AC Ford AC 850

Lantern acquired in May 2006.

This second AC 850 is brand-new and was ordered directly from AC Ford - I received it on Thursday, 11th May 2006. A NEMA socket was not fitted as the lantern will be manually switched on as and when I want it to be. I decided to have another mercury version of this lantern so that it could be as similar as possible to my old version.

If you hold your mouse cursor over the highlighted photographs, the photograph will change for the equivalent one showing the old AC850 - in this way, both lanterns can be compared.

The un-yellowed bowl on this lantern is probably the most obvious difference between both lanterns. The paint finish is also a little lighter on this version.

Although the new version does not have a NEMA socket, the position of where one could be fitted is marked out. The lettering is a little smaller on this version as well.

It just goes to show how a few years of operation can take its toll!

The lamp area isn't greatly different - the only change being how the lampholder is secured - here a simple plate is used whereas the old version used a more elaborate piece.

The ballast is smaller on the new version (it was tested on the 5th May 2006) but is still made by Parmar. A plastic capacitor has replaced the metal one.

The inside of the canopy is very shiny - it is just because the aluminium is free from corrosion at the moment.

I always think this type of lantern is very suited to being fitted on a wall bracket - it brings out the 'old' style quite well. Of course, fitting a photocell to the canopy brings the lantern right back into the modern day!

Both lanterns give out a similar light output; though the new one appears brighter thanks to the clear bowl.

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