How can I fix my Artemide Tizio lamps?

My 1986 Tizio was buzzing and sparking and then stopped working. One of the lower snap joints was getting hot so this was probably the culprit.
I disassembled the lamp and carefully cleaned all the contacts, but this was not enough. Prym makes snap joints in the same size so I decided to replace the faulty one. The original had to be drilled out and I fitted the replacement using a pop rivet, after carefully cleaning all the contact surfaces.
The lamp is perfect again.

Marcello
September 2019

Hi, I managed to turn this into an LED device. However that required quite some mechanical changes. The bulb is being replaced by a 10 W, 11 V LED, eBay, $3, mounted directly on the silver reflector, using it as heat sink. The transformer is completely eliminated, used only as weight. The back socket gets a 5.5 mm jack and the supply is a 10 V 2 amp switched power supply. $5. This creates a very nice white light and the light head stays only warm to touch.

Richard
September 2016

For Dave, U.S. and for the person who asked:

"...exactly how do I get at the fuse in the base of my Tizio?"

as no one answered, here goes.

You have to prise off the bit at the bottom that sits on the desk and allows the rest to rotate. It pops off reasonably easily if you lever it around the edge.

Do that and you will see a fuse holder. Unscrew that and fit a new fuse.

By the way, for spares, I recommend light11.eu:

https://www.light11.eu/artemide/spare-parts-for-tizio-50-black.html

Good price and inexpensive, and very quick delivery.

I bought a new head for mine. Much better design and construction than the original.

At a total price of €82,50, it was cheaper than buying anything remotely like the wonderful Tizio.

Anyone know hot to turn it into an LED light?

Michael Kenward
June 2016

I have a post 1993 Tizio 50 that doesn't have any DC output at the connectors. Is there a fuse?

Dave, U.S.
April 2016

Hi all

I am the Technical Manager at Artemide GB Ltd

If you are having problems with a Tizio or Tolomeo, just give me a call and I will help you resolve it

Thanks
Glenn

0207-631-5200

Glenn Castle
March 2016

Thanks Phil (and others) I managed tot get two Tizio's from 1985 back in business after 15 years storage. But both stil buzzing and unsufficient lightpower from the bulb. What Osram H1 type should i use?
I bought spareparts at light11.nl or .de. Very good supplier!
Still looking for metal weightpart in the head and single plastic cap (yes, desintegrated bij heat and UV). Succes everybody, Tizio 's are iconic and worth it

elbert waal
January 2015

When replacing the bulb in a pre 1993 Tizio (the ones that use the H1 type car headlight bulb) look for one that blocks most of the UV light (Osram, for one). The bulbs were developed when plastic lenses started to be used on cars. These older bulbs emitted UV radiation that caused the plastic to degrade (also your skin). This is also the reason why the later Tizio lamps which use a different two pin bulb have a glass lens.

Phil
November 2014

Usually if you are getting flickering the offending joint will get hot due to resistance. If this happens unplug the lamp and pry the arm off the swivel at that side using a thin flat blade screwdriver. If the pivot area is getting hot it is often due to the rivet that holds the outer swivel snap connection being slightly loose. Place the arm flat down on a piece of softwood, and gently tap the rivet inside the snap connection with a suitable punch and hammer. Snap the arm back together and switch on. If the swivel still get warm repeat the operation. This should solve the problem. Don't be heavy handed with the hammer.
Also if a light isn't working and a voltmeter doesn't detect power at the lowest swivel take a look and the fuse in the base which can be accessed by unscrewing the small round cover plate with a coin. If the fuse is blown replace with a matching size 1 amp similar fuse.

Phil
November 2014

http://www.momentumcardiff.com/
Apparently will repair the Tizio - I haven't actually used them yet

distefano
October 2014

Does anyone know an electrician in the Midlands who will mend my tisio for me at a reasonable price?

Anne
November 2013

I followed Lubeandgo idea to clean the pivots. I substituted alcohol and Q tips for the Servisol. Some of the Q tips removed lots of dirt .The Tizio lamp now works great with a steady light -no cutting out with the movement of the lamp.

dave Mackay
August 2013

We are a small electrical shop in wolverhampton we stock the artemide tizio replacement bulbs complete for £3.99, we have been informed by a customer that these are no easy to find, and usually a lot more expensive than our price.

