Johanan Pandone Posted December 19, 2022 Share Posted December 19, 2022 Hey guys, I want to build some batten lights like this: The porcelain sockets seem sturdy but too heavy. The plastic ones seem too fragile. What is the best bulb socket to use as far as weight to strength ratio? Link please (if possible) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted December 20, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted December 20, 2022 It's not the fragility that matters much -- the bulb is more fragile than the plastic socket -- it's the heat limitation. Most plastic sockets now have a warning label to not use more than a 60w tungsten bulb in them though if you turn off the light between takes, you can go higher. And of course, an LED bulb equivalent to a 60w tungsten bulb is much lower in wattage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Jay Young Posted January 26, 2023 Premium Member Share Posted January 26, 2023 You could probably use the plastic sockets with a little black wrap heat shield if you wanted a higher wattage bulb. I've been having a great difficult time finding affordable porcelain sockets - if stores have them at all these days. I've used plastic to build all of my battens in recent months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanan Pandone Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 3 hours ago, Jay Young said: You could probably use the plastic sockets with a little black wrap heat shield if you wanted a higher wattage bulb. I've been having a great difficult time finding affordable porcelain sockets - if stores have them at all these days. I've used plastic to build all of my battens in recent months. these are $4.00 a pop, but they're porcelain and the ease of mounting is what appeals to me: Satco 80/2164 Medium Base Socket E26 Surface Mount Porcelain 6" Leads Sign Receptacle (lighting2lightbulbs.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanan Pandone Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 or these (650w) 10pcs Ceramic Standard Medimun Screw Base Socket E26 E27 Bulb Holders With Wire for Hot Halogen Bulb (E26 10pcs) - - Amazon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dunn Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 15 hours ago, Johanan Pandone said: or these (650w) 10pcs Ceramic Standard Medimun Screw Base Socket E26 E27 Bulb Holders With Wire for Hot Halogen Bulb (E26 10pcs) - - Amazon.com Those are cheap, but as you note, no mounting holes so the rig would be rather more makeshift. They also have crimped-on leads so the wiring might not be so easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Sprenger Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 I have had good experiences with metal screw bases. Lighter than the ceramic ones and a lot less annoying in terms of handling. The ceramic ones often often break when some force is applied, as in someone drops it during rigging. Maybe the ones I have found over here were a lot cheaper and of inferior quality, but no store bought ceramic e27 socket I have tried up till now was really fun to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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