After getting access to the University City Searchlight last year with the gracious help of the City and the Fire Chief I was able to learn of the working of the light and get a great overview of it.

Here are the items that I immediately determined needed attention.

1. General cleaning of the light. (Mirror, exterior)
2. Replacement of reflector behind rods that is a bit melted.
3. Electrical cleanup work. (The renovation of the light in the 60's to retrofit it with WWII internals was done well but in my opinion the electrical connections can be modernized and made safer. For example the wiring is using old panels as jumpers instead of contained in a junction box.

4. The modernization/improvement of the elevator function. The elevator raises and lowers via the motor and counter weight system. In lowering the breakers will trip that control the elevator operation. This is resolved by stopping and then restarting the elevator. It may be that the elevator is encountering resistance coming down or the piston that sets the breakers is bad. The elevator rails have been greased to attempt to resolve this and new oil added to the piston (with the help of the Facilities Manager of University City) to no avail.

4. BONUS: The light rotates freely or with the assistance of a motor. The motor will SLOWLY spin the light 360 degrees. With the power of this light and the proximity to Lambert Airport this is not ideal. The light can always be operated manually with someone on the roof but it would be fantastic if we could install a motor that rotates 180 and then reverses to avoid the issue of the airport.