Metal Halide bulb question.

Want Them All · 12-07-2009, 02:34 PM

Is it possible to tell if it's a used one? I have a chance to buy a 400 W bulb for cheap, seller says it's brand new. Are there tell tale signs if it's used, even if it's barely used (as stated by seller), or if it's had thousands of hours on it.

Thanks

Steven Valys · 12-07-2009, 05:58 PM

Is it a Mogul base or HQI? It's always a chance buying items cheap that are "new." I would imagine the only true test is a reading of the color temperature. For the most part, they will start looking pink towards the end of their life.

Although, a cheap product may not show a true reading after the break in period either.

Spend a little more, get better quality, and buy from a reputable source.

Want Them All · 12-07-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Valys

Is it a Mogul base or HQI? It's always a chance buying items cheap that are "new." I would imagine the only true test is a reading of the color temperature. For the most part, they will start looking pink towards the end of their life.

Although, a cheap product may not show a true reading after the break in period either.

Spend a little more, get better quality, and buy from a reputable source.

I don't know what Mogul or HQI mean. It's a made in the USA Phillips mercury MH bulb, that's all the info I could see printed on the bulb itself.

Steven Valys · 12-07-2009, 07:38 PM

Mogul base is screw in, HQI is double end push in. Are you sure it's metal halide and not Mercury vapor? Can you link the for sale add?

Want Them All · 12-07-2009, 09:57 PM

Seller is in my neighborhood, so there was no ad. He had a garage sale, I saw the bulb and inquired about it. I was able to take a couple photos. As you can see, it's the screw-in type. The wordings indicate that the bulb is MH. Thanks,

The Hollyberry Lady · 12-07-2009, 10:13 PM

If the mercury tube inside the center of the bulb, isn't perfectly white - it's a used bulb. If it's black or grey, it is not new.

For example...

See how the tube in my bulb is only white a quarter of the way up?...

This is a bulb that's been used for 4 months - needs replacing as far as I am concerned. The tube should be solidly white when it's new.

Hope this helps.

: )

Want Them All · 12-07-2009, 11:42 PM

Thanks H. Lady, the one I'm looking at is NOT solid white all the way, it has some transparency in the middle part. I'll pass on this "deal".

sandy0225 · 12-08-2009, 07:45 AM

It also depends on how cheap you can get it! They are like $25 new. If you have a fixture to put it in and just want it for a backup in case your primary bulb goes out, say in the middle of the night or during a snow storm, go for it. Or if you're just starting out and want to try it but not invest a lot of money. Wipe all the fingerprints off it before you start it up. Skin oils can cause the bulbs to go out prematurely too.

Bob · 12-08-2009, 08:00 AM

WTA, the buld you pictured is a 400 not a 600MH but you probably knew that. Also something to consider which is good in this case is that the " U" at the end of MH 400/U means it is universal meaning it can be used in a horizontal or vertical fixture. Some are made to only be used in one or the other position and will indicate that as well. I'm with Sandy that if he isn't giving it away super cheap just go get a new one. As a spare though......great idea. Now that I think of it I should get a couple of new ones at this point and keep the current 2 I'm using as spares.

jeffreyp · 12-08-2009, 10:40 AM

What also comes into the equation is what you are growing. For example, I had success growing Banana plants in a basement (nice and warm because the furnace was there too) only used fluorescent shop lights.

400 Watt Metal Halide Plant Grow Lights, Metal Halide 400 Watt Grow Lighting System, Metal Halide 400 Watt Plant Grow Ballast, 400W Metal Halide Grow Light Supplies, Metal Halide 400 Watt Indoor Grow Lights

.

Want Them All · 12-08-2009, 02:17 PM

Thanks for all who replied. This is not a backup bulb, I just built a frame (covered with reflective insulation) to let my plumerias grow inside the garage. In addition to the plumies, a jackfruit seedling and some papayas will find their way there too. This is my 1st time doing this, got a 1000W system, in a 6' x 6' x 8' enclosure. There'll be an oscillating fan in there as well, everything on timer for 12 hours/day. Hopefully I won't burn the house down, since I'll be away for a few days a week during the next couple weeks.

serial_killer · 12-21-2009, 02:12 AM

Hopefully it was fine, when I first started using HID lights I was scared of fires too, I'm over it now though.

