Do mh bulbs lose the initial brightness after a few days?
- Thread starter steveng
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T.Huxley
Well-Known Member
Does the digital ballast have a dimming feature? Are you sure it's not dimmed? Anyway, as I could be wrong, I'm pretty sure a MH bulb doesn't lose strength, it just clunks out. (could be wrong)..Also, I highly doubt that it would be less bright after only a few days, that doesn't add up. Also, you may want to give it a few minutes on before you make that call. When my light first comes on, it takes about 10 minutes to achieve optimal brightness. Let it warm up a bit.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
Bulbs degrade in output (less lumens produced as time goes by) but not that quickly. Test your outlet to see if you are getting a full 115V (or 110 will carry it).
Totalimmortal363
Member
^^This. Your eyes have adjusted to the high output light.
I can speak from the saltwater reef hobby as far as degradation, we change our bulbs every year or so as the bulb degrades and doesn't give the same results. Six months for CFL bulbs.
I can speak from the saltwater reef hobby as far as degradation, we change our bulbs every year or so as the bulb degrades and doesn't give the same results. Six months for CFL bulbs.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
Bulb degradation occurs gradually and is detectable using a luxmeter (cheap on Amazon - about $30). Bulb life is given in hours - usually listed on the box it came in. The HPS bulb I just bought has a service life of about 80K hours I believe. Lumen output is given as 140,000 lumens total and as time goes by that figure drops so light penetration through the canopy begins to suffer = less bud.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
Luxmeters for ANY grow light. I do replace the bulbs before they die. You will notice a decrease in bud production as time goes by using the same light. Again luxmeters are not just for hydro by any means.
Slipon
Well-Known Member
I must agree, look at the box it comes in, most have a life time on 50-90K hrs depending on quality aso. but will loose effect over time ..
a rule of thump is to replace it every year, agin depending on how much you run it of course, but its atleast good for 4-5 grow
I keep a eye on my 600W
80$ light meter, was on sale for 40$, got it as a freebee after spending +300$ in my local shop, not that accurate, but do the work ..
a rule of thump is to replace it every year, agin depending on how much you run it of course, but its atleast good for 4-5 grow
I keep a eye on my 600W
80$ light meter, was on sale for 40$, got it as a freebee after spending +300$ in my local shop, not that accurate, but do the work ..
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navyfighter04
Active Member
Im going with that one. Its your imagination. Yes the bulb will slowly degrade. But not that fast. Im taking it that you are just getting used to the light, and as your plants grow its making it feel like the light is dimmer.
bottletoke
Well-Known Member
Brand new industrial/commercial mh bulbs will appear to lose 10% their brightness after several days once the initial burn in is complete. I thought grow bulbs had the burn in completed prior to packaging ....... what bulb are you using?
Alexander Supertramp
Well-Known Member
I was just reading an article the other day that gave stated at about 10,000 use hours an HID lights fall to about 70% of the initial output, which is a good time to replace the bulb.
bottletoke
Well-Known Member
Burn in is when the bulb changes its color from white (whiter) when new to more blue or pink/orange. It doesn't actually get dimmer(lose lumens), it just appears to from the color change. Old lamps will lose lumens.