My Collection: ELECO GR501
| Manufacturer | ELECO |
| Catalogue Number (model) | GR501 |
| Wattage | 35W |
| Lamp-Type | SOX |
| Gear | None (remote, but original gear obtained) |
| Ballast | Simplex Circulume S.C.35.55.S |
| Capacitor | R.I.C. 4030SH 16μF |
| Photocell | Royce Thompson Electric P42 |
| Date Of Manufacture | ~~/10/1976 |
| Date On Photocell | ~~/06/1976 |
| Date on Capacitor | ~~/11/1976 |
| Date on Lamp | ~~/04/2021 |
| Date Acquired | 13/10/2025 |
| Restoration Status | Cleaned |
| Collection Number | #185 |
Out of all of the ELECO lanterns, the GR501 is one of, if not the most iconic lantern they produced. They were long enough to fit a 55W lamp inside, but the lamp-support was positioned as-such that the lantern would accept a 35W SOX lamp, as this example did.
A P42 photocell by Royce Thompson is drilled right through the ELECO logo.
The bowl is held on firmly by a single clip on the nose of the lantern. This underside view showcases how sleek the lantern really is - I've always likened them to narrowboats.
It is incredibly oversimplified, the wiring being no-more in depth than the connections for the lamp-holder and photocell detector.
As mentioned before, the lantern could take both 35W and 55W SOX lamps. I've placed some images below showcasing how this would have looked. 35W (left) & 55W (right).
The lantern was also warmed up using both lamps. I've placed the 35W images first and the 55W images after.
