# How do I wire a Lantern?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-wire-a-lantern/218894>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 14, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-wire-a-lantern/218894 "2003-12-14T04:19:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![blasphmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@blasphmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blasphmer)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-wire-a-lantern/218894/1 "2003-12-14T04:19:07Z")

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I picked up a few iron lanterns similar to [THIS](http://www.dynatechexports.com/gifs/lantern1.jpg) for $10 the other day. About 10-12" tall, 6" wide. (My glass is white frosted, not yellow like in the photo) I was wondering what youi guys have for suggestions in lighting it. Just use a standard bulb?

How about flame. You guys have any suggestions for lighting that simulates that?

Also anyone ever try the “flame” bulbs from Lowes? They aren’t the orange neon bulbs, they’re frosted white like an appliance bulb but claim to be like a candle or sumptin.

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-wire-a-lantern/218894/2 "2003-12-14T05:25:21Z")

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The neon “flame” bulbs I’ve seen in the past had clear envelopes and a flame shaped cathode. The neon glow “flickered” across the cathode. These bulbs don’t really give off much light and are used for atmosphere. If you put them behind frosted glass I don’t know that you’d get much light at all.

The bulbs currently at Lowes may be different than what I described.

Is your lantern already set up for electric?

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**Author:** ![blasphmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@blasphmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blasphmer)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-wire-a-lantern/218894/3 "2003-12-14T05:56:26Z")

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It will be when I’m done with it. BTW the one you describe is just a neon bulb with a “flame shaped” filament. It’s NOT the one at lowes. MAybe I’ll make the girl plug one in…