For some time the exterior security lighting for the MP building had been reduced to one working lamp. The light fittings utilise a self ballasting mecury vapour bulb which, not surprisingly, is no longer available. To complicate matters further, the bulb is an uncommon format which was not easily replaced.
We found that a PAR38 lamp with an Edison Screw extender would fit (the bulb socket is sprung loaded to draw the bulb up against a waterproofing gasket) – the gasket was mostly not there anymore and definitely not waterproof. Fortunately, the lamps are downward facing. So with the extender and sprung socket, the PAR38 bulbs fitted nicely. We obtained some LED lamps and extenders. The lamp protector cages on the fittings were rusty; these were rust treated and painted.
Previously we had replaced two of the easily reached lamps ( on the East and West decks ); today it was the turn of the two at the front of the building. Even though they were tantalising close to being reached from the tearoom windows – they were a stretch too far. So a ladder job it was.
There wasn’t an ideal footing for the ladder, so we had two volunteers stabilise the base, and the top was roped to the internal bars across the tearoom windows. With the ladder tied off, Dave ZL1DL, who drew the short straw, scaled the stairway to heaven and also secured himself to the bars.
With the advantage of being harnessed, Dave was able to use both hands to wrestle the original protector cages off and remove the old bulbs. The replacement bulbs were fitted after adding the extenders which were treated to help protect them from oxidation.
A quick test showed both lamps were working, so it was back down the ladder, clean away and upstairs for a coffee!
