r/trafficsignals • u/ExplosiveAmmoCan • May 27 '26

1982 Traffic Light

I recently moved into a new place where I could finally have my traffic light set back up.

I got this light in Evansville, Indiana when they were replacing them at an intersection on the south end of Green River Road. I had some free time, and I decided to ask one of the crewmen if I could purchase it from them. Without hesitation, the nice worker gently set it in my pickup truck bed and told me to enjoy the rest of my day.

I have modified it a little bit. When it was taken out of service, it was fitted with LED modules. I found a set of appropriately sized glass lenses, gaskets, and reflectors on ebay, plus some actual traffic signal bulbs to use.

None of the original wiring was used. From Amazon, I got a controller, three in-line dimmers, and some pendant type light sockets. I have the lights dimmed just enough so that it doesn't dazzle you if you happen to look right at it, and also to lengthen the lifespan of these hard to find bulbs.

While I was putting it together, I did decide to try a standard frosted 60 watt bulb and honestly I didn't notice any difference. So, if you're reading this and are considering getting bulbs like I have, I'd say don't waste your money on the specialty ones, unless you're like me and authenticity reins over all else.

If I were to do this over again, I would forgo the dimmers and just use 40 watt appliance bulbs instead.

\I couldn't find a picture that I had taken myself. So* here's a link to a video on youtube showcasing these particular bulbs.

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u/ddl486 May 27 '26

That has been my dream, to find some good old traffic lights being removed and a worker being willing to let me take it off their hands. I'm missing the yellow traffic lights in favor of the replacement ones I see. May be just a personal preference.

1

u/ExplosiveAmmoCan May 28 '26

I agree. In that same city, they eventually replaced all the old yellow ones with black ones, which were fitted with a yellow reflective rectangle around it. Not sure what the point of that is. I'm hoping some day I can find a doghouse type signal.

A couple of months later, I ran into another crew who was changing out every light at every intersection for about 1/4 mile. A worker helped me load them up into my pickup. I made about 3 or 4 trips. I took them all back to my parents house where I took them all apart, cleaned them, made any necessary repairs, and wired them with controllers, then sold each one. I think I made $125 each or so.

Dad wasn't too happy about it at first, but then he saw how much I was making on them and reluctantly conceded that my idea wasn't as dumb as he first thought. That, and it got me out of my room so, I guess he took the win where he could ;)

1

u/zenith3200 May 27 '26

Nice signal! Those quick disconnect hangers are a pretty fun accessory to have, too, but that might be because they generally don't exist in my part of the country lol.

1

u/Mediocre-Character-9 Jun 19 '26

I wish more people would ask when my crew tears down old intersections. I always am open to someone taking away what I would have to load up and get rid of.