Hanging lights may be arranged by fitting a wooden socket and a lamp
with a reflector as shown in Figure 296. The reflector consists of a
circular piece of tin or sheet-aluminum having a hole in the center
large enough to pass the base of a miniature lamp. The circle is then
cut along a straight line from the circumference to the center. If the
edges are pulled together and lapped the circular sheet of metal will
take on a concave shape and form a shade or reflector which will throw
the light downwards. The overlapping edges of the reflector should be
soldered or riveted together. The reflector is slipped over the base of
the lamp, a small rubber or felt washer having been placed over the base
next to the glass bulb so that the reflector will not break the lamp.
The lamp is then screwed into a socket and allowed to hang downwards
from a flexible conductor.
[Illustration: Fig. 292.—A Hanging Lamp.]
A very pretty effect can be secured by drilling the edges of a reflector
full of small holes about three-sixteenths of an inch apart and then
hanging short strings of beads from the holes. The beads should form a
hanging fringe around the edge of the reflector, and if they are of
glass, a pleasing brilliancy is produced. Figure 293 shows how to make
the reflector.
[Illustration: Fig. 293.—How the Reflector is made.]
The batteries for a miniature lighting plant may be located in a closet,
under a stairway, or in some other out-of-the-way place. Wires from
there may be extended to various parts of the house, such as hallways,
closets, the cellar stairs, over a shaving-mirror in the bath-room or in
any dark corner where a light is often temporarily needed. The wires can
be run behind picture-mouldings or along the surbase and be almost
entirely concealed.
[Illustration: Fig. 294.—A Three-Cell Dry Battery for use in
Hand-Lanterns, etc.]
*Small Batteries* consisting of three small dry cells enclosed in
cardboard box, as shown in Figure 294, are on the market, and may be
bought at prices ranging from thirty to forty cents, depending upon the
size and the maker. One of the most convenient and practical sizes of
this type of battery has the dimensions shown in the illustration, and
with its aid it is possible to construct a number of very useful
electrical novelties and household articles in the shape of portable
electric lamps, etc. These batteries are quite small and are only
intended to operate very small lamps. Only one lamp should be used on
each battery at a time, and it should not be allowed to burn long. Some
of these batteries will give ten to fourteen hours of intermittent
service but if allowed to burn continuously would only light the lamp
for about five hours at the most. It is much the better plan to use them
only for a few minutes at a time, and then turn the light off and allow
the battery to recuperate.
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