Geo.E.Davies electrical
65 trysull road,
bradmore,
wolverhampton,
WV3 7 JG

Mrs.Davies (manager)
April 2013

I have added this image, I hope it helps. This is a great forum.
http://m1191.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/garnetlake/tiziofix.jpg.html?o=0

Mike
March 2013

I solder a wire to the new bulb base plate and then crimp on a fastener which attaches behind the nut on the threaded rod. I find this makes the best ground for this application. Eliminates all buzzing and arcing. Bulletproof fix.

Mike
March 2013

To change a bulb in a 1970's Tizio like mine the trick is to free the reflector and then ease the ends of the spindle out of the two holes in the sides of the head and then pull the spindle right out freeing up all the parts. Then you can replace the bulb. I got a 12v 55W car headlight bulb with the same base plate as the original bulb for £7.99 from Halfords. Reassembly was easy.

Richard Silverman
February 2013

i gave up.bought a new one.paid about 200.00 20 yrs. ago.10 bucks a year is not bad.

jersey frank
September 2012

I fixed mine by running a speaker wire from the first hinge to the last hinge(each wire on corresponding sides of course). it has worked perfect for 3 years, but I would like to fix the problem. the problem is the lamp doesn't make clean contact at the pivot points so it constantly blinks and cuts out. any idea how to tighten these up without damaging anything?

Handerson
July 2012

Holy Pete:

Have like problem with our Tisio and sounds like a modified new head is the only answer for a long term cure. Is installing a new head something someone with generally reasonable knowledge can replace the new head and anyone know of the cost for a new modified head and where someone can get one in Vancouver BC? Interesting that there is a world Wide indication of a failing of these lamps.

Ron
January 2012

Hi,

Does anybody know a dealer selling a complete head unit, for the Classic Tizio lamp? (In the UK.)

A few people have left links to various sites, on here, but none are in the UK. (Or, are no longer trading.)

Nick
December 2011

I just fixed mine. Here is what I did. My dad and I were about to take the whole thing apart and decided to put a meter to the rivets first. While checking the voltage i stuck the meter probe into the two lowest rivets, into it not on the surface. when I did it would turn on. It seems the pressure on the rivet on the inside was not enough to make good contact. I pushed left and right while the probe was in the rivet hole and it works.

Rich

Rich Izzi
November 2011

Try this web site.
http://www.light11.eu/Artemide/Spare-parts-for-Tizio-50-black.html

Barry B
October 2011

I have the same problems with my Tizio lamp head as mentioned by Mike T. Bautz above.

I want to take up Mike's suggestion by getting a new lamp head. But my problem is how to remove the old head and replace it with the new one. Mike said, I quote: "Since the lamp head is only snapped on with two buttons it is very simple to replace the whole part. It'll cost you $50 plus shipping. Best way to fix and enhance these lamps IMHO ...

Mike T. Bautz
November 2007"

Can anyone give me a more detailed step by step description on how to do take out the old head and replace a new one by a lay person like me.

Thanks

Kah

Kah Tang
October 2011

Problem is with wire that connects bulb in head.
Make sure wire is not touching metal or has any bare spots. You can reverse wire for better fit.
That is the whole problem. Buzzing should go away.
Also make sure all connections on arm are tight.
Head is sensitive handle with care!

classicplastic
April 2011

Problem: light mostly didn't work, though pushing the lamp about would make it come on for a moment or two. Even after dismantling the poppers and reassembling, I still had problems. Eventually I traced these to the male part of the poppers: these are rivetted to the aluminium (I think) struts. I had to unscrew them, drill out some of the rivets (I checked which using an ohmmeter), and make up fine copper wire washers to ensure that the popper actually connected to the aluminium electrically as well as mechanically when screwed back on. And now it's working.

Leslie Smith
March 2011

exactly how do I get at the fuse in the base of my Tizio?
Anyone ever have the transformer go bad?

DON
February 2011

how do I change the light bulb in my Tizio desk lamp?

