My Collection: Holophane Wallpackette II
| Manufacturer | Holophane |
| Catalogue Number (model) | Wallpackette II WPK80M.C6.G |
| Wattage | 50W |
| Lamp-Type | SON-I |
| Gear | Original |
| Ballast | Transtar LG80HT |
| Capacitor | Cambridge Capacitors 8µF LE2EB-80B |
| IP Rating (when new) | IP65 |
| Date Of Manufacture | ~~/01/1996 |
| Date On Capacitor | ~~/08/1995 |
| Date Acquired | 22/02/2025 |
| Restoration Status | Cleaned |
| Collection Number | #147 |
This Wallpackette II was found by the side of the road, presumably left for scrap men. I got to it first, though, and did my part in cleaning up the streets! This example would have run an 80W MBF/U lamp originally, but it later had a SON-I lamp shoved in there, which would work on the mercury ballast. These fixtures are an icon in their own right, having been extremely popular in the UK and USA.
The Wallpackette II had the option to be fitted with an anti-vandal cage (not that the glass ever really needed it). This version includes an anti-vandal cage as it was mounted between 3m-4m above ground-level. The cage is held on with five screws, three along the front and one either-side of the refractor glass.
The left-most screw is seized solid with the cage, the other four did move with some persuasion.
On both sides of the Wallpackette II, a small cable-entry is provided, but this one was fed directly into the wall from it's back.
The two large holes were actually where the mounting screws would have been, but the mangled wall plugs and bent screws I found inside likely mean this installation was ripped straight off the wall! Thankfully the Wallpackette II is extremely rigid, so this ordeal did not damage it.
The front of the Wallpackette II is gripped firmly by two PROTEX clips, the undoing of which grants access to the inside.
Despite the screws all looking like burnt hot-cross buns, three out of four on each clip do turn.
The front of the bulkhead hinges open to allow lamp-changes and maintenance. A wire is present to prevent the front falling off.
The bowl is fastened into the front of the lantern via four grips.
"Holophane No.4209 Endural" is etched into the moulded glass.
"PAT Pending" indicates this may be an early bowl, yet all examples I found online also share this lettering.
An image showcasing the layout of the Wallpackette II:
An identification-sticker is pressed onto the back of the lantern inside; this was when I realized it was meant to be a mercury vapour bulkhead, as I hadn't checked the ballast yet.
The ballast is for 80W mercury vapour lamps, but SON 50 will run fine on it.
It's quite evident this bulkhead was never used much (or that date sticker would be scorched) so why they even bothered to change it to SON is beyond me.
The capacitor also possesses a date-code, referring to late July / early August 1995.
Despite sitting dormant for so long, the lantern sprung into life when powered on!
