Rewiring a Gone With the Wind lamp, or The Night Light Went Out in Georgia

In this video, Ruidomo and I rewire a Gone With the Wind lamp. This style became popular when the movie featured Victorian style oil lamps and truly hundreds of different types have been made over the past 80 years. Most of these lamps have a night light bulb in the base, and as usually happens when one is brought to the Lab, the customer had no idea it was a night light lamp.

[@raymondharrell2534]

How timely was this video for me in 2024. Not the electrical portion (former electrical engineer), but the tips and tricks for re-assembly. The lock-tite, silicon, pulling wire technique were all priceless. Thank you for making my re-assembly that much better and safer. Everyone looking at this be very careful 2-way vs 3-way vs 3 terminal switch MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

[@BronZeage]

@@raymondharrell2534 You are very welcome.

[@johnpackwood4779]

I have a black cat. I see yours is just a big help as mine.

[@BronZeage]

Ruidomo is in charge of quality control and inspection of new customers.

[@doycemoore5449]

I need to know what wire goes were on the socket there is an extra white and black wire for the night light and this video does not show a close up or explain it.

[@BronZeage]

Please watch this video for a much better explanation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@AW-jw2jd]

The cat is hilarious! I watched him more than anything. He took off with a piece of the lamp! Everyone needs a helper like that! LOL!

[@BronZeage]

Ruidomo appreciates your kind words.

[@AlphanPeter]

My mom has a blue light lamp like this one . Nice cat !

[@BronZeage]

Ruidomo says thank you.

[@marsharish8132]

That is really cool! Rui seems to be a good helper!

[@grantwriter7777]

3 screws, 2 position switch at 3:00 I've been hunting for this!! Lots of Antique lamps have a night-light and a reading light, and THREE wires!! Eureka! This is the socket! Love his gentle voice, and the marvelous cat!! Wish he'd list the parts and suppliers. lI went to HomeD and 3 kind, helpful electricians held a debate over what socket to buy, and then wandered away, without describing the socket needed!! High Tech!! Mine has a night-light turtle on the bottom, and a reading light on the top.

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much. I buy most of my parts from Grandbrass.com

[@yifangchen4558]

Thank you for showing how the hurricane light works. I did not know the bottom part can be lighted as well.

[@BronZeage]

You are very welcome

[@jazonco]

Great video thanks Bron! Lamp works like new now! Great wiring explanation in the comments. My lamp wires were not looped either thanks!

[@BronZeage]

You are very welcome.

[@marilanderos977]

This is very helpful. I’m requiring a 70s one I’ve had since I was a teenager.

[@BronZeage]

If you have any questions, please message me.

[@lisas.426]

Great job!

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much.

[@jennifereldredge7509]

This video is so informative and love the cat helper. But I wish you did a close-up on the actual wiring. Do you wrap it around the screw? I have a Hollywood Regency style lamp that has 4 wires, so I am trying to figure it out. Thanks for the video.

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much. Please watch this video for a better description of the wiring at the socket: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@nashrunner456]

But which wires go on which terminals? This part seems so uncertain. Thanks.

[@BronZeage]

The cord has a smooth wite and a ridged wire. The night light has 2 wires. The socket has a silver screw, a brass screw and a black screw. The ridged wire and one night light wire go under the silver screw. The smooth wire goes under the brass screw. The other night light wire goes under the black screw.

[@AugustSchunk]

Thanks for the great video. I just picked up a matching pair of these with the upper globes and chimneys. I don't know if mine have the small light at the bottom. If they don't I plan on adding it. I might use LEDs if I can.

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much. Every lamp of this style I have seen has a night light base. Led bulbs for candelabra sockets are available in all watt ratings.

[@AugustSchunk]

@@BronZeage I verified they do have the nightlights. I am only missing the switch knobs

[@BronZeage]

@@AugustSchunk They are common hardware items. GWTW lamps usually need an extended one. They'll be called "keys".

[@AlphanPeter]

A question can change the lamp in ordinary switch and remove night light from the bottom. And could still use it ?

