HPS bulb structural integrity?

[who dat is]

I have a new HPS bulb that I want to be using soon but I noticed what looks to be a small defect/blemish on the exterior bulb surface. I was wondering if this is a structural defect or an aesthetic blemish. I run these things vertically barebulb so I am very concerned about the structural integrity of the bulb. Am I over thinking this and it is simply fine or is this something to worry about? It is a new bulb and I could probably return it if necessary but would rather not fool with it if possible. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Hank Hemp]

If I had bought them local in a store I'd take them back. Mailorder I don't know what I'd do.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

If it was a super cheap bulb I'd say you get what you pay for, if it was a high priced bulb I'd return it, high price should be high quality.

You really don't want it to blow up or break because they contain mercury.

 

[stoned-trout]

I have had a few like that.. never had any issues but I ran hoods and didn't notice till I was changing em out.....

 

[Dropped Cat]

HPS are all hand made, irregularities are bound to show up
from time to time. They are not sold to be used without an
enclosure of some kind, so its our risk, natch.

Make sure your safety protocols are followed, thermal/overload
protection, fire suppression, etc.

And always keep a spare bulb on hand, right?

 

[who dat is]

Really spendy bulb and they already had lackluster turnaround from me ordering to when the bulb shipped. Poor communication with the manufacturer as well. That's why I was hoping to avoid all that BS.

Thanks for all the feedback though guys, keep it coming!

 

[Jhhnn]

It really shouldn't be an issue. I ran a dual arc with a similar blemish for a year, saved it as a spare.

 

[GrowingHappynes]

It's just an indention from when the glass was molded. It will be fine. Although I advise keeping all hid bulbs enclosed. I've done maintenance on tons of hid fixtures and crazy stuff happens.

 

[rives]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it in an enclosed fixture, but I sure as hell wouldn't run it bare bulb. As the financial guys like to say "Past performance is no guarantee of future results".

 

[Jhhnn]

HPS are all hand made, irregularities are bound to show up
from time to time. They are not sold to be used without an
enclosure of some kind, so its our risk, natch.

Make sure your safety protocols are followed, thermal/overload
protection, fire suppression, etc.

And always keep a spare bulb on hand, right?

Not completely accurate. Some HPS & some MH lamps are open fixture rated. One example-

http://www.eyehortilux.com/products/htl-hps/SystemReqs/lu1000bhtlen/66785

 

[who dat is]

Thanks guys, bare bulb or not at all. Hence the concern for the bulb. Bout to roll out crawlspace 3.0

 

[Dropped Cat]

Not completely accurate. Some HPS & some MH lamps are open fixture rated. One example-

http://www.eyehortilux.com/products/htl-hps/SystemReqs/lu1000bhtlen/66785

I slouch corrected.

 

[Jhhnn]

I slouch corrected.

Heh. Gave me a chuckle. My industrial mantenance buddy, who services a facility with hundreds of MH & fluorescent fixtures tells me that catastrophic lamp failures are rare, even rarer when they're swapped on a schedule, not run to failure. The smart answer doesn't change- Open fixtures need open rated bulbs, even if others will fire in the socket. They're easy to spot because of the extended center mogul base contact.

I like enclosed fixtures, for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that open bulbs will burn the shit out of you, instantaneously.

 

[who dat is]

Thanks again for the input guys. I got the other bulb up and running and it fired up just fine. Everything is fine right now and I'm hoping it will stay that way.

 

[who dat is]

Fingers crossed, it's the bulb on the left.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

Nice new room Who Dat, nice and spacious.

 

[who dat is]

Nice new room Who Dat, nice and spacious.

Thanks Haze. Definitely a constantly evolving project. Going to be crawlspace 4.0 real soon too.

 

[BlindDate]

I've run hundreds of bulbs that have had obvious blemishes on the surface. I've even had bulbs with bits of glass rattling inside them. Never had a problem with these cheap bulbs. Having said that, today I will only buy premium bulbs (Hortilux, GE LUCALOX, etc) since the PAR output converts into weight far above the price of a bulb. Also, DON'T BELIEVE INTERNET CLAIMS ON SPECTRUM AND OUTPUT for these no name brands. You know that General Electric, Philips, Iwasaki, Sylvania are not going to lie to you.

 

[who dat is]

I've run hundreds of bulbs that have had obvious blemishes on the surface. I've even had bulbs with bits of glass rattling inside them. Never had a problem with these cheap bulbs. Having said that, today I will only buy premium bulbs (Hortilux, GE LUCALOX, etc) since the PAR output converts into weight far above the price of a bulb. Also, DON'T BELIEVE INTERNET CLAIMS ON SPECTRUM AND OUTPUT for these no name brands. You know that General Electric, Philips, Iwasaki, Sylvania are not going to lie to you.

Thanks for chiming in. This isn't a low quality, no name bulb though. I didn't want to come out of the gate name bashing and have it not be an issue.

 

[BlindDate]

Based on the picture, I'll guess Lumatek or Digimax?? Those ARE no name bulbs.