Yeah, good point. But considering that one of the doors is off its hinges and laying on the ground, and that there's multiple broken windows, it's not like it was boarded up or there were posted NO TRESPASSING signs...if there were any of those signs or it was locked or the windows were boarded up I wouldn't have broken in. So I basically just walked right in.
It's in rafters like 8-10 feet off the ground and I might look a little conspicuous going over there with a stepladder, and don't feel like doing so at 1 AM LOL. I might go look at it again later this weekend and try to ID it better and formulate a rescue plan. I'm all for doing it honestly and never condone stealing anything out of an abandoned house or building but I've admittedly done it before, and still feel guilty about it, since in reality I COULD have charges pressed against me for theft, burglary, trespassing on private property, etc. But I feel like I could contest any breaking and entering since the places have either been unlocked or had broken windows, doors open or off hinges, etc. So although it's not ethically right, the stuff usually gets destroyed anyway from vandals (Yes, when I was younger I've admittedly thrown rocks through windows, etc.), the ravages of time and roof leaks, or the places are finally demolished altogether. As a YouTube friend and fellow lighting enthusiast (Though as far as I know he isn't registered for LG or GOL, although he has visited LG and seen my uploads) put it well: "It isn't stealing if no one cares!"
I've thought about the Mazda lamps but I'm almost reluctant to grab them, since those contain Zinc Beryllium phosphors which are VERY hazardous if a lamp gets broken. So if I did, I'd probably actually put those lamps into service and use them up to appreciate them instead of them sitting around. Granted, when they start failing I'd save at least one still-working one but I'd rather use them and appreciate them than have them leaning in a corner in a box in my collection and fall over during an earthquake and break or something. But then I realize they're antique and should be saved LOL. It's always that dilemma, to use or not to use vintage lamps?
Ballasts look like they're 40s-50s but I need to look at more uploads on LG to confirm that. Wiring is exposed, and there's another piece next to the fixture that may be a channel cover. Ballast labels are kinda dark, like they've seen use and gotten hot, but they've also sat for probably...hmm...thinks about the history of Port Alexander....since before 1989 for sure! Undoubtedly this would require the testing outside on a long extension cord test. And then last night laying in bed thinking about this I thought of that 1950s long-john tumlamp F40 preheat ballast you had melt down...so I might want to fuse this sucker!
Not sure where I'd put this thing yet, but maybe on my bedroom ceiling or in my office/shop? 4 or 8 F40 lamps blinking to life, that'd be pretty neat and something my dad would probably hate so I probably wouldn't install it anyplace else in the house! Or maybe he'd appreciate such an old light too...I should try to involve him in my lighting hobby more.
I've already thought of what lamps I'd use if I had to supply my own though. If it was 8 lamps, I'd probably use: Three Sylvania F40/CWPs I have, (That start dim but in such a fixture that'd be less noticeable), a '94 Sylvania F40/CW, a Buyer's Choice (Sylvania) F40CWX, an old GE-made Ace F40CW, and a couple Norelco F40CWs I have. I might even throw in my VitaLite powertwist lamp in place of the Ace lamp but I'd like the VitaLite to stand out on it's own. If it was four, I'd keep it down to the most modern lamps...CWP and CWX.