[@BronZeage]

Certainly. A lot of the GWTW lamps brought to the Lab are missing the night light and the owner doesn't know it was ever there. A 1-way, or 3-way socket will fit in place of the original.

[@williambishop4692]

You unscrewed the switch for the lamp. My switch just spins forward or backward but does not release from the threads I assume are there and I would like to salvage the old metal switch that was part of the fixture. Is there a way to remove switch so I can continue with replacing the socket without damaging the old metal switch. Thanks for the video it was very informative.

[@BronZeage]

@@williambishop4692 if you are referring to the socket interior, that can be replaced and the shell reused.

[@laurademarco5070]

I have a 3 terminal socket for a midcentury glass Lamp with nightlight. My terminal screws have no color they are all silver. And my lamp cord does not have a rigid and smooth side. It seems to be the original if not at least very old but it's in great shape. Should I replace these items anyway?

[@BronZeage]

I would certainly replace the cord and the socket. A cord without a ridged side is over 50 years old. The color on the screws can deteriorate with age. There's no reason to put a lamp back together with old parts, when new parts are available and inexpensive.

[@juancarlosmontes]

I'm glad the lamp worked at the end but I'm still worried about the component the cat stole when you weren't looking.

[@BronZeage]

He wanted to use it on a lamp he was rewiring.

[@raymondharrell2534]

The cat stole the cardboard insulation sleeve. I am sure he put it back in before closing it up. If not, use good old electrician tape and wrap the socket where the screws and terminals are to insulate. Many old school electricians do that in addition to the cardboard sleeve ( belt and suspenders). You just can’t put a lot of tape on it as it will be difficult to slide back together.

[@charlescharles8623]

I have that lamp, now I have to do what you did. OH BOY!

[@BronZeage]

All in a days work in the Secret Underground Laboratory. Next week's video is another lamp rewire.

[@Clare3522]

Cat stole the show!

[@lauraswan8647]

I bought an antique parlor lamp last year from an older couple. The top lights up, but looks like the bottom doesn't. I just want to make sure how do I find out if the bottom has a light socket , and how do I unscrew the whole thing to find out. It's got some cables on the bottom, but I tried unscrewing the whole lamp from its base and it just doesn't open. Ps. The switch on top clicks once. The switch on the bottom of the base clicks twice and it controls the top , but I don't know if the bottom has a socket same way

[@BronZeage]

If this lamp was made with a night light, it will be plain to see by looking ar the bottom. There will be a 1 inch hole in the base which holds a clip in socket. It's common to find old lamps that were rewired and the night light left out. A night light lamp will have the lamp cord and the night light wires coming out of the center pipe.

[@lauraswan8647]

@@BronZeage i see, OK this one doesn't have a night light. Thanks 😊

[@BronZeage]

@@lauraswan8647 You are very welcome. Please check my other lamp videos. I try to cover many different types.

[@lauraswan8647]

@@BronZeage i sure will check them out. I love antique looking lamps . My house looks primitive and I just love Victorian times the same 😊

[@robertrusche8039]

Do both of the wires from the night light go to the middle screw?

[@BronZeage]

Yes. There will be 2 wires on the silver screw. Please watch this video for a better explanation of the wiring. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaacsi=OfblURpZBXbQh-LT

[@pearllozano633]

This is just the type of lamp I am trying to repair , but I dont know what wires go attached to which screw. and which wires go together. because only 3 screws and 4 wires does it matter???

[@BronZeage]

It matters very much. If everything is as the Lamp Gods intended, your lamp cord will have a smooth side and a ridged side. The night light will have a black wire and a white wire. The lamp socket has a silver screw, a brass screw, and a black screw. The smooth side of the lamp cord goes to the brass screw. The black night light wire goes to the black screw. The ridged wire and the white wire both go on the silver screw. I hope this helps.

[@pearllozano633]

@@BronZeage Yes Thank You So much!! I will see how it goes will let you know if it works.

[@BronZeage]

@@pearllozano633 You are very welcome.

[@chadmelrose9575]

@@BronZeage Thank you for the explanation of what wires go where. My antique lamp now works perfectly. Very much appreciated.

[@BronZeage]

@@chadmelrose9575 you are very welcome .

