Bulb lifespan?

[BioWarfare]

So I had a grow 2 years ago or there abouts, I used a 600w hps bulb and it got about 1400 hours of use, but then when the grow ended to put all of the equipment away and it's not been used since.

Just started another grow, the bulb hasn't been used beyond that 1400 hours, but it is 2 years old (unused in that time) will it still be okay? Is a bulbs lifespan in terms of 'used' hours or 'total'? I read people saying to replace after a year or however many hours, but is this in terms of actual use, or just lying around?

Cheers.

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

Used hours,but with that said I replace my bulbs every two grows.

 

[BioWarfare]

So it should be basically as good as it was? or should I get a new bulb you think?

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

It won't be as good as a brand spanking new bulb,but it won't be shitty either.

 

[dannyboy602]

The light dims but it's hard to see the dif unless u have a meter or another bulb to compare the difference. Just use it up till it explodes

 

[mr2shim]

 

[Lo Budget]

^^^ Enlightening and informative. MH sucks when put in that perspective.

 

[BioWarfare]

This says 'used hours', so I'm right in thinking that having it in storage but not being used, it wont effect the output much? Like I said, one grow then stored for 2 years or so.

Either way I'll probably need a new one after this grow, so I got myself a Grolux 600w to replace my Powerplant 600 =)

 

[Dr. Who]

You'll be fine with that bulb.
The basic difference between high end "grow" bulbs and the "industrial" bulbs from GE, Sylvania, Philips and Lutron are the amount of dollars you spend on the NAME!
I back this statement up with home testing with my light meter and find that they have VERY,VERY little difference in lumin output!
I find no meaningful measurable difference in end results!!!!! (Testing by Iron Labs)
I find that some name brands fade out faster then the industrial's!!!!
I pay LESS $ for 6 1K HPS (a case) industrial bulbs then you would for 1 "name brand grow bulb".

Just thought I might share that info!

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

While standard bulbs do the trick (I use them) the high dollar bulbs have a better spectrum spread and higher PAR rating.

 

[mr2shim]

While standard bulbs do the trick (I use them) the high dollar bulbs have a better spectrum spread and higher PAR rating.

I pull consistent 6-7oz dried with an industrial Sylvania 400w HPS. I really don't think buying a "grow" lamp would make a significant difference. Actually I do have a "grow" lamp, it's a 400w MH and truthfully the 250w CFL I'm running is outdoing it. Plant is bigger under the CFL.

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

I use the standard $20 400w HPS bulb from my local hydro shop and get 3/4 of a pound bare bulb vert in a 3x3x6 tent.

 

[mr2shim]

I use the standard $20 400w HPS bulb from my local hydro shop and get 3/4 of a pound bare bulb vert in a 3x3x6 tent.

That's impressive. Unfortunately I don't have the space and grow only one plant.

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

5 plants only too

 

[Dr. Who]

While standard bulbs do the trick (I use them) the high dollar bulbs have a better spectrum spread and higher PAR rating.

That's what they SAY (manufacturers)....I am not going to spend very large dollars on a spectral analyzer to find out......But I still get JUST as good results with my industrial bulbs!
The available amount of PAR lighting (730nm range) from a HPS bulb is limited..period.....In about a cpl a weeks I'm going to run a PAR lighting test with these PAR add on LED's. This will be done WITH a control of the same strain/pheno, from the same mother at the same age of each. 4 plants, each in the test and control area. These are hand picked from 100 clones for as close a uniformity as I can get.

http://www.led4growth.com/All Lighting Products.htm#EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTS
I have 2 of the 20w 730nm LEDs found as the 4th product down the page.

 

[dannyboy602]

Here's a YouTube vid on HID bulb comparisons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgb_Khtqa1Q
Haven't watched it for a while I hope this link still works

 

[Dr. Who]

Yes it does Danny.....Wish they would run an industrial in that test.....Even at 1 1/2 grows, I'm getting a tic over 130,000 lumins with my Sylvania industrial bulbs (measured at 18 inch's from hood glass).