Yeah the M-250A2 changes are easier to notice. I guess I pay such close attention to the slight differences in the M-250R2 becuase there are SO many of them here. Besides the NEMA tag fonts, there's the 1993 flatbottom R2, which IMO looks like a current generation M-250A2 from far away, the top housing has changed a few times over the years. The 80s version is slimmer looking and has small bumps for the slipfitter bolts that are barely visable. that's my favorite version. I think it was made from when the R2 rolled out until 1992. Then in '92 the top housing was changed with the door. I can't really explain it but if you saw some of the M-250R2 flatbottoms here you'd know exactly what i mean. Then there's the 1994-present version, which i guess is the same over the past years besides the meatball logo jumping around on the door and the slipfitter bolts seem to get larger and larger lol. The design of the M-250r2 is so smooth and gradual the slipfitter bolt bumps stick out like sore thumbs.
I'm guessing this is newer since it seems to be holding its shine still. The newer GEs seem to hold their shine much longer than coopers, though coopers tend to loose their paint in chunks anyways and it seems like AELs were like that for a while. The Thomas & Betts lights here have long lost their shine but manage to hold their paint very well. I personally don't like super shiney paint. I like new and smooth paint but not really glossy. My M-400 had lost its gloss in storage in its damp warehouse but the paint itself is good dispite a few minor scuffs. I don't see any need to repaint it though.
Yeah, there's not a lot of M-250R2s around here so it's harder for me to notice the differences. Powerlites and Westies on the other hand...
Anyway thanks for the info. I'm also surprised at the amount of mercury lights still left in the Buffalo area. Coming from Ontario where almost 90% of streetlights are HPS (probably less now with LEDs invading) seeing a merc streetlight is always a pleasant surprise for me.
That would explain why the M-250R2 looks recent. The lamp does appear phosphored in the pic though. Maybe the glass is a little foggy and it's scattering the arc tube...
I'm guessing this is newer since it seems to be holding its shine still. The newer GEs seem to hold their shine much longer than coopers, though coopers tend to loose their paint in chunks anyways and it seems like AELs were like that for a while. The Thomas & Betts lights here have long lost their shine but manage to hold their paint very well. I personally don't like super shiney paint. I like new and smooth paint but not really glossy. My M-400 had lost its gloss in storage in its damp warehouse but the paint itself is good dispite a few minor scuffs. I don't see any need to repaint it though.
Anyway thanks for the info. I'm also surprised at the amount of mercury lights still left in the Buffalo area. Coming from Ontario where almost 90% of streetlights are HPS (probably less now with LEDs invading) seeing a merc streetlight is always a pleasant surprise for me.