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

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.

Re: Metal Halide bulb question.
 

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.

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?

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,

Re: Metal Halide bulb question.
 

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".

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.

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.

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

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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.

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.

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. :woohoonaner:

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.

Re: Metal Halide bulb question.
 

Re: Metal Halide bulb question.
 

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