Does metal halide work with mercury vapor ballast?

Through research I have found that mercury vapor bulbs can be used in metal halide fixtures but a metal halide bulb cannot be used in a mercury vapor fixture. Co-worker says that's hog wash and knows a number of electricians that use MH bulbs in a MV fixture with supposedly good results.

Also to know is, are multi vapor and metal halide bulbs interchangeable?

There is no difference between metal halide and multi vapor lamps because both names describe the same form of lamp. Metal halide or multi vapor lamps are a form of the light source that creates light via passing an electric arc through a gaseous mixture of mercury vapor and vapor of some metal halides.

Also Know, how does a mercury vapor ballast work? The mercury vapor lamp works by creating an electric current to mercury vapor within a sealed glass jacket. The bulb is comprised of an inner tube, called the arc tube, and an outer jacket (or bulb). Using too small of a ballast will result in lower light output and can shorten the life of the bulb.

Similarly one may ask, what is the difference between metal halide and mercury vapor?

The metal halide lamp is very similar in construction to the mercury vapor lamp. The major difference is that the metal halide lamp contains various metal halide additives in addition to mercury vapor. Ballasts designed specifically for metal halide lamps must be used.

Does metal halide contain mercury?

With a metal halide lamp, that mix of gases will normally include mercury, xenon or argon, and a variety of metal halides. Metal halides are produced as a result of combining halogen with a metal.

Will a metal halide bulb work in a high pressure sodium fixture?

Conversion bulbs allow you to run HPS bulbs on a MH ballast, or a MH bulb on a HPS ballast. An igniter is an electrical component that ignites the sodium in the HPS bulb. All electrical ballasts can fire MH bulbs, yet only Switchable or HPS ballasts can fire HPS bulbs--unless you get a conversion bulb.

Which is better metal halide or high pressure sodium?

High pressure sodium lamps last longer than metal halide; they also produce more lumens per watt. Because of their mercury content, neither type of lamp is particularly good for the environment. Metal halide lamps produce more of a glare compared to high pressure sodium lamps.

Can I use a LED bulb in a mercury vapor fixture?

Replacement for 175 watt mercury vapor with LED bulbs, halogen lamps retrofit advantages. Retrofit is a direct replacement of the conventional halogen or high pressure sodium bulbs with LED lamps. Instead, LED light is toxic-free that is more environmentally friendly.

What are mercury vapor lights used for?

Mercury vapor lamps are bright, long-lasting light sources that are often used to light large areas such as streets, gyms, sports arenas, banks, or stores. The bulbs have an inner quartz tube containing the mercury vapor discharge.

What is a multi vapor bulb?

A direct replacement for High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps, GE ChromaFit™ Multi-Vapor® lamps provide improved crisp white color without expensive ballast or fixture change. The advantages of metal halide lighting for HPS users.

How many volts does a HID ballast put out?

Like street lamps and fluorescent bulbs, HID headlamps require a high voltage ignition source to start. It typically takes up to 25,000 volts to start a xenon bulb, but only about 80 to 90 volts to keep it operating once the initial arc has formed.

Are metal halide bulbs dangerous?

Normal use of Metal Halide lighting requires that they are very rarely, if ever shut off. The constant heat takes its toll on the glass of the inner and outer cone, causing them to deteriorate and possibly break. Another danger of these lamps is the possibility of the leakage of Ultraviolet Rays.

Is metal halide better for veg?

HPS is about twice as electrically efficient as metal halide. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is what really matters to plant growth, and delivery of usable PAR is better with HPS than metal halide. The enhanced blue in metal halide does not lead to increased plant growth compared to HPS in the “veg” stage.

Can you put a HPS bulb in a MH ballast?

A HPS bulb will NOT fire in a MH ballast. -HPS bulbs use an igniter to light whereas MH bulbs dont. HPS ballasts are built with the igniter & MH ballasts are not. HPS bulbs wont fire in an MH ballast because it has no ignoter.

Do metal halide bulbs require ballast?

Metal halide (MH) ballasts are required to start the lamp, regulate the lamp starting and lamp operating currents, and provide appropriate sustaining supply voltage. MH lamp voltage typically increases over time, and the ballast must continue to provide sufficient voltage to the lamp as it ages.

What is the difference between HPS and MH ballast?

The HPS has a red or orange tint to it and is used primarily in the flowering phase of your plant's life. The MH bulb focuses on more of a blue spectrum and is used primarily for the vegetative stage of plant life.

What color light is metal halide?

Metal halide lamps generate a very cool white light. They are available in color temperatures as low as 3000K. Some metal halides are available with extremely cool color temperatures up to 20,000K.

Is HPS best for flowering?

Ironically, most HID grow light enthusiasts recommend using both MH and HPS grow lights. MH grow lights (metal halide) are suited best for vegetative growth and HPS grow lights are superior for flowering.

What is the difference between halogen and metal halide?

Traditional halogen lamps use a filament which heats up as the electricity passes through. Metal Halide and Sodium Vapour are discharge lamps, much like a fluorescent tube, where the gas is the lamp is glowing, rather than a filament like with halogen.

What is the difference between metal halide and ceramic metal halide?

Lets take a look at a Metal Halide Lamp. A CMH lamp has a different emitter than a normal metal halide lamp, which is built of Quartz. Inside a CMH there is a ceramic component. So the difference is this - A ceramic tube is able to withstand much higher temperatures.

How long should a ballast last?

about 20 years

Does Mercury glow in the dark?

When a mercury vapor lamp is first turned on, it will produce a dark blue glow because only a small amount of the mercury is ionized and the gas pressure in the arc tube is very low, so much of the light is produced in the ultraviolet mercury bands.

How much does it cost to run a mercury vapor light?

your existing 175 watt mercury bulb uses the electricity it is rated at, 175 watts. add in the electric used by the ballast etc, and the total is probly 200 watts. running 200 watts for 5 hours is equivalent to 1000 watts for 1 hour, or 1 kWh. your electric probly costs about 10 cents per kWh.