[@angelagregory9419]

Question the casing the kitty took off with... what is that ? And what is it made of ? It goes around the socket. Could it be made of asbestos?

[@BronZeage]

@@angelagregory9419 It was the cardboard insulator that goes around the socket shell and quite harmless.

[@angelagregory9419]

@@BronZeage thank you so much for responding. I have a similar lamp and was worried that piece was asbestos. It's original to the lamp

[@BronZeage]

@@angelagregory9419 Asbestos is likely to be found in old appliances such as space heaters, ovens, and hair dryers. I've never seen asbestos in a light fixture and when you compare the cost of asbestos to cardboard, I doubt any lamp manufacturer would use it when it wasn't absolutely necessary.

[@orkieee4681]

can you show us how the wireing combo goes. I'm rewiring mine but not sure of which wires go together. i could just experiement i suppose

[@BronZeage]

I have another GWTW lamp video posting on the 19th, which has a very specific wiring instructions. In the meantime, The cord has a smooth wire and a ridged wire. The night light has 2 wires. The socket has a silver screw, a brass screw and a black screw. The ridged wire and one night light wire go under the silver screw. The smooth wire goes under the brass screw. The other night light wire goes under the black screw.

[@lorrinamitchell8580]

The look on Ruidomo's face when you set the globe aside lest it get knocked over by a cat is priceless, lol. Some good electrical wiring tips shared here. Educational and informative. "Gone With The Wind" was one of my favorite movies, even though it is representative of the historical inequalities that persist, even unto today. I am a fan of historical architecture and wardrobe.

[@BronZeage]

Ruidomo knows when people talk about him, though he tries to pretend he doesn't.

[@mw10259]

@@BronZeage Bought a 3 way replacement socket with only two terminals , third one is blank with no screw. Question : can I drill a hole in it and use it for a third terminal ? Wish the package said " two terminal 3 way socket. I have an antique " gone with the wind lamp " with the same set up as yours.

[@BronZeage]

@@mw10259 The regular 3way socket will not work in a night light lamp. What you need is a 3 terminal socket. This socket has 3 terminal screws. A light socket should never be modified in any way. It creates a danger of electric shock or a fire.

[@mw10259]

@@BronZeage Thank you for the reply and the advice. I ordered the right one from Amazon. For some reason Lowes and Home Depot don't carry it

[@n1tf360]

My bottom night light is not working on mine. Yes, the bulb is good. Any suggestions? Thank you. (I did drop it)

[@BronZeage]

If the bulb is good, the socket interior has failed. This socket interior is called a "3 terminal 2 circuit socket".

[@BarbHanby]

I have a lamp like this but the metal part where the top globe sits on it crooked. Do you have any idea how I can straighten it? Thanks.

[@BronZeage]

Its fairly light weight metal. I recommend you disassemble the lamp so you aren't working with the glass. You should be able to reshape it by hand.

[@cocacolagrl100]

The cat! 🐈‍⬛ lol

[@BronZeage]

Riu appreciates it very much

[@markwagner9]

what wires go where? wished you explained it better

[@BronZeage]

Watch this video for a better explanation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@esmeraldadavis2468]

I have a lamp that has this night light but I took it apart and now I don't know how to wire it back,I've tried but can't get it back to working again.i don't have new parts to redo the lamp but the old parts is still good I just need to figure out how to wire it back up..can you help me please?

[@BronZeage]

Sure. The main socket has 3 screw terminals. They are color coded, silver, brass, and black. The lamp cord has ridges on one side and the other is smooth. The smooth side goes under the brass screw. The ridged side goes under the silver screw. The night light will have a black wire and a white wire. If both wires are the same color, pick one to be white. It doesn't matter for this type of lamp. The white wire goes under the silver screw. The black wire goes under the black screw. This video shows a better view of rewiring the socket.

[@rachel-tj7dx]

Thank you :)

[@gingerg1113]

We bought a chandelier in Spain and it of course doesn’t match our wiring is it easy to wire or should we rewire the whole thing with American wiring or can I just send it to you in for a charge you can rewire it?

[@BronZeage]

Certainly. We rewire a lot of European chandeliers to US standards.

