240v Pilot Light With 120v

[RockinRocket]

I have a really cool NOS pilot light I want to use but its 240v. I could change the bulb with some effort but what would happen, is it safe if I run 120v into it instead? LOL probably a silly question but I simply just dont know!

[Malcolm Irving]

It would be safe enough, but would only light up very dim.

[xtian]

Maybe it will be perfect. I usually think the damn pilot lights are too bright.

[RockinRocket]

Guess ill have to hook it up and see!

[R.G.]

Yep, hook it up and see.

What will actually happen depends on the bulb technology. If it's incandescent, it will get much dimmer and the color will shift towards red - a lot. If it's neon, it will be about the same color, but much dimmer, as neons "arc over" at 70-100V across them and emit light while conducting, the current (and resulting brightness) being limited by a series resistor. The resistors for 240 are much larger than for 120, reflecting the difference in voltage. But the internal emissions have the same spectrum.

[jelle]

I do this a lot to get a less bright effect.