The first few photographs, taken in July 2004, show the signlight when installed.

The reason that the signlight is not operating in daylight hours in these pictures (as was standard practice in Derbyshire for many years) was due to it being operated by a Venner MS2SP time switch, fitted in the base. The time switch was installed following complaints regarding the continuous burning of the signlight. However, in the signlight's latter years, the unit again remained lit constantly - perhaps due to the time switch developing a fault.

A double-arm example is pictured below; as can be seen, at least one lamp was operating within daylight hours when this picture was taken. The sign plate also looks old.

The signlight is still in a good condition for its age - the polycarbonate cover features a couple of discoloured lines directly 'below' where the lamps would be situated, though the plastic has not completely yellowed, as it has on some examples. The reduction in burning hours (as a result of the time switch operation) may be the reason behind this.

Surprisingly, the signlight body is not constructed of aluminium (as I thought it was), but of grey plastic, which appears to have once been painted silver.

If you hold your mouse cursor over the above image, the picture will swap to one that shows a similar view of the newer Signature 'Exlite Signlite' unit. The differences between the two designs are very noticeable, not least because of an increase in components on the newer fitting. The empty slots on the older fitting's reflector/gear tray are for fitting the lampholders in the position used when two 6 Watt lamps are fitted, instead of two 8 Watt lamps, as is the case here. The capacitor fitted to the older signlight is not original - its predecessor probably developed a fault; thus necessitating the need for it to be replaced.

The real differences between this signlight and later versions occur when the gear tray is removed - firstly, a single 13 Watt ballast operates both lamps in series, and secondly, the incoming supply cable connects into a terminal block that is fixed to the inside of the canopy. This type of terminal block would never be permitted on modern electrical equipment, owing to the fact that it offers no protection against touching live parts. As can be seen, the gear tray has been refurbished, and all wiring renewed.

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