[@phaedraharmon7098]

I have to do this to a similar lamp but I can’t even get the pieces to come apart!

[@BronZeage]

A penetrating oil such as liquid wrench will make it easier to remove the bottom nut on the lamp pipe. If the nut is rounded off and the wrench can't grip it, I use a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel to remove it.

[@Silversmoke1000]

As challenging as this was (I had to go back and forth between both your videos on GWTW lamp rewiring because I did not have a hickey socket but needed the wiring tips from the second video as well as the tips for a regular three terminal socket) I was unable to finish this project. I finally got the wiring done and then when I desperately needed to see how you stuffed everything back into the lamp to line up with the key the video all of a sudden presto chango and it's magically done without an explanation or visual. You didn't even show us how to properly get the socket to where the key lined up with the socket. Because I did not use a hickey socket the other video was really of no use to me. The way my lamp looks now I don't even see how the socket can be pushed down any farther altho it sure needs to be. I wanted to throw the lamp straight out the window. So here I sit, almost done except for that key step. I'd sure hate to have to go to a lamp repair place after I came this far. I'm sure because you do this all the time you must just assume that even these basic steps are clear to a first-timer but they really are not. If you still answer comments over here I'd love to know how to finish up this stupid lamp project now without going to a lamp repair person. Signed, Pulling My Hair Out.

[@BronZeage]

A hickey socket is preferred because of the problem you found snapping a shell socket back together. Please watch this video, in which I tried to overcome the shortcomings of the first GWTW lamp video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@Silversmoke1000]

@@BronZeage Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I will try it again with the hickey socket.

[@BronZeage]

@@Silversmoke1000 If you need more assistance please feel to message me.

[@Silversmoke1000]

@@BronZeage Thanks, I def will. You wouldn't think it would be hard to find that 3 terminal hickey socket in Vegas but it looks like I will be ordering it online and waiting a few days before I get back to my project.

[@tiastarr5003]

I have a 3 terminal lamp where only the bottom night light comes on. Should I replace the whole socket? I cant find any problems with the lamp otherwise. Everything looks fine. Someone mentioned that I need to use a special 3 way bulb in it. Could that be the problem? 3 terminal sockets arent sold where I live :(

[@BronZeage]

If you are certain the bulb is good, and the night light works, the socket is the problem. Lamp parts such as sockets are available online.

[@suzydazy]

It’s all good except he doesn’t explain which wire goes to what screw. I’ve tried positive to gold screw and the other positive to brass screw then tie the 2 neutrals together and put on silver screw . It’s not working properly so not sure if it’s wire positions or my 3 terminal socket is bad Could anyone else let me know their opinion?

[@BronZeage]

I really feel bad that I wasn't more specific about the wiring at the socket in this video. If you watch any of my later lamp videos, including another GWTW night light lamp. Lamp wiring is not a matter of opinion. If you doubt a socket, throw it away. A three terminal socket has a brass screw, a silver screw and a black screw. The cord will have a side with ridges and a smooth side. The nightlight will have a white wire and a black wire. The ridge wire and the white wire go to the silver screw. the smooth wire goes to the brass screw. The black wire goes to the black screw.

[@annemariebridges1459]

So both the lightbulb wires go under the "top" screw and the both the wires for the night light go under the "bottom" screw????

[@BronZeage]

I have another GWTW lamp video posting on the 19th, which has a very specific wiring instructions. In the meantime, The cord has a smooth wire and a ridged wire. The night light has 2 wires. The socket has a silver screw, a brass screw and a black screw. The ridged wire and one night light wire go under the silver screw. The smooth wire goes under the brass screw. The other night light wire goes under the black screw.

[@annemariebridges1459]

@@BronZeage I only have 2 brass screws

[@BronZeage]

@@annemariebridges1459 This is the wrong socket for a night light lamp. A night light socket has 3 screws. Silver, brass and black.

[@charlesbanks7244]

Didn't show were the four wires went which terminal???

[@BronZeage]

Check this video for a better explanation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@kcapple2006]

It has 4 wires, I don't understand how you connect to the 3 connect socket, where does the rest of the wire go? I'm trying to replace my gwtw lamp socket and wires.

