What are these old lights?

sborder

Member
Hi,

These old lights are in my University's recital hall catwalk.

Does ayone know what they are, and the history behind them?

They have a logo on them that says EC, and I was told that EC was ETC's original name.

Here are the pictures

Thanks,

sborder
 

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Hi,

These old lights are in my University's recital hall catwalk.

Does ayone know what they are, and the history behind them?

They have a logo on them that says EC, and I was told that EC was ETC's original name.

Here are the pictures

Thanks,

sborder

EC is Electro Controls, a company purchased by Strand Century and then shut down. I think the brown fixtures may be Electro Controls Parellipspheres.

EC and Electro Controls have nothing to to with Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) and never have.

ST
 
EC and Electro Controls have nothing to to with Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) and never have.

ST

Yep- ETC began as a strictly console company (hence Controls) in the seventies, and not until the early nineties did they purchase the rights for the Source Four. The Source Four used today is the only instrument ETC has ever distributed.

I uh- hope your recital hall isn't still using those beasts... I think rolled steel instruments should be just about banned.
 
Hi,

Our recital hall is full of those EC lights, and our other theaters are full of them two. Only one light in our recital hall works, and it is one of those ECs. Our University might have over 20 some of them.

I think those lights even have asbestos in them, and they still use them!

I don't know if they will be replacing any of the lamps soon.

I attached more pictures of the lights.

Thanks,

sborder
 

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First, why are there no safety cables on those fixtures? Why are the unused units just laying on the catwalk where they could easily be knocked off?

The units in question are Electro Controls, but are not Parellipspheres, as every one of those used an axially mounted lamp with the cap protruding out the center of the back.

From the Photometrics Handbook: (An invaluable tool, though incomplete in many regards.)
Doubtful: If the fixtures use an Ext. Mogul End Prong, PAR64-type lamp, they are #320X. (A very rare fixture, that personally I don't understand. Using a PAR lamp in an ERS just doesn't make sense to me. See this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting/5916-electro-controls-3201-3214-ers.html .)
Also doubtful: If the fixtures use a Mini-Can. Screwbase, EVR-type lamp, they are #3345. (Since this is a 500W max. fixture, it's unlikely it would be used from an FOH catwalk.)
Most likely: If the fixtures use a Med Prefocus, (the book erroneously identifies this as also a Mini-Can. base) EGJ-type lamp, they are #3365, and can be any one of six lens configurations: one 6x6 step, two 6x9 PC, two 6x12 PC, two 6x16 PC, two 6x20 PC, and one 6x8 step. [Nearest unit in picture "catwalk3.jpg"].
The unit in picture "catwalk4.jpg" is definitely a model#3366, which could have a lens train of two 6x9 PC, two 6x12 PC, or one 6x6 step lenses. (Again, due to its location, I suspect 2x 6x12.)

The fixtures were probably delivered in the mid-1970s.

The single conductor white, black, and green cords feeding each fixture do indeed contain asbestos, which is the best reason for removing them from service and sending one to me for the Control Booth museum.:) The asbestos can be abated, the fixtures rewired, and new sockets installed, but the results will still be far inferior to a modern ERS.
 
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Hi,

I do not have control over what happens to the lights, but I do know someone who removes asbestos for the University. He has used lights with asbestos in them and knows how to properly remove it.

Thanks,

sborder
 
We had 10 of them at UT when I got there. The next year our ME threw them all out. Asbestos is itchy! *lol*

Mike
 
I never had any skin irritation problems with asbestos cabling, but the particular type of fiberglass sleeving used on Kliegl 1355s and 1357s drove me nuts every time I wore a short sleeved shirt on a call.

I got a mild case of skin irritation once when we cut fiberglass in short sleeve shirts and shorts. It was play a trick on the new carps day. Ha ha ha.

Mike
 
Completely unrelated to this discussion .. well, sort of:

I just figured out the meaning of Derek's signature! Cool stuff.

It sort of relates: it and this thread have to do with things of old.
 
802--> <--848
Great. Now I have to change it again.:twisted:

It's okay, I like the new combination better anyway.
 
Great. Now I have to change it again.:twisted:

It's okay, I like the new combination better anyway.

Yeah, 848 looked like it had a little much green in it for my taste, a little much like 63. I've always been more partial to the 62/362 than the 61/63 .. though that presumes that my monitor here and the "virtual swatch" on their site are close to reality.

Hmm .. that proves I'm a geek .. Friday night, and what do I do? Figure out a riddle with Roscolene colors in it.
 

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