My Collection: Thorn Civic 1 (2)
| Manufacturer | Thorn |
| Catalogue Number (model) | Civic 1 |
| Wattage | 50W |
| Lamp-Type | SON-T |
| Gear | Original |
| Ballast | Tridonic OMBS 50 |
| Ignitor | Tridonic ZRM 4000 B101 |
| Capacitor | Cambridge Capacitors (10μF) |
| Photocell | Zodion SS6.8 |
| Date Of Manufacture | ~~/01/2004 |
| Date On Photocell Socket | ~~/05/2003 |
| Date On Photocell | ~~/02/2016 |
| Date On Capacitor | ~~/11/2003 |
| Date Acquired | 02/04/2024 |
| Restoration Status | Cleaned |
| Collection Number | #29 |
The Thorn Civic 1 was a wildly popular lantern throughout the UK. It could be used with lamps up to 150W, meaning it was used in a wide-range of applications (this one is a 50W SON-T lantern). It's aluminium construction made it a very heavy-duty and sturdy lantern, and two versions of the Civic 1 existed, the older design and newer design. Both can easily be distinguished from one-another, owing to the different shape and paint used. It's distinctive shape makes it an icon amongst the lighting community, and one of the most-well-known lanterns overall. This one is the older design of the Civic 1. This is the second of my Thorn Civic 1s. Unlike my other (which is imprinted with the 70W label) this one is printed with the 50W SON label. It has a partially-frosted polycarbonate bowl as well as the Thorn logo displayed on the bottom of the canopy. From below, the differences can best be seen between the two of them. The one on the bottom is the 50W example. They both measure the exact same size, though this appears to be incorrect in the top image due to an optical illusion. I'm not sure if the differences are exclusive to the 50W example, but that's my best guess given that these both were made around the same time.
The screws for the cell socket were knackered. Two of them disintegrated on-contact with the screw driver, and one refused to turn at all. The cork was also rotted, and had to be removed.
The lantern was filled with a cobweb and rotted leaves conglomerate. Urgent cleaning of the lantern was undertaken shortly after.
Evidently, the gear compartment had suffered some water intake, although minor. The cell socket was bypassed but the lantern was allowed to keep it's original Zodion SS6 photocell.
A Tridonic ZRM 4000 B101 ignitor was installed some-time during the lantern's service. This is an unusual sight for a 50W HPS lantern, as this ignitor is intended for 100W-400W HPS.
A Tridonic OMBS 50 ballast is installed. This is identical to my other Civic 1's original ballast.
Later, the lantern was powered on, where the 50W lamp sputtered into action, the 100W+ ignitor providing quite a light-show!
