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Abacus Orion unauthorised induction conversion.

These massive lanterns are quite popular with UK supermarkets and are widely used to light up their carparks.
They are supposed to run either one or two 400w SON or MBI lamps base down in the middle of that quite intricate reflector system mounted on the canopy.
In the last few years I have noticed that some supermarket chains (Morrisons and ASDA) have retrofitted their lanterns with induction lamps.
This has quite annoyed the manufacturer, Abacus, and they have issued a statement saying they are aware of third-party modifications being made to these fittings and they will not take any liability or responsibility for any said modified luminaries.
http://www.abacuslighting.com/news.asp?id=192
I can see why they are washing their hands of it tbh. The quite complex reflector system was designed to have a narrow arc tube of a SON or MH lamp in the focal point of the optics. There is no way they are getting the same performance now and if an accident was to occur and it was found that the reduced optical performance was partially to blame then they want nothing to do with it!

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Filename:	387A5719.JPG
Album name:	FrontSideBus / Lighting out & about.
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Keywords:	Lanterns
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Date added:	Mar 31, 2020
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Date Time:	2019:06:26 13:23:52
DateTime Original:	2019:06:26 13:23:52
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Focal length:	330 mm
ISO:	100
Make:	Canon
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Beta 5
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Why can't people just leave these brilliant lanterns alone

They work perfectly and efficiently with their intended discharge lamps.
I have seen some shops with these have replaced them for a double bracket and two normal LED lanterns

Thorn Beta 5 35W SOX Top entry/Side entry

fluorescent lover 40
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That's a nice light! Shame they're modified like this.

Good quality things are awesome. Bad quality things are not.

AngryHorse
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Rich

Our local ASDA have taken all their’s down for Sylvania’s Concord Skyline, a MUCH better performing post top for car parks!

Current: UK 230V, 50Hz
Power provider: e.on energy
Street lighting in our town: Philips UniStreet LED

"Beauty fades, dumb is forever".......Judge Judy

merc
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Adam

I wonder what does that complex reflector system do on the ground? It's not a special purpose lantern, is it?

AngryHorse
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Rich

Their designed for fairly wide spacing with a good spread on the ground from a single discharge lamp, more for general and amenity lighting than road.
As for theses conversions, Abacus have no one to blame but themselves for these ‘in house’ conversions, in these expensive energy cost days, when customers are naturally looking for ways to cut their electricity bills, Abacus were very slow to offer an LED version of their Orion, (I think they have one now), and then they complain when others contractors ‘modify’ their product’s with more energy efficient lamps!

Current: UK 230V, 50Hz
Power provider: e.on energy
Street lighting in our town: Philips UniStreet LED

"Beauty fades, dumb is forever".......Judge Judy

FrontSideBus
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That may be true but the design of the Orion doesn’t really lend itself very well for conversions like this which aren’t very well thought out. An induction lamp such as a Philips QL style would at least retain the optical performance of the lantern by having the lamp in the focal point.

UK out of the EU!
http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/index.php?cat=11271

AngryHorse
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Rich

Yeah, be interesting to find out who did the conversations, Morrison’s have a maintenance company called Abbots Mead or something like that, wonder if they have done it?

Current: UK 230V, 50Hz
Power provider: e.on energy
Street lighting in our town: Philips UniStreet LED

"Beauty fades, dumb is forever".......Judge Judy

sox35
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Mainly the electrical side of things

Fortunately, the Morrisons here still has HPS, although not these lanterns. Not sure what they are, will get a photo next time we're passing.

Ria in Aberdeen
It'll be all right in the end, and if it isn't all right, it isn't the end

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