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An Enigma machine uses small - rather unusual - lamps for its output.
These lamps have a common E10 fitting, but have a somewhat
flattened balloon. The drawing below shows it side-by-side with
any ordinary bulb. The one on the left is a standard E10 lamp
with a round balloon. On the right are the flat-faced lamps that
are required for the Enigma. There are two variants: one that
is completely clear and one that is half-opaque.
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Lamps like these were rather common before and during WWII, but
have since been phased out.
The shape of the lamp is very important
as ordinary lamps are slightly higher and will therefore penetrate
the letter film. As the letter film is made of celluloid, it becomes
brittle, and breaks and burns easily.
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The official specification for the bulb is 3.5V/200mA,
but that is not as important as the shape. Lamps in this shape are
sometimes found in 2V, 2.2V and 3V versions and they can all be used.
The current is rather important and should not exceed 200mA too much,
as otherwise it could cause sparks when the coding wheels are moved.
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In order to keep the few surviving machines running we need as
much lamps as we can find for current and future restoration jobs.
If you have any of these lamps left, please contact us.
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- Don's bulbs
The 2.25V/250mA MAZDA #223 lamp is a good alternative.
- Reproduction lamps
A limited quantity of reproduction lamps have been made available
by Glen Miranker via the enigma replica project.
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© Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Saturday, 28 December 2013 - 20:04 CET
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