How often do you replace your bulbs???
- Thread starter pftek
- Start date
Most have a chart that showsd how fast the lumens degrade, but it depends more on usage. A flowering bulb is only on for 12 hours a day, so it will live longer than the same bulb in 18/6. The short answer is HPS every year (lumens will drop around 10% after 12 months of 12/12) and lumen maintenance on a MH is shorter, so every 8-10 momths. In veg I try to replace the halides twice a year. The lost lumens do really make a difference in yields, but I don't know how or if digital ballasts have any effect on lumen maintenance.
every 6 months or so.
No, they aren't linear, but there are so many variables that it's a cheap one to eliminate as a variable, at least.
FWIW, I recently measured the output of four GE600HPS lamps that were flowering in my main room over the course of 4 cycles. I compared the readings to my initial measurements and saw a ~5% loss in output.
I also measured them in a digital and a magnetic ballast, and saw ~10% difference in output between the two.
Simon
I also measured them in a digital and a magnetic ballast, and saw ~10% difference in output between the two.
Simon
B
Bud Bug
I'd give it three crops and after that change the bulbs. Years ago I found a site from one of the manufacturers that stated HID bulbs for plants will lose quite a bit of plant usable light after ten months of usage.
You could probably lower the lights but at $40 for 1000W every three crops is a pretty good ROI.
Oh and if you take out the quarts filament you can use it like a knife sharpening steel.
You could probably lower the lights but at $40 for 1000W every three crops is a pretty good ROI.
Oh and if you take out the quarts filament you can use it like a knife sharpening steel.
G
Guest 18340
Exactly how I do, every three 12/12 cycles.
GanjaPharma
Member
i buy clears for 22 bucks a piece, and switch em out every 3-4 months. i think thats better than buying 100 dollar bulbs, and trying to squeeze a year out of em.