A lot of the newer bulbs (Hortilux I know, others I imagine) uses special ink on their bulbs that will discolor after a few hours of use. Of course that only helps you if you have a known unused bulb to compare it to.

Want Them All · 12-21-2009, 12:22 PM

I still walk out to the garage every night to check, just to put my mind at ease (about the fire risk). Everything seems to be working great. I placed a 5 gallon bucket in there to provide some humidity. The fan is on timer 6 times a day, 30 minutes each time. I also just picked up 4 more plumerias over the weekend.

serial_killer · 12-22-2009, 05:13 PM

This is my brand new 400W MH, just bought it today, posting it for comparison to the used ones above.

The Hollyberry Lady · 05-20-2010, 11:02 PM

You sure that's new, Serial Killer? It looks like the mercury tube is cloudy, indicating it's been used.

Someone mentioned fire...

Only use the proper wattage bulbs that match the exact wattage of the ballast, as using different watt bulbs in incorrect ballasts is as good as setting the fire yourself!

Important and worth noting...

If you're using your halide bulbs at 18 hours a day, they should be changed in 3-6 months. If you notice that your plants are dwindling along - it's time for a bulb change. When your bulb is brand new, back your plants off a bit until they get used to the new intense light. You'll soon see new growth shoots everywhere....

Also, always be sure to write the date that you purchased your bulbs so you know exactly when to replace them. Replace old used up bulbs, if you want your plants to grow terrifically.

: )

Abnshrek · 05-21-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

You sure that's new, Serial Killer? It looks like the mercury tube is cloudy, indicating it's been used. : )

I second that motion on used, That light has seen some heat in its day.

12-07-2009, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,675 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Metal Halide bulb question. Is it possible to tell if it's a used one? I have a chance to buy a 400 W bulb for cheap, seller says it's brand new. Are there tell tale signs if it's used, even if it's barely used (as stated by seller), or if it's had thousands of hours on it. Thanks __________________ Last edited by Want Them All : 12-08-2009 at 02:12 PM.

12-07-2009, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steven Valys Steven Valys's Photo Gallery Location: Intersection of RI, CT, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Steven Valys Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 77 BananaBucks : 11,381 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 92 Times Was Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 244 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Is it a Mogul base or HQI? It's always a chance buying items cheap that are "new." I would imagine the only true test is a reading of the color temperature. For the most part, they will start looking pink towards the end of their life. Although, a cheap product may not show a true reading after the break in period either. Spend a little more, get better quality, and buy from a reputable source. __________________ Steven Valys

12-07-2009, 07:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Steven Valys Steven Valys's Photo Gallery Location: Intersection of RI, CT, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Steven Valys Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 77 BananaBucks : 11,381 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 92 Times Was Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 244 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Mogul base is screw in, HQI is double end push in. Are you sure it's metal halide and not Mercury vapor? Can you link the for sale add? __________________ Steven Valys

12-07-2009, 09:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,675 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Seller is in my neighborhood, so there was no ad. He had a garage sale, I saw the bulb and inquired about it. I was able to take a couple photos. As you can see, it's the screw-in type. The wordings indicate that the bulb is MH. Thanks, __________________

12-07-2009, 10:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,297,403 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. If the mercury tube inside the center of the bulb, isn't perfectly white - it's a used bulb. If it's black or grey, it is not new. For example... See how the tube in my bulb is only white a quarter of the way up?... This is a bulb that's been used for 4 months - needs replacing as far as I am concerned. The tube should be solidly white when it's new. Hope this helps. : )

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

12-07-2009, 11:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,675 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Thanks H. Lady, the one I'm looking at is NOT solid white all the way, it has some transparency in the middle part. I'll pass on this "deal". __________________

12-08-2009, 07:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 354,793 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. It also depends on how cheap you can get it! They are like $25 new. If you have a fixture to put it in and just want it for a backup in case your primary bulb goes out, say in the middle of the night or during a snow storm, go for it. Or if you're just starting out and want to try it but not invest a lot of money. Wipe all the fingerprints off it before you start it up. Skin oils can cause the bulbs to go out prematurely too. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

