I stumbled upon this video on YouTube documenting a amazing restoration job on a 175w MV Westinghouse OV-15. Way more meticulous than any of my restoration jobs lol.

YouTube link

I actually just came across this video a couple of days ago, I'm not sure how I missed this post, but I thought the guy did a really good job with it.

Nice job overall. Two points I found disappointing...he pulls a Sylvania H39KB-175 from a Lifeguard sleeve, and doesn't bother to buy and install an original Holophane 4215 lens. The installed GE/FP is ok, but it's still a GE in a Westinghouse Silverliner.

Nice job overall. Two points I found disappointing...he pulls a Sylvania H39KB-175 from a Lifeguard sleeve, and doesn't bother to buy and install an original Holophane 4215 lens. The installed GE/Pyrex is ok, but it's still a GE in a Westinghouse Silverliner.

4215 refractors are not that hard to find either if you watch for them. I don't care for the look of anything but the 4215 in an OV-15. The M250R2 acrylic boxy refractors I do like in a variety of fixtures though. I like those in 113/115, OV-15, and some others.

I think it was mentioned near the beginning of the video that the "original" yellowed refractor was a GE, so I suspect that they bought a new GE refractor to match the GE refractor that was on the fixture. But yeah, for a true restoration, he probably should've used a holophane 4215 refractor, I just think he didn't know that the yellowed GE wasn't the original.

Good eye on the Sylvania lamp being pulled out from the Lifeguard sleeve. I wonder if it's a eBay seller strikes again scenario. Yeah I figured the replacement glass refractor wasn't the correct OEM one but still looks a lot better than the yellowed plastic one it originally had.

Also I can't help but notice the shot of the PG17 lamps turning on at the beginning of the video in what looks like a Daybrite CFI industrial fixture.

Overall cool restoration. Yeah I was curious about the Sylvania, but it’s still a really nice lamp as I don’t see clear versions very often.

Overall cool restoration. Yeah I was curious about the Sylvania, but it’s still a really nice lamp as I don’t see clear versions very often.

I guess I'm a purist...I prefer a Westinghouse lamp in a Westinghouse luminaire. The Sylvania H39KB-175 is a good lamp in its own right though.

Yeah I figured, I usually just use a lamp of a similar vintage or just any vintage lamp. If the lamp that came with it is still bright, I'll usually just end up using that too.

Yeah I figured, I usually just use a lamp of a similar vintage or just any vintage lamp. If the lamp that came with it is still bright, I'll usually just end up using that too.

I like to match up brands, and era. I usually don't keep any used lamps long term, unless they're something unique.