The light was powered by a kerosene lantern that had to be kept alight by the keepers until the introduction of bottled acetylene gas in 1925. The light operated for 111 years until 1985 when it was turned off for a trial period. It was never turned back on. A sun valve is a flow control activated by sunlight heat which automatically shuts off gas during daylight hours. Relic from the Hovell light run on acetylene from 1925 to 1985Sun valve from the Hovell Pile Lighthovell pile light, south channel, port phillip