My Collection: Thorn Piazza II

Manufacturer Thorn
Catalogue Number (model) Piazza II 1X42 TC-T HF PR RAL 96233272
Wattage 42W
Lamp-Type T/E
Gear Original
Ballast Tridonic PC 1/2x26-42 TC PRO
IP Rating (when new) IP65
Date Of Manufacture ~~/07/2008
Date Acquired 08/09/2024
Restoration Status Cleaned
Collection Number #65

The Piazza II wasn't really a popular bulkhead, but they could be seen occasionally on buildings. This one was an eBay pick-up costing £11+£4 shipping. It arrived on the 11/09/2024. The lantern runs a 45W T/E compact fluorescent lamp, and was in amazing condition overall. Nothing needed to be done with it, and a clean was all that was undertaken.

They boast a fairly-unique shape, you can see how the Piazza II would be angled down by default due to the back of them being slanted.

Four screw-mounting holes are visible on the back.

To open the Piazza II, a small clip is present atop the lantern, opening this reveals a star screw which can be turned about 45° to unlock the canopy.

The clip is dated July 2008, likely close to the lantern's manufacture date.

Due to the way the lantern is angled down, the polycarbonate lens would be left pressed against the wall during servicing. Thankfully it seems quite tough so it isn't likely to break.

The reflector is held in by four plastic clips. While these are in good-nick on my T/E version, the SON version may be more brittle.

Some of the muck can't be cleaned off as it's in between the lens and cover. The cover wasn't coming off and I didn't want to damage it.

The 45W CFL lamp:

Much like the reflector, the gear-tray is held in by four plastic clips. Again, while these are okay on mine, I don't know how the SON version will fare.

A Tridonic PC 1/2x26-42 TC Pro Digital Ballast occupies the rear-side of the tray.

Because the elements were so kind to this lantern, it powered up with no issues.