Bought a new LEC 315 bulb but it's scratched.

[ReprobateMind]

I just received a LEC 315w bulb that I ordered. I opened it up and there are two scratches on it. The manufacturers safety warnings say not to use it. Is it safe to use or should I request a refund?

 

[Ca++]

No good, me thinks. Round cylinders can take a lot of expansion related stress. Glass is tough, but you just need score a sheet, for it to know where to break. It's just that foot in the door. The stress riser.

Send pics to whoever. They may play ball.

 

[ReprobateMind]

Yeah, you're correct. I was pretty disappointed when I opened up the package and saw the scratches on it. One is a quarter inch in length and the other is about half an inch. They're scored deep enough that they can be felt when wiping with a microfiber cloth. Should I not use a microfiber cloth to wipe them down?

 

[Ca++]

That sound quite deep, to be snagging some cloth enough to feel it.

I doubt the cloth used makes much difference, unless it's leaving lint all over them. You wouldn't want grease and plastics bubbling away on the glass. I tend to use tissue, though my t-shirt is also on the menu.

 

[ReprobateMind]

So I just got the 2nd shipment for the same order from the same vendor and it included another bad light with loose metal inside the tube. You can lightly shake the bulb and the internal housing bounces around both visibly and audibly. I hope the vendor makes things right. I'll be sure to let icmag know if they don't.

 

[ReprobateMind]

As of right now I can't recommend buying from growgeneration.com. They sent me two bad bulbs out of three from my order. I requested replacement of the bad lights. I received them but they were both damaged upon receipt. So, that is a total of four broken bulbs out of five sent. Whoever packed them for shipping didn't even wrap them in bubble wrap and they were squished into the shipping box. Here is an unboxing video showing the damage to each bulb.

(i.imgur.com/xNIKOt0 )


The first bulb is the 3100K and it is loose from the housing and there is broken metal.
The second bulb is the 4200K and it has broken glass and what appears to be metal shavings inside the tube.

I requested a refund and I will be sure to let Icmag know if they make good on it.

 

[Farmer John]

Looks bad, wouldnt use it for sure. Havent had any problems like that with Adjust-A-Wings bulbs.

 

[ReprobateMind]

They gave me a refund.

/thread

 

[Rocket Soul]

 

[Ca++]

These lamps sound like customer returns. It needs some real junk handling, to scratch them badly. The shop seems to of then continued to treat them with the same degree of respect.

I know a big customers failing 6s were tried with a few lamps, before the whole lot was taken down and returned with zero care for any of it. It was piled in shopping trolleys, at the shop, for anyone interested. These things do happen. I suspect a similar story behind this. Except this shop, is trying to salvage some of it.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

I highly doubt Grow Generation is selling used bulbs. I'm sure it was just unlucky to get 2 scratched bulbs. They've probably had them for years. Grow Generation has been the #1 hydro shop around the Denver area for years. They just recently started the online business.

In fact there was one a few minutes away from me and I live in a small mountain town. They were awesome. Unfortunately for me they sold that location after Covid and then started the online thing. But the Denver location is still open. Just wanted to reassure everyone. Glad the took care of you @ReprobateMind

 

[ReprobateMind]

I highly doubt Grow Generation is selling used bulbs. I'm sure it was just unlucky to get 2 scratched bulbs. They've probably had them for years. Grow Generation has been the #1 hydro shop around the Denver area for years. They just recently started the online business.

In fact there was one a few minutes away from me and I live in a small mountain town. They were awesome. Unfortunately for me they sold that location after Covid and then started the online thing. But the Denver location is still open. Just wanted to reassure everyone. Glad the took care of you @ReprobateMind

They sent me four broken bulbs. It's too bad because I was going to two more hoods, ballasts, and more bulbs from them but now they've lost me as a customer.

 

[ReprobateMind]

I discovered that the Philips 315w 3100K bulb is discontinued. Is there a decent equivalent bulb from another manufacturer that is worth buying?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

They sent me four broken bulbs. It's too bad because I was going to two more hoods, ballasts, and more bulbs from them but now they've lost me as a customer.

That's too bad. I don't blame you. It sucks they stopped making the Philips 3100. That's a sick bulb. Those bulbs grew some frosty nugs.

 

[Ca++]

I don't seem to have any trouble getting the 3100 315. Though I did see some eye watering prices (on Amazon)