuit volts, so these pilot lights probably require external resistance in series with the neon lamp. Failure to provide adequate resistance many damage the circuit or cause the NE-51 bulb to shatter!) Reference: Sylvania catalog #203, 1983

LENS: Circular, smooth, convex glass. Knurled bezel/lens assembly has a male thread (9/16-27) that threads into the body of the indicator light. Bezel is probably nickel.

BODY: Appears to be fabricated from metallic, non-magnetic material; with integral thermoset socket.

TRANSMITTED LIGHT: Translucent light transmitted parallel to the long axis of the indicator light.

OVERALL LENGTH: About 2-7/32 inches

DIAMETER OF PANEL ACCOMMODATION HOLE: About 11/16 inch

MAXIMUM PANEL THICKNESS: 5/16 inch

MOUNTING HARDWARE: Non-magnetic, hex panel mounting nut & internal tooth lock washer for panel mounting.

CONDITION: As is, as found, and as photographed. Tis item may also exhibit some wear, scratches, oxidation, etc. consistent with normal handling, storage, disassembly and environmental effects for a vintage item of this kind. (Seller tested thesee components at 120 volts AC with an 84,300-ohm resistor in series with the neon bulb. Photos exhibit the bulbs during the test.) Some panel lights may require desoldering. Please review the photos.

WEIGHT: About 1.2 ounces

WHO WANTS IT?? Public or private museums, collectors of Dialco products and WWII militaria, radio amateurs, electronics buffs and electronics restorers, hot rodders and rat rods!

VARIATIONS:

RED LENS (New Old Stock), Part number LH64PR2

Requires external resistance in series with neon bulb.

Internal Resistance: About 108,500 ohms

RED LENS Part number LH64PR2 (there are 3 of these, all test well)

May require desoldering

Requires external resistance in series with neon bulb

Internal Resistance: About 107,500 ohms, 112,800 ohms, and 110,600 ohms

(Let me know when you purchase, which one(s) you prefer, if you have a preference. Otherwise, I will just

select one.)

AMBER LENS Part number LH64PA2

May require desoldering

Requires external resistance in series with neon bulb

Internal resistance: About 105,600 ohms

WHITE LENS Part number LH64PW2

May require desoldering

Requires external resistance in series with neon bulb

Internal resistance: About 118,200 ohms

Wow! There's a lot of information!! If you would like more than one of these, I will send the second panel light for no additional shipping beyond the first one. That includes any of the several other listings of panel meters I have from my Dad's "collection." (For those from other listings, email me first, as the shipping discount only comes up automatically on this listing.)

Thanks for looking here!!

(panel light box, radio shelves)