Gallery of Lights
Lanterns/Fixtures => Traffic Lights => Topic started by: jankem on August 03, 2011, 09:15:32 AM
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Hello,
Through a series of strange events, I now find myself in possession of a traffic light. It seems to be of recent construction, with the only visible markings being "CH" on the back. The housing is plastic; I don't know much about the bulbs other than they are not LEDs. I also understand that it is controlled by a remote, though its whereabouts are unknown.
Questions:
1) How much might this thing be worth?
2) How might I go about acquiring a replacement remote?
Some photos for your consideration:
(http://ihopethey.servebeer.com/IMG_0116.JPG)
(http://ihopethey.servebeer.com/IMG_0117.JPG)
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Well, CH i believe would stand for "Crouse-Hinds". If the housing is plastic, then it's polycarbonate. The only way I'd know the lamp type is if you upload a pic of the inside.
Hope this helps,
Mike.
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Mike,
Here is the print on the bulb:
Premium Life
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1700 HR at 120V
56W
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Traffic Signal
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60W
1000 HR at 125V
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Lazr Beam
And a photo:
(http://ihopethey.servebeer.com/IMG_0119.JPG)
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The signal with "CH" in bold in the back is made by a company called Chapel Hill. They made offshoot signals using some Crouse Hinds molds bought from TCT in the 90s.
CH is NOT Crouse Hinds, it is indeed Chapel Hill. Crouse Hinds never used that logo on their signals. The Crouse Hinds Type R head was a similar design but actually spelled out Crouse Hinds in small text.
The Type R design was sold to Traffic Control Technologies after Crouse Hinds ended producing signals...and now the design is owned by Peek Traffic.
Value on the Chapel Hill signal ranges from about $60-80.
-Nick
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Nick,
Thanks - what about a replacement remote, or an alternative way of controlling it?
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Nick,
Thanks - what about a replacement remote, or an alternative way of controlling it?
You're welcome.
I couldn't tell you how the previous owner wired it up. But you can get it to sequence without much cost or the space needed for a full sized cabinet.
Simply go to Lights to Go and order a T3 Sequencer (http://www.trafficlights.com/T3ad.htm) for around $50. These are very basic little circuits that come with instructions on how to wire. Even with basic wiring knowledge, you can get it running in 5 minutes. It has adjustable cycle time and flashing mode switches.
They are very well made little simulator circuits, however in the rare event that something doesnt work right, Lights to Go is really cool about doing repairs. Of course this is if you want your signal to run like it did on the street, with minimal wiring and cost.
-Nick
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Nick,
This particular light actually never ran on the street; it was a strange situation. It has a regular AC wall plug and, according to the people who owned it before, was operated by remote which is now missing.
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All of the single face heads would have had remote controllers on the street. Some of the early fixed 4-ways came with internal controllers mounted on the bottom plate, or in the case of Eagle, in a 4th section at the top of the signal.
The Chapel Hill heads generally look pretty good when they come off the street unless they were in a terrible environment. Most people just put an extension cord on them to light them up. If yours is powered by an extension cord, it didn't operate from a remote controller except on the street. You'd need a four conductor cable to remotely control the signal.
As Nick said, this is a knockoff of the Type R. Chapel Hill made a pretty sturdy light for a poly signal and one difference from the Type R was that C-H used two door latches instead of one to keep the signal dust and moisture tight.
The LTG sequencer is good as is the one made by Joez Garage. They are relatively simple to wire. Just take your time and follow the instructions if you're not used to doing this stuff. Leave the sockets wired to the terminal block, one colored lead per terminal and all the white neutrals together, then with some 14 or 16 gauge wire you can connect between the terminal block and the controller.
I prefer 40 watt clear "ceiling fan" bulbs for indoor displays. 69 watts can get pretty harsh and the optics on these C-H signals are pretty good.
(http://www.kbrhorse.net/sigpics/ch_poly.jpg)
If you don't have a lot of signals in your collection yet, this is a good one to get your collection going.
":O) Willis