12-08-2009, 08:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 205,494 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. WTA, the buld you pictured is a 400 not a 600MH but you probably knew that. Also something to consider which is good in this case is that the " U" at the end of MH 400/U means it is universal meaning it can be used in a horizontal or vertical fixture. Some are made to only be used in one or the other position and will indicate that as well. I'm with Sandy that if he isn't giving it away super cheap just go get a new one. As a spare though......great idea. Now that I think of it I should get a couple of new ones at this point and keep the current 2 I'm using as spares. __________________

12-08-2009, 10:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
jeffreyp Zone 10, South Florida jeffreyp's Photo Gallery Location: Royal Palm Beach Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 870 BananaBucks : 140,158 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 30 Times Was Thanked 590 Times in 298 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. What also comes into the equation is what you are growing. For example, I had success growing Banana plants in a basement (nice and warm because the furnace was there too) only used fluorescent shop lights. 400 Watt Metal Halide Plant Grow Lights, Metal Halide 400 Watt Grow Lighting System, Metal Halide 400 Watt Plant Grow Ballast, 400W Metal Halide Grow Light Supplies, Metal Halide 400 Watt Indoor Grow Lights .

12-08-2009, 02:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,675 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Thanks for all who replied. This is not a backup bulb, I just built a frame (covered with reflective insulation) to let my plumerias grow inside the garage. In addition to the plumies, a jackfruit seedling and some papayas will find their way there too. This is my 1st time doing this, got a 1000W system, in a 6' x 6' x 8' enclosure. There'll be an oscillating fan in there as well, everything on timer for 12 hours/day. Hopefully I won't burn the house down, since I'll be away for a few days a week during the next couple weeks. __________________

12-21-2009, 02:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
serial_killer Igrow Hydro serial_killer's Photo Gallery Location: Columbus Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Dan Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 28 BananaBucks : 15,437 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 16 Times Was Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. Hopefully it was fine, when I first started using HID lights I was scared of fires too, I'm over it now though. A lot of the newer bulbs (Hortilux I know, others I imagine) uses special ink on their bulbs that will discolor after a few hours of use. Of course that only helps you if you have a known unused bulb to compare it to.

12-21-2009, 12:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,675 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. I still walk out to the garage every night to check, just to put my mind at ease (about the fire risk). Everything seems to be working great. I placed a 5 gallon bucket in there to provide some humidity. The fan is on timer 6 times a day, 30 minutes each time. I also just picked up 4 more plumerias over the weekend. __________________

12-22-2009, 05:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
serial_killer Igrow Hydro serial_killer's Photo Gallery Location: Columbus Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Dan Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 28 BananaBucks : 15,437 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 16 Times Was Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. This is my brand new 400W MH, just bought it today, posting it for comparison to the used ones above.

05-20-2010, 11:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,297,403 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Metal Halide bulb question. You sure that's new, Serial Killer? It looks like the mercury tube is cloudy, indicating it's been used. Someone mentioned fire... Only use the proper wattage bulbs that match the exact wattage of the ballast, as using different watt bulbs in incorrect ballasts is as good as setting the fire yourself! Important and worth noting... If you're using your halide bulbs at 18 hours a day, they should be changed in 3-6 months. If you notice that your plants are dwindling along - it's time for a bulb change. When your bulb is brand new, back your plants off a bit until they get used to the new intense light. You'll soon see new growth shoots everywhere.... Also, always be sure to write the date that you purchased your bulbs so you know exactly when to replace them. Replace old used up bulbs, if you want your plants to grow terrifically. : )

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wosleya Bulb	Plantaseeds	Other Plants	1	01-25-2013 07:41 AM
Worsleya Bulb	Plantaseeds	Other Plants	7	12-31-2010 04:36 AM
Variegated Banana Musa Ornata Roxb bulb	silla--glamour	Species Bananas	13	03-14-2010 08:37 PM
Metal Halide vs. HPS	fergus banana	Container Grown Banana Plants	11	06-08-2009 02:02 PM
Worsleya Bulb	Plantaseeds	Other Plants	0	01-08-2009 09:40 AM