[@BronZeage]

There will be 2 wires on the silver screw on the socket. The white night light wire and the ridged cord wire go on the silver screw. The black night light wire goes on the black screw. The smooth cord wire goes on the brass screw. I hope this helps.

[@kcapple2006]

@@BronZeage Thank you so much for the quick reply! Can you make a video about how to change the pump of the rain oil lamp? I would appreciate it.

[@BronZeage]

@@kcapple2006 If I had a customer bring in a rain lamp, it would certainly be a video. I've repaired many rain lamps. The problem with rain lamps is the oil catches dust which forms a sludge in the bottom, and eventually clogs the pump and jams the motor. If the motor and pump are cleaned, you can expect them to work again. The motor is very simple and very low power. The slightest resistance will stop it from turning.

[@kcapple2006]

Thank you for those tips. I wished I live close by to you.

[@BronZeage]

@@kcapple2006 If you are ever visiting Baton Rouge, stop by and see me.

[@Zanewv]

He didn't explain what wire goes to what screw

[@BronZeage]

Please watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@alimhossain1073]

Nice

[@BronZeage]

Thank you very much.

[@kimberlytracy03]

Really could have told us which wire goes to which screw!

[@BronZeage]

I regret that more than my second marriage. Please forgive me and watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyd6ZmlNJqaac

[@danlinsey8722]

Old school! DO NOT wire a kerosene lamp with anything but LED lamps and DO NOT destroy its original integrity of being able to burn kerosene. LED lamps can be installed where NO holes or ALTERATIONS of the original lamp have to take place!

[@BronZeage]

Im not sure what your concern is about this lamp, but it was never an oil lamp.

[@Wanamaker1946]

I didn’t correct my last comment to illustrate just how easy it is for me to reverse things or install backward. I would make us all a clear diagram as to where and why this wire goes here and that wire has to go there. ....yes, very dumb I am, and that’s why we need you to be explicit. Lol

[@BronZeage]

I'm sure you are not dumb. A diagram would be helpful, but I'll repeat the wiring rules. The lamp cord has two wires. One is marked with a ridge and the other is smooth. The night light socket had a black and a white wire. A night light lamp socket has 3 terminals, a brass screw, a silver screw, and a black screw. The smooth cord wire goes under the brass screw. The black night light wire goes under the black screw. The ridged wire and the white night light wire go under the silver screw.

[@chuckinmontana]

@@BronZeage What if there is no black terminal? I see a brass-colored screw terminal and directly across from it is a nearly identical nickel/silver screw terminal. Then, at 90 degrees is another silver-looking terminal with a guard(?) of some type. So which one of the two silver-looking terminals is analogous to your black terminal? Thanks!

[@BronZeage]

@@chuckinmontana I just took a look through my parts cabinet. I have a couple different types of 3-terminal night light sockets. All of them have the black screw opposite the silver screw. If you have a continuity tester or an ohmmeter, you can determine the correct silver screw. There will be a direct connection between the silver screw and the socket shell. The black screw is connected to the brass screw, through the switch. The connection between black and brass will make and break when the switch is turned. Don't worry about the sequence. I hope this helps.

[@jennybolt445]

I have one with a marble base that some cat chewed the cord and i need to replace the cord

[@BronZeage]

It's pretty straightforward. The new cord will have a smooth side and a side with ridges. The smooth side goes to the brass screw on the socket and the ridge side goes on the silver screw.

[@jennybolt445]

Thanks

[@esmeraldadavis2468]

And it's not a gone with the wind lamp it's just a regular lamp with night light.

[@mdsohagkhan2082]

Wow

[@cpeterson877]

Note To Future KZbin Stars: You Aren't the star- the project is. So watch this video.... Then do exactly the opposite. Frame the project, talk as little as possible. The Work itself is all the explanation you need.

[@BronZeage]

I appreciate your considered and well informed comments. When I have time, I'll visit your channel and comment on some of your videos.

[@cpeterson877]

I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn't realize that you wanted only positive comments .

[@BronZeage]

@@cpeterson877 I value all comments and yours especially.