Rewiring a vintage Lamp

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ComputerWizKid

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Apr 28, 2004
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I rescued another relic from the depths of the garbage man. Anyway I never seen this configuration in a lamp before so that's why I need the help. The configuration is (I take the socket was replaced with a normal 3-way socket because they are easier to find) a socket with no switch and the switch is on the base of the lamp, The switch has 3 wires coming out of it (black, blue, red) and there are 3 wires going up the lamp stem (Red, White, Black) So what type of socket do I need? I want to restore the lamp back to it original beauty First cleaning, Polishing and then rewiring. I know I could take the easy way out and just put a normal socket in it but I rather restore it to its original function
 

ComputerWizKid

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Apr 28, 2004
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I figured out the switch using a continuity meter
Black wire hot from cord
Red wire L1 (The lower wattage filament)
Blue wire L2 (The higher Wattage filament)

The switch works like this L1-L2-L1+L2-Off
I just have to get my socket now I found one on fleabay that fits the bill
(So this is how I think it would be wired Please tell me if I'm wrong)

Ribbed Neutral wire un-switched will wire nut to the white wire that's going up the lamp stem and then connect to the silver Screw on the socket
Hot wire from cord to black wire on switch
Red wire from switch to center contact (Brass colored screw)
Blue wire from switch to to the other contact for a 3-Way lamp (I don't know what the color of that screw)
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
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Pics of the lamp? :)

But sorry, I don't know anything about wiring. You could try taking it to an electrician.
 

Paperdoc

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Aug 17, 2006
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In your second post with "figures it out" etc, you are exactly right, even down to assigning the lower-wattage contact as the center one. Lucky you could find a 3-way socket with separate connection screws.
 

ComputerWizKid

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Apr 28, 2004
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Yeah the socket was hard to source but I found the socket on eBay. Leviton still makes them but they are hard to come by these days

I just need a new Shade for it and probably some felt for the bottom (To conceal my wiring job)
 

WHAMPOM

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Feb 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: ComputerWizKid
I figured out the switch using a continuity meter
Black wire hot from cord
Red wire L1 (The lower wattage filament)
Blue wire L2 (The higher Wattage filament)

The switch works like this L1-L2-L1+L2-Off
I just have to get my socket now I found one on fleabay that fits the bill
(So this is how I think it would be wired Please tell me if I'm wrong)

Ribbed Neutral wire un-switched will wire nut to the white wire that's going up the lamp stem and then connect to the silver Screw on the socket
Hot wire from cord to black wire on switch
Red wire from switch to center contact (Brass colored screw)
Blue wire from switch to to the other contact for a 3-Way lamp (I don't know what the color of that screw)

I have lamps with a switch like that, but to a three bulb set-up, 1 on, 2&3 on, 1,2&3 on, off. If it is old enough to predate 3-way bulbs, I think that was how your original lamp was set up.
 

ComputerWizKid

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Apr 28, 2004
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I don't know how old the lamp is but it only has a place to attach one socket although the threaded thing is bigger than standard lamp 1/8 IPS threaded pipe (I did get a new socket but I had to use the old socket cap base)
 
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