Philips MA lives on...

[Danny]

Hmm the highways agency are doing this on the A19 aswell, if a Column gets knocked over, a new column (hockey stick) is put in and a MA60 180W SOX or a MS50 135W SOX, You can tell which ones are the new ones aswell, as the new ones have their own PhotoCells, the Older ones don't have the photocell as they are group switched from a Kiosk in the trees, One only recently went up as A column was knocked over just a few weeks ago!! it was replaced with a MA60, I was quite suprised to be honest but GOOD ON THEM

From what I've been told, SOX lanterns are still made

Danny

[Jack_T]

Philips MA will always be one of the best designs! Long live Philips MA!

[Danny]

I agree, they are one of the best... I also like the THORN ALPHA 4s aswell

[LinearSLI-H]

The Alpha 4 was a good lantern, but the MA had way better optics in the bowl

[Danny]

+ the MA has better bowl clips, so I agree that the MA's were probably the best SOX lanterns ever

[Danny]

Hi,

Philips MA60s Gear in Head 180W SOX survive on the A1 Motorway at Doncaster, All seem to be in working order, and very clean,

Yes the MA's on the A19 at Durham were struggling to Start in the winter, I think it was just too cold for them, it was a very cold one, half of them were not even at full brightness, (half red Half yellow) all night, some were just staying Red, You could tell that most of the 135Watts were struggling too (poor things) They seem alright now. Yes the Delays will be with organising the Traffic Management. I can imagine that re-lamping the MA60 180W SOX will cost quite a bit too!

Danny

[Danny]

When I took a long Drive to Luton in January on a motorway, I think it was the M1 or the M18, I can't remember now but there was loads of those Aluminium hexigan shape columns cut just above the door's, strange thing is tho is that non looked like they'd had an impact from a car?.. Barriers either side of the columns were undamaged too, There was loads that had been cut just above the door, Personally i think they had been maintaining them and some were found to be maybe unsafe? They were wrapped in tape...

I actually never noticed any differance in the failing of SON and we dont have any MH round here, or that i could see, It was mainly the SOX lanterns that were 135W and 180W that suffered

dan

[neosodium]

The MA60 is definitely the best motorway lantern ever.

Sadly it is beginning to be an uncommon sight with so many motorways now converted to stroboscopic glare-y power hungry high wattage SON

[LinearSLI-H]

Wonder how long Thorns `ROCADE` was in service?, it appeared in their edition 3 catalogue as, "the motorway lantern to end all motorway lanterns", and the twin lamp version did look a good design with great optics, however I have never seen one in service anywhere.
Any of you guys have them near you?

[Jack_T]

No, I've never seen them in service... I need to respray my MA50! Keep putting it back, got it off AmtrakUK... So I suppose I deserve a present for what a ***** he was!

[Danny]

@Neo, I agree. They are very well sealed Lanterns, they still look like new inside even when they are 30 years old... I would love a MA60, i have a MA90 i got off Angus who (Yep jack) had a ATL Spaz Attack as I call it

I don't mind seeing SON on the Motorway as long as it has Magnetic Gear.. but SOX is preffered as they are more interesting to look at.

@Jack what paint are you using to spray your MA50?... I normally use PLASTI-KOTE White GLOSS Spray Paint to spray mine, and they come out looking amazing

[Jack_T]

Thanks Danny, I wasn't sure what to use to be honest, I've spent ages cleaning it though!

[Danny]

Yes you can get the Spray paint from B&Q £6.98 a can, If your gunna spray that you will need 2 cans.. Its also waterproof. Uploaded a pic see below

[Jack_T]

I've seen that paint before! it's good stuff!

[Danny]

Aye its good paint, makes ya lanterns look nice, it Stinks though and makes ya high. and have a headache (lol no i dont sniff it)

[Jack_T]

I think it's German, makes you high, is it a solvent?

[Danny]

Yep its a Solvent

[Jack_T]

Nasty things for me since I have Asthma.

[Danny]

Just wear a mask or put ya Shirt over ya mouth & nose, youll be fine!... i have asthma too and ive just stripped 2 lanterns ready to paint them now

[Tom]

Not wanting to state the obvious guys, but unless you have access to a spray booth, make sure you do your spraying outside on a calm day! Nasty stuff that paint! And get a proper respiratory mask! They don't cost much!

Happy painting!

[Danny]

Yep, i have just done my 2 outside, i dont want to be

[Jack_T]

Yeah do it on the grass, but not your grass, someone else's!

[Danny]

yes i have done them in Matt, they are looking Nice, but I want to Spray them Gloss white too so they Shine

[Jack_T]

Gloss might look better, but matt is more original I'd have said.