H&H Sales Boulevard Lamp - Suggestions for Termination of Ground Wire.
I was given several vintage H&H Sales Company Boulevard Lamps. At the time H&H Sales was located at 835 West North Avenue, Pittsburg, PA. (Photo 1)
All Boulevard lamps are intact except for the Ground wire.
The Lionel design has a distinct copper socket for the bulb with the hot and ground wires electrically connected directly to the copper bulb socket.
The design of the H&H Sales lamp has the socket threads cast into the body. (Photo 2) As such the entire body of the lamp becomes Ground. The lamp was powered by a single “hot wire” at the bottom of the bulb threads in the casting. (Photo 3) and a ground from the base of the lamp. (Photo 4).
Electrically, as designed, the entire casting or metal of the fixture is Ground.
The body/casting of the H&H Sales Model 430 Lamp were produced by Latrobe Castings. This identifier is cast into underside of the lamp base. (Photo 4). Latrobe Castings is still in business and is in Latrobe, PA near Pittsburg.
Since the wires to the base of the bulbs are solid copper, It is likely the ground wire was also solid copper. And that solid wire was attached to “termination” cast into base/underside of the lamp post. Solid wire in this configuration would quickly “fatigue/break” after a few “installations.”
(I am puzzled and interested in the manufacturing technique used at the time of manufacture for inserting the wire into the provided termination.)
Based on the above I am requesting advice on replacing the ground wire/connection.
Realizing the entire lamp is ground, I could screw/bolt the base to a surface and use the screw/bolt as Ground. (I prefer to remain closer to the original design intent.)
Obtaining sufficient heat to create a good solder joint, would destroy the paint on the lamp. Not a viable option.
I can gain access to the ground termination with a drill bit via the “slot” in the casting for wiring to exit. (Photo 5).
However, if I drill out the old wire, I still have the issue of obtaining an electrical connection. And I have ruled out soldering to the casting due excessive heat and paint damage.
Summary, I am requesting suggestions for solving my dilemma of restoring this lamp without destroying the lamp, maintaining the original design, and using stranded versus solid copper.
Thanks for your support.
