Back in November of 2007, we published an article about the street lights which were in the process of being changed over in Barga Vecchia. In that article we wrote “All 45 lanterns in Barga Vecchia will be replaced by a new, smaller lanterns which give out a warmer light and consume far less energy. Within the next couple of weeks all will be revealed, and the scepticism that some residents have about the changeover will be put to the test for all to see.”

Well a bit more than 18 months later and a quick survey of the street lights in Barga Vecchia this morning reveals that maybe the scepticism from some of the residents might actually have been warranted. It would appear that there is a design fault in the new lights which in certain conditions allows rain water to enter inside but not to drain out of the bottom. Back in November it was said that all of the lights were to changed over but for some reason that has not happened and there are still quite a few old lamps lighting the narrows roads of Barga Vecchia. These luckily do not suffer from the design fault in the newer versions as the bottom of the lamps are open – if rain does manage to get it then it just simply drips harmlessly away to the street below.

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We now have a situation where a number of the lanterns are gradually filling up with water until the level reaches the bulb and the electric wires – you would have thought, with obvious results but look at the images below and what can you see? Yes, the bulb still lights even when half under water.

[Click here for slideshow]

So maybe you think it might just be a series of photoshopped images ? hmmm, what about the short film below recorded as the light is actually switched on at dusk. Its the first 5 seconds of the film that is important as you can clearly see just what is going on.

Some wags in the city have already thought about playing a trick on unwary visitors by dropping goldfish shaped pieces of carrot into the water filled lamps but after climbing to the top of a ladder to reach them were unable to open them and so were thwarted in their cunning plan.

Hopefully the technicians from the Comune or from the “Idea Luce” lighting company will not have the same problem getting into the lamps as at some point the water will have to go. Watch this space.

From the barganews archives – November of 2007 – Out with the old – in with the new. Technicians from the “Idea Luce” lighting company started work in Barga Vecchia this morning renovating the street lighting system.The ancient wrought iron lanterns needed constant maintenance and although they looked very pretty their days were numbered.

All 45 lanterns in Barga Vecchia will be replaced by a new, smaller lanterns which give out a warmer light and consume far less energy. Within the next couple of weeks all will be revealed, and the scepticism that some residents have about the changeover will be put to the test for all to see. – full article here