Stuart
December 2010

The comment "I have the old Tizio with riveted connections to the head, so dismantling is not an option." may be misleading.

It may look like the head on my Tizio is riveted, but on my very old lamp in reality it is a "popper". The connector uses the same principle as those used on clothing.

If you carefully insert a blade between the metal part on the head – it needs to be as close to the head as possible – and the black "popper" you can twist the blade and the arm will pop off the head. Don't use a lot of force, just take it carefully.

Michael Kenward
December 2010

I have the old Tizio with riveted connections to the head, so dismantling is not an option.

I have found that switch contact lubricant sprayed into all of the pivot points works a treat. Just spray and wiggle it a bit. Do all of them - they all have the same problem.

Clearly it's a fix not a repair, but it saves a lot of time. The spray I use is called Servisol. I have seen posts on other sites suggesting this and it seems to work well

lubeandgo
April 2010

The repair can be done; I just did two. It is easy once you know how, and requires special tools:
1) Pop the head off the fixture with a flat screwdriver.
2) Open the head, remove the bulb, the counterweight, and the wire.
3) Next to the outside nut (on the shaft), jam a small screwdriver to create friction.
4) Use a small wrench (5mm) to loosen the inside nut.
5) Remove shaft from head.
6) Using wire brush on rotary tool, restore shaft to shiny metal.
7) Using rotary tool, remove oxidation and carbon inside sheet metal conducting surface.
8) Reassemble.

Total time: 10 minutes (once you know how).

Onerous Ethic
January 2010

By the way, the bulbs are motor car bulbs. Take the old on to you motor accesories store and you'll find that they cost about a third the price that you'll pay at a lighting store

john
December 2008

I have three and every 2 or 3 months I have to rebuild the head! Enough! I'm going tyo buy three new heads. Question is, are they a better design!

John bailey
December 2008

I have the same problems and found a site
http://www.artemidestore.com/?page=shop/tizio_repair&keyword=tizio&model=classictableblack
that has replacement parts. If it is not the bulb then I guess the transformer is bad. You can buy one at this site for $150

Gregory Han
December 2007

Well, since I am a local "tame electronics/computer wizard" over here I fixed the old lamp head once (you can do it by soldering onto the metal part that over time gets damaged by electrical discharges). But due to the *very* poor design of the old lamp head the problem will come back.

Here's why: Since there are pretty strong DC currents involved even tiny gaps in the bulb mount will cause sparks to fly and the erosion of the metal will continue. It shows up with buzzing sounds in the lamp head accompanied by flickering of the light. Repairing cannot fix the poor design of the old lamp head: even if you manage to fix it so that *initially* there are no gaps in the bulb mount all is not well! The lamp head gets pretty hot during normal use and this will cause gaps to reappear due to the expansion of metal parts in the lamp head.

Also, when trying to repair the old design, a small inaccuracy in reassembling the lamp head may induce a shortening that causes catastrophic damage (melting) to the transformer and switch assembly in the base of the Tizio. The spare base unit will cost you at least $150 for one lamp.

So, unless you are an electronics wizard yourself my recommendation to buy the new lamp head with its overall improved design still stands.

Mike T. Bautz
November 2007

I had the same problem with my 25 years old original Tizio 50. The problem comes from damage to the lamp holder caused by electrical discharges that eat away at the very thin metal part. It's no use trying to fix it: believe me, I tried! It may cause a shortening that can melt down several parts inside the base of the lamp.
My advice: order a complete new head for the lamp. The design of the head has been redone in the 1990s and the new version is much better and doesn't suffer from this problem anymore. Also, it uses a new type of standard bulb that is easier to find than the old one. You can find the head and any other part of the classic Tizio here:

http://www.artemidestore.com/?page=shop/tizio_repair&keyword=tizio&model=classictableblack

Since the lamp head is only snapped on with two buttons it is very simple to replace the whole part. It'll cost you $50 plus shipping. Best way to fix and enhance these lamps IMHO ...

Mike T. Bautz
November 2007

I had the same problem and took it to my local tame electronics/computer wizard who likes that sort of problem. He sorted it out and it now works properly again but commented that the design of the electrical components was not the best he'd seen!

David Bannister
November 2007