Can I Power a Tailight w/9 Volt Battery?

[pekoe1111]

I have a '66 convertible, but thought I would go to the boards for this slightly car-related issue:

I have a guitar on which I have mounted a tail light bulb from an old car - see photo, not likely a Mustang. It is the "push in and turn 1/4 turn" type with two small pins on the base. It has two wires coming out the bottom.

Do you think I can power this light with a 9 volt battery? Perhaps buy the little cap thingy that clips to the top battery posts?

Thanks!

BB

 

[DukeGnarley]

It should work. It won't be as bright, but that's probably a good thing.

 

[zigmont]

It will light up, but don't expect the battery to last more then about 30 minutes. A better setup might be a LED from Radio Shack.

 

[Skymarshal]

It will light the bulb dimly, but I don't think it would last even 30 minutes. The bulb draws several amps, and the battery is intended to drive loads that draw hundreds of times less power.

It's like asking if your car will run off the gas tank from a chain saw. Yes it will- for a few minutes.

 

[pekoe1111]

Thanks!

Good to know! I hooked it up and it does work. Just need any easy way to turn it on for a few minutes to show it off!

Note the old Ford ammeter gauge!