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HPS bulb life...
- Thread starter mtbazz
- Start date
Hey Mtbazz, I record my light levels with every new bulb and at every crop rotation. It is a good idea to record this info to tweek your setup. Easiest way to do this is mark a spot and measure your distance to light and use this spot and distance every time. You would be amazed at the info you will gather over time! I change my bulbs at 15% drop off! I have found that 5%-10% can be lost very quickly, depending on bulb manufacturer. It is also a good idea to check your ballasts in the same way! I used a freeby bulb i got with a lighting set, Its the only time I ever use that bulb. Some of the data i have gathered over the years would really shock people. I know my hydro shop guy was shocked when I returned a bulb and said that it was defective! I had bought 2 bulbs and checked both of them and one had A 25% drop in output at first fire up! You need to leave light on for a few hours before checking also. Now to answer your question, it all depends on the manufacturer on how long a bulb will last. Hortilux bulbs are the champs for actual grow bulbs, My last set lasted almost a year! I have use Hortilux, Sunmaster, agrosun, and a few others! A friend uses ushio bulbs and i check them for him and they are working on 8 months so far. Most are good for 6 months with no issues in drop off! Make sure you recheck your ballast before buying a new bulb. B safe
What wattage?
50 - 150w? Buy them by the case and change every grow. You'll be happy with that for sure.
250w and higher? Gonna depend on the manufacturer. Anywhere from 4 to 8 months. Personally I wouldn't grow with a lamp older than 8 months, especially in the 600-1000w range.
A good light meter will help like Tokerace pointed out... never owned a good one myself.
Stay Safe!
50 - 150w? Buy them by the case and change every grow. You'll be happy with that for sure.
250w and higher? Gonna depend on the manufacturer. Anywhere from 4 to 8 months. Personally I wouldn't grow with a lamp older than 8 months, especially in the 600-1000w range.
A good light meter will help like Tokerace pointed out... never owned a good one myself.
Stay Safe!
green thumbs
Member
I would change a 1000w after two runs with it...
Not really sure what you mean by this...how do I recheck my ballast?
schwilly
Member
Good idea to test them for sure.
Many grow shop operators tend towards the scummy side, err, actually most of them in my experience...
Anyways, it has happened where the shop guys will run bulbs in their own setups for a cycle and then sell them as new.
Order direct from source if you're not friendly with a reputable shop.
Many grow shop operators tend towards the scummy side, err, actually most of them in my experience...
Anyways, it has happened where the shop guys will run bulbs in their own setups for a cycle and then sell them as new.
Order direct from source if you're not friendly with a reputable shop.
How long do street lamps get changed out b4 they get dull? HPS bulb last wayyyyy longer then almost all of you have stated... when a bulb is rated for like 24,000+ plus hours.... thats a long long time b4 it needs to be changed out ... use meters to find out for yourself...they old eyeball test is bullshit
???
"It is also a good idea to check your ballasts in the same way! I used a freeby bulb i got with a lighting set, Its the only time I ever use that bulb."
quoted from above.
good luck.
RomulusUSA
Member
What light meters do you guys use?
a year on 12/12 maximum.
Umm... No. The bulbs do.... the spectrum they put out that's optimal for growing doesn't. After a grow or two you'll get lower yields and stretchier plants. When you hit that point... you should have replaced your lamp after the last grow.
Stay Safe!
why switch a bulb out thats 18 + months old that still yields over 2lbs everytime? LolUmm... No. The bulbs do.... the spectrum they put out that's optimal for growing doesn't. After a grow or two you'll get lower yields and stretchier plants. When you hit that point... you should have replaced your lamp after the last grow.
Stay Safe!
Sorry i didnt really explain this to well! I keep a new junk bulb around for testing my ballasts. When i get a new ballast I install the test bulb and fire it up! Take my readings from my standard points(marked spot and distance) Record this reading and keep it. So any time that you change your bulb just install the test bulb and compare to your base reading. When your ballast is starting to decline you now know it!
( I have never had a ballast go bad or drop off but have heard of it happening)
Romulus usa i think i have an old hanna instruments light meter have had it forever but I sent it in and had it calibrated!
B safe
Because you could get 2.2+ you never know til you try!!
Sorry peeps I was in Quality Control for a very long time so its kinda breed into me! B safe
Last edited:
LetTimmySmoke
Member
so what is a good brand of light meter to get?
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thank yous
(in order of appearance)
mtbazz
TokerAce
GreenMAX
Hydro-Soil
scwilly
roll the credits
thank yous
(in order of appearance)
mtbazz
TokerAce
GreenMAX
Hydro-Soil
scwilly
U
Ultra Current
Bulb lifespan may also depend on type of ballast. The electronic ballasts may add life compared to magnetic ballasts. Regardless thigh I change lamps every 9 months or so.
I always thought digi ballasts burn lamps brighter than mag ballasts & lamps need changing sooner?
anyway i run a lamp 3 full cycles, then rather than disgarding it use it for at least another 2 veg cycles if not 3 & use a new lamp for bloom.
anyway i run a lamp 3 full cycles, then rather than disgarding it use it for at least another 2 veg cycles if not 3 & use a new lamp for bloom.
Lamps are soooo cheap compared to what you lose from harvest.
Would people pay attention more if I used the word loose incorrectly? Everyone else seems to. *shrug*
Would people pay attention more if I used the word loose incorrectly? Everyone else seems to. *shrug*
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Landrace sativas suited to USDA 9b (subtropical) with rain and high RH into October- Latest: RingtailCanyon
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Latest posts
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Landrace sativas suited to USDA 9b (subtropical) with rain and high RH into October
- Latest: RingtailCanyon
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