Marx light tower

one of the power supply nuts is NOT insulated from the metal body. This is the "ground/common". The other power supply nut connects to both wires on the underside which go up the stalk and into the rear of the lamp housing. That carries the "hot" side.

So all I need to do is run 2 wires up the stack and solder then to the light bases and connect to the bottom of base and I should be good to go

Sounds like you got it!

Thanks much

Jeff -- I have two of these Marx light towers and both have two wires going up the middle of the tower.  However, in both cases, one wire goes to the center of one of the light bulbs and then there is a short jumper going to the center of the other bulb.  The second wire goes to the frame at the top of the tower (near the hand rail in one case).  I presume that was done to provide a better 'ground' connection than relying on the contacts made between the tower top, the tower and the tower base.  All of those elements are painted and as you know, the connections between them are simply tabs inserted into slots and then the tab has a slight twist to established a mechanical 'lock' so it doesn't come apart.  I haven't checked the resistance between the top and the bottom to see if there is a good connection.  I've always thought I'd rewire these towers to just have one wire going up the center of the tower (and hot glued into the corner of the tower to conceal the wire) and then rely on having a good electrical connection between top and bottom.  Haven't done that yet - its on my 'not very high priority' 'round tuit list.

When I looked at it I thought the 2 wires were one for power and one for ground. But looking closer both wires were connected to the bulbs. One one each base. I have a Lionel tower that works that way using the structure for the ground but it doesn’t make that great of a ground and the lights are not very bright. Would it work to run 2 wires up to the top and use one wire to connect to the bulbs with a jumper going to the second bulb and the second wire use as a ground. Is my understanding of what you said correct or am I off. Thanks for your reply

Thanks all for the good advice. I did it and it actually works. I’m impressed 

Now that I have this tower rewired I need light bulbs. It uses ge428 screw base bulb. Didn’t realize they were so hard to find. Googled the number and did find some places. One wanted almost $10 for one bulb. I did see on Amazon they had replacement bulbs that were led. Has anyone used these led bulbs or know where I can find the 428 bulb without destroying my wallet?

Jeff - sorry I missed your question -- but it sounds like you are all set.  If you find some LED replacement bulbs, let us know.  That's something I've wanted to do (also on the round tuit list).  As you've discovered the bulbs don't screw into a socket (just into and through the reflector which is the ground side) but the "power" side is hard-wired - which might make using an LED bulb easier (?)

Here are an inexpensive 428 bulb sources:

https://www.bulbtown.com/428_M...b_E10_Base_p/428.htm

http://stores.towncountryhobbi...=428&x=0&y=0

You can also get away with the 14 or 18V versions, 430 & 432 respectively.

If looking for LED, I would recommend this 432WW supplier:

http://stores.towncountryhobbies.com/led-432ww/

The tower I have the bulbs do screw into a socket. The hot wire is soldered onto the back of the socket. Also found led bulbs on Amazon. Searched ge428 bulb and they came up