OLD AGE IN BULBS?

[T.H.Cammo]

I started out (years ago) changing my HID bulbs after two grows. At some point I went to three grows on a set of bulbs, and stayed there every since. I have read (on this forum) that some growers do as many as five grows per set of bulbs - which sounds a little much! So that got me wondering; how do the bulbs perform once they get "too old".

Do they just "peter out" and you harvest a little less each time? Or do they "crap out" ,big time, and you really notice a major decline in your harvest, all at once? I guess it really makes a difference! I've always just done it, because that's what you're supposed to do. But if the bulbs just "peter out", it makes sense to let the bulbs "tell" you whene they are ready to be changed.

I'm not a commercial grower, so it's not a matter of Expense vs. Output. It's just a matter of not spending a bunch of money unneccasarily. Am I missing something here? Any and all comments are welcome1

 

[PJ Diaz]

If you buy good lamps they will last a while.

 

[hotrodharley]

It’s the number of hours they’re used and yes they do degrade. But not after two grows. Most have service life of 24,000 hours.

 

[T.H.Cammo]

It’s the number of hours they’re used and yes they do degrade. But not after two grows. Most have service life of 24,000 hours.

I have always considered that "24,000 hours" claim as being a statement about mundane illumination - not so much about good old PAR lighting. Will an HID growlight really deliver 24,000 hours of service. I have been buying way too many bulbs!

But tell me, do they "peter out" slowly - or "crap out" rather quickly? Or is it just one long degrading slide from the git-go?

 

[spliffendz]

Do you use a par/lux meter?

 

[hotrodharley]

I have always considered that "24,000 hours" claim as being a statement about mundane illumination - not so much about good old PAR lighting. Will an HID growlight really deliver 24,000 hours of service. I have been buying way too many bulbs!

But tell me, do they "peter out" slowly - or "crap out" rather quickly? Or is it just one long degrading slide from the git-go?

Oh no they start degrading the first strike. But I’ve used older bulbs on seedlings and clones and they work just fine. I replace bulbs about every 5th grow as far as flower.

 

[budolskie]

Do you use a par/lux meter?

I have just got a meter other day and unsure how close to get my lights any help would be great please

 

[spliffendz]

I have just got a meter other day and unsure how close to get my lights any help would be great please

you use your elbow to gauge the heat from the bulb, if elbow burns, that means plants burn

 

[spliffendz]

you use your elbow to gauge the heat from the bulb, if elbow burns, that means plants burn

I have no idea how they work I mean

 

[go go kid]

you use your elbow to gauge the heat from the bulb, if elbow burns, that means plants burn

out of the blue question. Do you hasve kids?

 

[spliffendz]

out of the blue question. Do you hasve kids?

no no kids

 

[go go kid]

no no kids

right, it just thats a test for bath water temp for babies, never herd it used for testing light b 4. thanx for the great idea

 

[T.H.Cammo]

Oh no they start degrading the first strike. But I’ve used older bulbs on seedlings and clones and they work just fine. I replace bulbs about every 5th grow as far as flower.

Cool, ok, that's good to know - thank you!

 

[T.H.Cammo]

Do you use a par/lux meter?

No, but I probably should.

 

[hotrodharley]

No, but I probably should.

You absolutely don’t need any light meter. Save your money for more and better lights.

 

[T.H.Cammo]

You absolutely don’t need any light meter. Save your money for more and better lights.

That's good to know as well. Thanks again!

 

[spliffendz]

well i meant to use on the bulbs to see how much light they were dropping over time, but i don't even know what you would use for that

 

[T.H.Cammo]

well i meant to use on the bulbs to see how much light they were dropping over time, but i don't even know what you would use for that

I hear what you're saying, that's what I was thinking too. I suppose that you can just tell when your yield shrivels up, it's time to change those bulbs.

 

[Star Dog]

I hear what you're saying, that's what I was thinking too. I suppose that you can just tell when your yield shrivels up, it's time to change those bulbs.

It's to late then your time, effort and money is spent, at the price of a new bulb I like to replace them every grow, two at push.
For the price of 3/4 grams of weed is it worth the risk.
Sylvania grolux.

 

[T.H.Cammo]

Wow! That's kind of a wide spread - from 1 (or 2) to 5 grows per bulb change. Let's hear from some of you other people out there; let's have everyboby chime in and say how many grows you do per bulb change. And maybe even explain a little about your stratigy.