Good/cheap source for incandescent lights?

[ivaylopg]

Im planning an art project where I will need to create an array of incandescent lights that I will control with a microcontroller interfaced with a computer. I was wondering if anybody had some insight to where I could source a LARGE number of bulbs (about 600 - 1000).

At this stage, I'm not locked-in to DC or AC or even a specific size. I'm open to using anything from flashlight bulbs to automobile indicator lights or fridge/appliance lights. My only requirements are that I want them to be incandescent (not LED or CFL) and that I can find them for no more that $1/bulb (preferably less). Bonus points if I can get compatible sockets also, but ultimately I could just hard-wire them.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[adafruit_support_mike]

Strings of Christmas lights. They might be hard to find this time of year, but the retail price for incandescents works out to about a penny a bulb.

[ivaylopg]

Strings of Christmas lights. They might be hard to find this time of year, but the retail price for incandescents works out to about a penny a bulb.

That's not a bad idea, and I'll look into seeing if I can find anything besides the traditional narrow/pointy shape. I forgot to mention that I'm looking for more of a regular round/spherical lightbulb shape.

[adafruit_support_mike]

A quick search for G40s in white shows a supplier selling them at 53c each:

http://www.1000bulbs.com/category/clear ... ght-bulbs/

and I'm sure you could find a better price buying in volume from a wholesaler. Hit the Philips and GE websites, find a sales contact, and see what kind of deal you can get on a case lot.

[westfw]

Note that 1000 of any reasonable incandescent bulb makes for a lot of power, if many of them will be on at one time. 1000 night-light bulbs (4W each) would be 4000W, after all.

LOTS of candelabra-base bulbs seem to be well under $1. Here are some of those night-light bulbs:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/1088/I ... CL130.html

Christmas lights may still be a good alternative. You can get sockets with wires attached and globe bulbs at prices lower than most "real" lamps:
http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/c7-10 ... s--456.htm
http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/p/G40 ... -18769.htm

[ivaylopg]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the help.

And thanks for the warning about the wattage. I'm not sure if will end up getting all the way up to 1000 bulbs, but either way I will have at least three dedicated 20A/120V lines just for the incandescents, and I'll be splitting the whole array into 3-5 smaller groups with their own fuses.

Thanks again!