How long do older streetlamps last?

Factual Questions
1

This is pretty lacking in specific info, but…

My great grand-uncle ‘aquired’ a streetlamp from the '60s or '70s, and put it in the backyard of a family property. It has shone (shined?) brightly for years, but about 6 years ago quit working when it was cold, and now doesn’t work at all. The family tale is that once it burns out, it’s a throwaway; it cannot be restored, refilled with filament, lightbulb changed, anything. Anyone know if that’s true?

I don’t know any make, model, etc :frowning:

It has a tube running from the lamp, down the arm, to a container, and that container is connects to the electrical output from the house. Quite possibly homemade though.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

2

If a replacement lamp will not get it running then it probably has faulty control gear, likely it will be the ballast unit that has gone down.

It is unlikely that replacing the ballast will be economic, you’ll pay only a little more for a complete item, possibly less if you can get it at trade.